You know, as much as I like the modern cameras, I learned the most using one of these:
The venerable Argus C3. Totally manual. Introduced in 1938, ended production in 1966.
I was still shooting with it after 2000.
I loved my Nikkormat FT2, and I have more current digital hardware, but there was something very organic about shooting with that C3.

I grew up using either a circa '66 Konica rangefinder in manual mode



or a an old Yashica twin reflex




in full manual modes with a small hand held light meter.




I used to say I was dis interested in auto focus and stuff like that.

I love the latest auto metering and auto focus... the stuff works great and I use it a bunch. The cool thing is that having grown up working in manual, I know what to point the meter point at and/or I know what to set for compensation when I point the meter at something.

I still often go to full manual and enjoy being comfortable working that way because there are no surprises once you have learned what to expect.

My wife has a lot of experience with home made pin hole camera photography... so she is comfortable with thinking "manual" as well.


Good times!


best,
mike

 
My first SLR, which I stll have (in perfect working order) was a wonderful Canon EX Auto...
 
 

 
 
 
The lenses are specific to the camera, as only the front part of the optic unscrews.
 
Aside from the standard lens, I also have the (incredible) 95mm 'portrait' lens.
 
It has two modes, shutter priority and full manual. It sure was a great bit of kit to learn with.
 
 

My first 35mm SLR:



My dad owned a photography studio in our little town when I was growing up.  The camera above was mine, but I had access to:







we had others, over the years, these are just the ones I specifically remember.  Of course we had a bunch of lenses and flashes as well. 

Canon A1, Mamiya RB67 and an OM10  - some real all time classics there Beag, your dad was certainly right on the money!

If I'd actually decided to try my hand out as a pro, my next purchase was going to be a second-hand Mamiya 645 as an 'entry level' medium format camera. As I mentioned before, I did have an A1 which I always took out with me even after I got my T90.

Just thinking back, I also owned a couple of less well known Canon bodies.

One was an AL-1 which had a 'Quick Focus' feature. Instead of the more usual split microprism type focussing aid in the centre of the viewfinder it had a small rectangular target area. At the bottom of the viewfinder was a display consisting of three LEDs that looked a bit like this: > ● <
 
If the subject was out of focus in the target area, one of the red arrow LEDs would light - the arrow also indicated which way you had to turn the focussing ring. Once in focus, the green LED in the centre would light up. As I remember, it was pretty useless!
 
I can't remember the name of the other body, although I'm pretty certain it was from the F series (though sadly not the excellent F1). This body was unusual in that the shutter release was mechanical as opposed to electronic. In other words, even if the battery went dead you could carry on shooting, albeit with no onboard metering. I distincly remember buying this second hand as back-up body for a wedding I did, just in case the unthinkable happened! 
 
Does this Canon body ring any bells with anyone, I'd love to know exactly what model it was.

SteveStrummerUK


Canon A1, Mamiya RB67 and an OM10  - some real all time classics there Beag, your dad was certainly right on the money!

If I'd actually decided to try my hand out as a pro, my next purchase was going to be a second-hand Mamiya 645 as an 'entry level' medium format camera. As I mentioned before, I did have an A1 which I always took out with me even after I got my T90.

He had another 120/220 camera before the Mamiya, but I can't seem to remember what it was.  I didn't use it myself much.  I didn't use the Mamiya myself much either unless I was helping him take photos in the studio, it rarely left the studio.
 
We upgraded the A1 to the AE1 (the newer one) with the motor drive on it.  wow that was so cool!  but heavy!

Incidentally, I just found this incredible site which has free (although you can make a small PayPal donation if you like) downloadable PDF versions of loads of old camera manuals.

Check it out HERE.
 
 
 

the description of the Canon doesn't ring a bell, but there's a Canon Museum webpage

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/

which is official Canon so it should have all of the models listed there, you might could find it.

Beagle


the description of the Canon doesn't ring a bell, but there's a Canon Museum webpage

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/

which is official Canon so it should have all of the models listed there, you might could find it.

 
Thanks mate, I'll check that out.