Canon AE-1 + FD 50mm f/1.8
Gear
Photography gear: reviews, lenses, cameras, film, etc.
Canon 5D’s Unique Look
Regardless of all the downsides, I am still happy to shoot with the 5D Mark I. The images have a unique “feel” that remind me of film.
Original Canon 5D Still Going Strong | Contrastly
The more I use my 5D, the more I love its unique look. Tough, great photo files – it’s my everyday shooter.
Affordable away to get into full-frame photography, too, and proof you don’t need the latest and greatest to be creative.
Have Realistic Expectations
So the next time you buy that new camera— have realistic expectations. It will be good, but it won’t completely transform your photography nor solve your life’s problems. Try not to be too excited with your new gear— as you will eventually get used to it.
10 Practical Tips to Fight G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) by Eric Kim
What I like about Eric Kim is that he suffers from the afflictions he writes about, which makes him more real and honest to me.
But his advice – that buying new camera gear won’t make you better or happier – is spot on.
I admit that a Canon EF 135mm f/2 lens has been on my wish list since I rented it this summer for a wedding. So is the Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4. So is a Canon EF 100mm macro lens. So is…
But you know what? I’m not a professional photographer, and I don’t need any of those lenses. I use a classic Canon 5D. I carry a EOS M, first gen, around. None of my lenses are Canon L lenses. And all of that is fine.
A lot of photographers struggle with this, and this frame of mind is easy to find on photography blogs. The challenge is not to let gear reviews and photo websites get the best of you.
My latest method? Using adaptors to try out my manual focus film lenses on different cameras. It’s a way to get a lot of mileage out of the gear I already have. Just repurposed. More on that later.
And for you non-photographers out there, pay attention. You think you need the big fancy camera with the telephoto lens? You probably don’t.
Not yet.
Agfa Plus 200
You know what I love about this roll of Agfa? The popping-bright reds. It’s really great.
Shot this roll mainly on the mean streets of Chicago, but saved a few shots for the hometown scene. Like the Tri X, I shot this roll using my Canonet.
Good stuff. One film to remember.
A Roll of Tri X
Tried out a roll of Kodak Tri X 400 on my Canonet since, gosh, this past winter (the snow-covered driveway gives it away).
For the first time, I sent a few rolls of film away to get processed and printed, with great results. It’s not cheap, but quality counts.
Film Photography Collection
It seems I’ve become the “Dave Will Take Your Old Film Camera” guy.
To be fair, I did pick up the Canonet at a yard sale. The film, too (all of it expired), was a flea market grab.
I’s been a fun way to stretch the photography hobby into new areas. Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, there’s a learning curve. But what else do you do with a hobby but spend money and pick up new skills?
Missing from this photo: a Yashica Mat 124 TLR camera a friend from high school gave me. My first foray into medium format.
Stay tuned.
A New Adventure
More film photography is in my future. I nabbed a box full of expired film at a flea market. That, plus a few film cameras, puts me in good shape to shoot.
Canon Generations: EOS M and Canonet
My two portable Canons, and probably my most used digital and film, respectively. Light, easy to use, and capable of great photo making.
Camera Review: Canon EOS M
After toying around with the mirrorless camera world, I got to appreciate the conveniences – what I call the throw-it-in-the-car effect. Mirrorless cameras like the Fuji X100 are light, small, and not prone to bang into things with a lens sticking out of the front.
Two years after purchase, I still love my Canon EOS M. I just had someone ask me about it on Flickr, and thought I’d share my review again.
It’s a great little camera as long as you accept its limitations.