Just curious- What led you to your choice in that first SLR purchase? For me, it was the advice of a friend who taught photography at a local community college. He did some limited railfanning. (Was more into model railroading than anything prototype.) His picture taking was mainly a lot of outdoors work. I have never regretted following his lead. Although my train chasing has fallen to nothing in the last few years..... BoxcabE50
My first 35mm camera was an old Kodak range finder. I graduated to a Miranda then a Nikormat FTn. I have been using the FTn since 1975. Now I use my wife's HP digital for web use and the Nikon on a limited basis. When railfanning, the wet film is hard to beat, since trains move and the digital lag time can be a pain. Greg Elems [ 23 March 2002, 17:35: Message edited by: Greg Elems ]
I too had a 35mm Kodak rangefinder back in the '50s .. then in the mid 70's I bought a 35mm Minolta SLR 202, which I still use to this day. I chose this camera because it was "mid-range" priced and it offered all the features that I wanted. It has taken thousands of images under all sorts of conditions without any problem at all. If I ever buy another camera, it will be another Minolta.
For me it was opportunity. A co-worker had a Pentax Spotmatic that he wished to sell after he bought a newer model (this was in the early 60's). I bought it for much less than a new one would cost, and have worn both it and a second one out, completely. Now have two ME supers. Always wanted a Nikon and their lenses, but "couldn't afford" them. My Pentaxes have been treated roughly on many air show trips and train chasing outings. They must be pretty rugged.
Gotta be the Nikon system; so much is available there. When you consider the cross compatibility between newer and older gear, there's no reason to look anywhere else (unless you need something more exotic than a standard SLR outfit).
My buddy had a Canon with bayonet mounts so I bought one too so we could at least start out by able to interchange lenses until I could afford to buy my own tele and wide angle lenses. that was back in 1977, still use Canons today!
I failed to mentioned what I bought, after my friend made his suggestion. I went through the usual range of species as my youth progessed. My grandparents Brownie box camera. A Kodak that used 126 cartridges, and a little Agfa "Instamatic" style that I still own. However, what I had just before my SLR purchase must not have made a great impression upon me. I can picture the box it came in. But after several days of trying, no name comes into my mind. My SLR has been very good to me. It's a Minolta XG7. I have had it carefully cleaned a couple of times. But it keeps on ticking. Right now it might be mad at me though. My RR chasing has faded almost to nothing in recent years. Somewhere under the dust is a neglected camera bag.......... BoxcabE50
boxcab, it wasn't an Argus C-3 by any chance? Old double-exposure. I still have mine. Also went through all that stuff. I'll have to shoot a pic of my dad's vest pocket bellows type Kodak which took great pix in it's day.
Here's the photo of dad's Rainbow Hawkeye. It used 127 film. Last time I used it, about 30 years ago, it had a minor light leak. The bellows still looks fine.
Those were fine old cameras Fitz! I don't think you can buy film across the counter for them anymore As I recall, whenever this type of camera developed a light leak .. it usually was from the film loading door (the felt lining wore out). When I first went to work for the CHP they only had Graphlex bellows-type cameras that used sheet film. I wish that I would have had the foresight to have bought one of them when they got rid of them all. They took excellent images ... just took alot of time to set them up tho.
Fitz- It wasn't a C-3. I'm driving myself crazy trying to think of the name. Am I suffering railfan withdrawal symptoms when I cannot recall a camera that took so many RR photos? I keep thinking the name is somewhat similar to "Ricoh". Something possibly ending in "...oh" Does this sound familiar to you in any way? BoxcabE50
There was a 35mm camera by that name. My brother had one. I can't recall seeing one recently. Maybe they discontinued making them. If you have it, you may have a collectors' item
Fitz- I keep thinking the name is somewhat similar to "Ricoh". Something possibly ending in "...oh" Does this sound familiar to you in any way? BoxcabE50</font>[/QUOTE]From 1964 to 1966 the Riken Optical company of Japan marketed SLR cameras under the Ricoh brand. They were sold with the Nikon bayonet mount to allow for use of the Nikkor lens system. I don't know how many were produced, but photos are available on page 73 of The Complete Nikon System, by Peter Braczko. [ 04 April 2002, 16:05: Message edited by: BrianS ]
Brian- I think that perhaps you have hit upon the answer. Your description fits what I recall. Thanks- BoxcabE50
