26 December, 2024
Olympus XA-2 – An old friend
Years ago (40 years) I moved to the east coast for a couple years. I was loaned a small compact camera. I decided to carry it instead of my heavy bulky Minolta. At first glance ...
Chris Davenport
I have been involved in photography from a very young age. I am a second generation photographer. I was in a dark room at a very young age and helped mix chemicals when I could stand on a stool.
This stretched into when ever my father could get me to his sporting events as well. Race cars, football, then weddings, and family portraits. He had another job, but his love for photography infected me good.
I slowed down for a while in early 2000s when digital came around. I didnt want to make the change. Film was my skill. I didnt think I wanted to invest knowledge and money in the next technology. So I just bought an old used digital Canon and played with it. Film looked all but dead. and all my gear and darkroom went away.
In 2017 I was seeing a bit more film and it was looking like it might be an easier hobby to return to. I started to collect and shoot film cameras' again..
I eventually saw film making a strong return and I was ready to get my gear together and have fun.
I have not regretted it at all. It is more expensive then days past. It is harder to find good solid cameras. you cant just go to local camera shop and buy the chemicals any more, but the hobby is still very welcoming.
My collection today is nearly 150 cameras. All of them work and shoot pictures. Some better then others. If I find a camera, I am more then willing to fix and clean it for film. My darkroom is small but sufficient for the work; medium format, 35mm, 620, 110, 127, 126, 2 1/4 x 3 1/4, 4x5, and lots of others as well.
I have ventured out to the digital world and have Canon and Nikon's as well. I might add that I have several UASs and fly for work, SnR, and aerial photography, too. Digital has its place and has definitely changed the photography world. But its so nice to just manipulate the emulsion and soak it in chemicals!
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