New to APUG, not photography

playsk8r · Apr 11, 2015

A little bit about me

-I'm 15
-I shoot medium format
-I've started to get into darkroom printing
-I develop my own black and white film.

I've always loved photography for as long as I can remember. However, on my grandfather's part, giving a Nikon FE2, then a NIkkormat and at least two good lenses to a ten year old wasn't smart. I loved those cameras, but I didn't understand how to use them, and I put away photography as something adults can do. This summer, I traveled to the maritimes with my father, and while I was there, I took a bunch of pictures, some of which I really loved. I did some research, and I decided to try my hand at it. I went medium format, and with a Mamiya 645E(a mistake, I should have gotten a Rb, but I digress).

I've just completed a photo book about medium format film photography for an independent studies project in school.

I'll attach some pictures from it.

I've found the welcome from the photographic community in Toronto overwhelming, and massively warm. It's been fantastic!

I've seen my way around a forum or two, and I kept stumbling upon APUG threads when I google photography related topics, so I figured that I should join up.

Eric Rose · Apr 11, 2015

Welcome. You will find a wealth of knowledge here, plus a lot of opinions

spijker · Apr 12, 2015

Welcome to Apug! Don't underestimate 645, it goes a long way. RBs are for old men with grey beards, photo vests and wide brimmed hats.
I like your picture of the walkway. Keep them coming.

playsk8r · Apr 12, 2015

spijker said:
Welcome to Apug! Don't underestimate 645, it goes a long way. RBs are for old men with grey beards, photo vests and wide brimmed hats.

I would like to be able to change in between films mid-roll, and get super cheap glass, plus the advantages of a leaf shutter.
Since I have neither of those things, I guess it means I cant have one

Trail Images · Apr 12, 2015

Welcome to APUG and glad you've found the site.

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 12, 2015

15?

Wow, am I glad to see you here. You are exactly what we need...

I really like the second photograph looking down the path. I'm a fan of rendering the most consequential points of interest within a picture in the least consequential ways. Gives the viewer something to have to look for and think about. Doesn't make it too easy for them. Getting the message should take a little effort, I think. Small mysteries makes it more meaningful when the light does finally pop on.

Glad to have you with us.

Ken

mooseontheloose · Apr 12, 2015

Welcome to APUG! Looking forward to seeing more of your photos.

chriscrawfordphoto · Apr 12, 2015

I got my first medium format camera, an ancient Rolleiflex, when I was your age. I'm a 39 year old middle school English teacher now, and I still have that old Rollei. When I was 18, my father bought me a Mamiya 645 Super system. Camera and a couple of lenses. I still have them and I have done some of my best work with the 645, which I have had for 21 years now! You will find that you can make incredible photos that blow away even the best 35mm systems away in image quality, and unlike an RB, you can actually carry the 645 and a collection of lenses without breaking your back.

Does your school offer photography classes? I used to teach high school before switching to middle school. All of the high schools in the public school district that I work for offer photography classes. I took photography myself in high school all those years ago! So far as I know, they still offer film and darkroom for those who want to do that instead of digital. I know a lot of other school's in the USA have dropped film, and the students here are lucky in that regard.

canuhead · Apr 12, 2015

ah, Philosopher's Walk, a wonderfully quiet place away from the Bloor mayhem and that Crystal abomination

and welcome. I presume you're going to an alternative school. Rosedale ?

also mark off May 31 in your calendar, that's when The Big One is on in Toronto. Fo those unfamiliar, it's a camera show run by the phsc.ca. Camera porn ad nauseum. bring cash. lots lol

Chazzy · Apr 12, 2015

Welcome to APUG. High school sparked my interest in photography too.

ME Super · Apr 12, 2015

Welcome. Those are some nice photos.

