Cameras

I have loads of cameras now. I only have one digital camera, which I use for the important shots. However, I think digital photography is a lot like a Ford Mondeo: reliable, predictable, dependable, versatile, and utterly boring. This is why I have so many film cameras. They’re fun.

My go-to film camera is the Canon AE-1, for which I have a lot of lenses now. The Canon EOS 300 isn’t so much fun to use, but it can share lenses with my digital SLR, so it’s sometimes useful.

The rest are more unpredictable, and reserved for experimentation.

Current cameras

Canon EOS 450D

2010 – present

In March 2010, I decided to make the leap to a digital SLR. I bought a Canon EOS 450D with a Canon 18-55mm lens and a Tamron 70-300mm lens. Early days yet, but I can’t wait to get stuck into this camera!

See all photos taken with the 450D, or just ones taken with the:

Canon AE-1 Program

Canon AE-1 Program2009 – present

In September 2009, I was given a Canon AE-1 Program 35mm SLR with a 50mm prime lens. It’s actually the first film camera I have ever used, aside from disposable cameras in my childhood. It’s early days yet but I absolutely love the camera. Of course it’s slightly less convenient to get film processed and scanned, but I will endeavour to put the best shots on this blog.

Recently, I have bought two new lenses for the AE-1. As good as the 50mm prime lens is, it isn’t hugely versatile for all shots. So I also bought a Canon 35-70mm lens, and a Makinon 80-200mm zoom lens. And as it was cheap, I picked up a Canon 135mm prime lens. Should be fun!

See all photos taken with the AE-1, or just ones taken with the:

Canon EOS 300

2010 – present

I’ve probably got enough cameras now, but 35mm SLRs are incredibly cheap on eBay so I decided to buy an EOS 300. As much as I love my AE-1, it can’t take the same lenses as the 450D. This 300 can share lenses with the 450D and only cost a fiver. Bargain!

With this camera, I have also added a Canon 28-90mm lens to the family.

Braun Paxette Electromatic II

2010 – present

Bought for me as a present by my better half Hana. She was at a car boot sale, saw it, and thought I’d like it. Turns out the shutter was jammed but I fixed this. It’s quite a nice compact, with a fixed shutter speed, and variable aperture and focus.

The selenium meter doesn’t work but that’s OK. It’s still usable as a manual camera.

See all photos taken with the Paxette.

Coronet Conway – Synchronised Model

2010 – present

I bought this camera from eBay as a way of getting into medium format 120 roll film. I also managed to get hold of the proprietary flash, the Coro-Flash.

See all photos taken with the Conway.

LOMO Lubitel 166 Universal

2010 – present

This is my first TLR. I saw it at a car boot sale and snapped it up for a bargain price. I’m Looking forward to taking photos on 120 film with the ability to focus, and some manual control over the aperture and shutter (unlike the Conway).

See all photos taken with the Lubitel.

Past cameras

Sony Ericsson K800i

K800i2007 – 2008

The older photos on this site were actually taken with my old camera phone, a Sony Ericsson K800i. Obviously not a high-quality photographic tool, but I enjoyed taking pictures and this is what got me interested in photography. Having said that, I took photos such as this robin with it and they’ve turned out remarkably well.

See all photos taken with the K800i.

Fuji Finepix S6500fd

S6500fd2007

After a while I considered buying a “real” camera. A friend of mine owns a Fuji S6500fd which he kindly lent to me for a few days. I picked up the basics of using a camera with manual controls, and managed pictures such as this dandelion. I had great fun having so much control over the camera and thus my interest in “real” photography was born.

See all photos taken with the S6500fd.

Fuji Finepix S9600

S96002007-2010

I liked the S6500 so much that I decided to get a Fuji, and eventually in March 2008 settled on a Fuji S9600. This is a step up on the S6500; a “bridge camera” or a “superzoom” rather than a DSLR. It has many of the same controls as an SLR but the lens cannot be removed. I used this camera to learn most of what I know about photography.

See all photos taken with the S9600.

Other phone cameras

P1i2008 – present

Inevitably I don’t always carry my camera with me, but I still use a camera phone to capture moments as I see them. I have no shame in publishing low-quality phone photos – the composition is what matters to me more than the camera, and you will find some pictures taken with the my old Sony Ericsson P1i on this site.

More recently, in February 2010, I upgraded the P1i to an iPhone 3GS. The camera is perhaps slightly better in the iPhone but the same applies as before. If there’s a photo happening in front of me, I’ll snap it with whatever I have available.