Cameras

Of course the photograph is the most important thing. Cameras have come and gone, some broke, others were traded, many were kept but are no longer used. Each camera has its own story, its limitations and strengths.

My early cameras were generally built by Communist states, the USSR and China. They were cheaper than their Western counterparts and build quality inferior in pretty much every way (except perhaps the lenses).

No automation whatsoever, manual light metering, manual aperture setting, manual shutter speed setting , manual focusing and manual film advance. All these slowed down taking pictures so it was important to keep film running through the cameras so that I became familiar with them.

With modern digital equipment I would have been able to capture more and in colour, I did not have this. Using a teachers Canon camera once revealed to me that if I had the money I would have benefited from a Japanese film camera.

On the plus side the lenses were generally good, the texture of film grain made up for the slight lack of focus accuracy. These limited tools were pushed into service and delivered my intent so I cannot complain too much.

Here is the story of each.