New B&W convert

[Stan160]

Hi, my name is Ian. I was given my first camera at the age of 8 - a 110 which my dad found left behind on a beach. Progressed through a couple of 35mm cameras until going digital in 2002. I bought a Nikon D70 last summer, and added another 4 lenses to go with the kit then realised I could pick up MF Nikon bodies for very little money and they would work with the three non-DX lenses. I bought an EM with a dodgy meter connection, then an FE. The DSLR is great for many things and I have no regrets about buying it, but when I want to just go out and take my time creating pictures I find myself reaching for one of the film cameras.

I have a stack of rolls of FP4 in my fridge, which I am developing myself (something I did for the first time a couple of weeks ago). Next purchase will be an enlarger. One of the first things that struck me about my flat is the large, windowless bathroom. That would make a great darkroom I thought. Finally, 6 and a half years later, it might actually happen!

 

[Ole]

Be careful what you read around here, or you'll end up with large format too!

BTW: If you're buying an enlarger, you might just as well get a 6x6 model. They are not much larger, a lot more steady, and cost about the same. I've used a Meopta Opemus 6 with colour head for many years, and it has never let me down (at least not after I learned to keep spare bulbs ready - not a single bulb has failed since!).

 

[abeku]

Hi Ian, welcome to APUG! You've find the right place on the web.

 

[mikeg]

Welcome Ian. As Ole has said, make sure that you get a 6x6cm enlarger. They're not that much more, if anything, than a 35mm one. That way you'll be future proof for a year or two before you need to buy that 5x4in DeVere

Mike

 

[Dave Miller]

Hi Ian,welcome from Middle England.

 

[BWGirl]

Welcome to APUG, Ian! Glad to hear that you've got your feet in both world, and are having so much fun in this one.

 

[rbarker]

Welcome to APUG, Ian. I think you'll find real B&W rather fulfilming.

And, as to that enlarger, just go ahead and get a 4x5 model, like the old Omega D2V. You'll be glad you did. (long peel of evil laughter)

 

[wfe]

Welcome to APUG Ian, enjoy the ride.

 

[highpeak]

easy fellas

welcome to APUG, Ian, and enjoy you stay here. You will find not all but most the informations about analog photography here.

Alex

 

[pentaxuser]

Nice to have another Brit to compare notes with on things peculiar to the U.K.

pentaxuser

 

[kjsphoto]

Helllo Ian,

Welcome! Glad you are here!

 

[Stan160]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! I'm definitely going to wait until I can afford a good enlarger capable of 6x6 or bigger, the secondhand prices seem so good now. What I really wish is that my parents hadn't given away the Zeiss Ikonta (I think that's what it was) that my grandfather used when he was travelling around Europe in the 1920s and 30s. I remember running a couple of rolls of 120 film through it when I was about 16, but couldn't afford the film and developing at the time so stuck with 35mm.

 

[roteague]

Welcome Ian from Hawaii. Just remember, being traditional doesn't mean you have to use only B&W, try a little Fuji Velvia.

 

[Sanjay Sen]

Welcome, Ian, from central New Jersey. I hope you enjoy the time you spend here. But as Ole said, be careful what you read otherwise you may end up with 4x5 - or worse! I know because these guys made me do it!!!

BTW, Robert is known around here as "the Velvia man" because of his tireless advocacy for color, especially Velvia. That guy is tenacious! And a fine photographer.