- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
- 7
- Format
- Medium Format
Hello APUG,
I wanted to introduce myself, I am a photographer located just outside of Detroit, Michigan. My focus is on documentary and commercial photography but I have a soft spot for world portraits (Steve McCurry) and confrontation photography (James Nachtwey).
Being young (currently 22) I have shot digital for almost as long as I have shot film, but am feeling the urge to return to film. This is because after going with all the usual zooms (24-70, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, etc.) I found myself liking the images from even cheap primes! So my digital lineup has changed to 5D MKII, 50L, 85L II, etc. But enough about that...
Since I found love in images made with primes, I have also noticed that people react differently to film cameras in general, rangefinders especially. They appear as novelties and 'harmless' unlike a monster DSLR which can be quite daunting on the other end of the lens. I understand that the energy given out from the photographer effects people just as much (if not more), however a small camera is just another way to put people at ease, or to go unnoticed.
With that said I don't have the money for a proper Leica setup, and I'm not quite ready for the Mamiya 7 II, so I decided that the Contax G2 would be a nice reintroduction... Today was my lucky day!
eBay sent me a 10% off coupon, and Microsoft Cashback is at 8%, exactly at the same time that somebody listed a G2 kit with 28/45/90/flash/misc combo for Buy It Now of $895!!!
Oh, I also paid with a credit card that gives 1% Cashback, so in total I got the kit for around $725!
But let me backup a bit.... It all started with the idea that small camera = better people photography, so I thought that I might find a rangefinder (Leica) at an antique store for a bargain... I quickly found out that I was not the only person with that idea
But I also found a Voigtlander Vito II with a Pronter-S shutter for $19.95, and I just couldn't pass it up. It is in excellent shape other then the shutter doesn't work below 1/10th but since I wouldn't be shooting below that I can accept that flaw, I have no idea how far the speeds might be off in the rest of it's range. But that doesn't matter, it has allowed me to step back and rethink about photography and what it means to me, I have regained creative freedom.
So there you have it, a little insight about myself. I know that I will learn a lot from this forum, and I hope that I can even share some insight of my own.
Cheers,
Nick
I wanted to introduce myself, I am a photographer located just outside of Detroit, Michigan. My focus is on documentary and commercial photography but I have a soft spot for world portraits (Steve McCurry) and confrontation photography (James Nachtwey).
Being young (currently 22) I have shot digital for almost as long as I have shot film, but am feeling the urge to return to film. This is because after going with all the usual zooms (24-70, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, etc.) I found myself liking the images from even cheap primes! So my digital lineup has changed to 5D MKII, 50L, 85L II, etc. But enough about that...
Since I found love in images made with primes, I have also noticed that people react differently to film cameras in general, rangefinders especially. They appear as novelties and 'harmless' unlike a monster DSLR which can be quite daunting on the other end of the lens. I understand that the energy given out from the photographer effects people just as much (if not more), however a small camera is just another way to put people at ease, or to go unnoticed.
With that said I don't have the money for a proper Leica setup, and I'm not quite ready for the Mamiya 7 II, so I decided that the Contax G2 would be a nice reintroduction... Today was my lucky day!
eBay sent me a 10% off coupon, and Microsoft Cashback is at 8%, exactly at the same time that somebody listed a G2 kit with 28/45/90/flash/misc combo for Buy It Now of $895!!!
Oh, I also paid with a credit card that gives 1% Cashback, so in total I got the kit for around $725!
But let me backup a bit.... It all started with the idea that small camera = better people photography, so I thought that I might find a rangefinder (Leica) at an antique store for a bargain... I quickly found out that I was not the only person with that idea
But I also found a Voigtlander Vito II with a Pronter-S shutter for $19.95, and I just couldn't pass it up. It is in excellent shape other then the shutter doesn't work below 1/10th but since I wouldn't be shooting below that I can accept that flaw, I have no idea how far the speeds might be off in the rest of it's range. But that doesn't matter, it has allowed me to step back and rethink about photography and what it means to me, I have regained creative freedom.So there you have it, a little insight about myself. I know that I will learn a lot from this forum, and I hope that I can even share some insight of my own.
Cheers,
Nick