You're my son's age. He bought a 35mm SLR and a lens about 3 years ago. He loves photography.

mrred · Apr 12, 2015

Welcome to APUG. Nice shooting.

playsk8r · Apr 12, 2015

canuhead said:
ah, Philosopher's Walk, a wonderfully quiet place away from the Bloor mayhem and that Crystal abomination

and welcome. I presume you're going to an alternative school. Rosedale ?

also mark off May 31 in your calendar, that's when The Big One is on in Toronto. Fo those unfamiliar, it's a camera show run by the phsc.ca. Camera porn ad nauseum. bring cash. lots lol

I've looked at an RB that a friend is selling, and surprisingly, the weight isn't that bad. I also invested in a really good photobag, so that makes it more manageable.

I can't wait for the PHSC spring fair. Already saving up

I'm at Northern secondary school, photography is a hobby for me, but I am taking photo class.

canuhead · Apr 12, 2015

Northern is a good school. Friend qb'ed there when it was a powerhouse

and take a look at Hasselblads before you pull the trigger on an RB.

playsk8r · Apr 12, 2015

canuhead said:
Northern is a good school. Friend qb'ed there when it was a powerhouse

and take a look at Hasselblads before you pull the trigger on an RB.

If I had hasselblad money, I would, but it's just really out of my price range. A shame, especially because I like the square format

canuhead · Apr 12, 2015

If you look around, there are deals to be had for <$1000 altho I have no idea how much you want to spend.

Since you really like sq, then a Mamiya C330 would be another option and very affordable. Built like a tank and weighs as much lol.

Sirius Glass · Apr 12, 2015

Welcome to APUG

ME Super · Apr 12, 2015

And, if I recall correctly, the Mamiya TLRs are the only TLRs that feature interchangeable lenses. If that's not the case, then they're one of the only TLRs to have interchangeable lenses.

M.A.Longmore · Apr 12, 2015

.
Welcome Home, Youngster !

~ Ron
.

spijker · Apr 13, 2015

playsk8r said:
I would like to be able to change in between films mid-roll, and get super cheap glass, plus the advantages of a leaf shutter.
Since I have neither of those things, I guess it means I cant have one

If you upgrade your camera body to a 645 Pro or Pro TL, you can have all that. Don't know if the Mamiya 645 leaf shutter lenses are cheap, the regular (N) lenses are and they're a good optical quality. I was never interested in the leaf shutters as I don't use outdoor fill flash with the Mamiya. In the studio, the flash freezes the motion and 1/60 s is no limitation at all. I have the Pro with the small winder grip and the AE prism. It fits in a small bag with an extra lens and is not a burden to carry around. The negative size is more than sufficient for 16x20 inch prints. In the end, it's the photographer's vision that makes the photo, not the negative format or the equipment.

edit: just checked KEH.com and the leaf shutter lenses are cheap as well.

playsk8r · Apr 13, 2015

M.A.Longmore said:
.
Welcome Home, Youngster !

~ Ron
.

Thanks!

polyglot · Apr 13, 2015

I like your second photo. If you're keen on an RB, look also that the RZ - about the same price (which is very little compared to what you will blow on film), a little lighter to carry and you get access to a few more-modern lenses that are not on the RB system (50 ULD, 110/2.8, etc).

An RZ with three lenses is totally backpackable.

Tamara · Apr 14, 2015

Welcome!

Old-N-Feeble · Apr 14, 2015

~~~~~~~ Careful with that camera, kid. You could shoot your eye out. ~~~~~~~

[video=youtube;mrAwb9ptu9U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrAwb9ptu9U[/video]

Ashfaque · Apr 15, 2015

A very warm welcome playsk8r.APUG does crop up on various searches quite frequently.

Please keep shooting. In all likelihood, you don't need really need a Hasselblad now, unless of course, you want one. Keep buying film and papers and shoot more and if possible, travel more.

Having a 35mm on you always is better than having not any camera due to weight and inconvenience - especially in terms of medium format cameras. However, if you want to stick to medium format only, you can get a folder camera. But they aren't that good if you like to do quick snaps. Please use your 35mm gears. You'll be able to carry and shoot more frequently with it.

Glad to see people younger than me interested in analogue photography.

Bests,
Ashfaque

New to APUG, not photography

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