Hello, my name is Chris and I have finally used an account on here so as I can write some positive reviews.
I have only really started taking photographs since 2016. I had an Ricoh SLR when I was twenty one (1985) and also worked for a short time in a hut in Chessington zoo developing images for a guy who was doing old time photos in what I believe is called sepia toning. I liked the smell of the chemicals. I have not done anything since and when I purchased an APS-C camera I could barely remember anything.
I lost my career in 2008 when I was misdiagnosed with terminal cancer, I didn't eat for 14 months and had a very elaborate piece of surgery to remove my stomach and oesophagus. Surgery took nine hours instead of five and I flat lined three time. I walked in to hospital and three weeks later left in a wheel chair. Among many ailments I was left with I had neurological damage including fourth and sixth nerve palsy (my eyesight).
I've digressed but what I am alluding to is that I am not working and have had poor eyesight which has improved dramatically. I purchased a Samsung NX300 for both me and my god daughter cheaply in 2015. What I like about it was it's retro look and it was compact and without a view finder. She trashed her lens and I took mine to the store (John Lewis) for repair and they destroyed it without telling me. They apologised and gave me a brand new Sony a6000. Thanks John Lewis
The a6000 has transformed things, especially with the electronic view finder. I could not afford Sony prime lenses so I went for the old stuff. I bought a job lot of eBay for £114 from a young fella called James all in excellent condition. A 1964 pentax spotmatic with an 8 element Takumar 50 1:1.4 and a 35 1:3.5 with case and caps and a 135 1:3.5 with case and caps.
Since then over the last year I have enjoyed taking pictures locally and have a good collection of Pentax primes.
My Takumar 50 1:1.4 is my best lensfor sure. I then got in to telephotos and bought a Takumar 200 1:5.6 which is a favourite too. For some reason I was not keen on lenses with a focal length less than 50mm and found the mid range telephoto's such as the 105mm and 135mm to be an odd and specific use focal length.
My tastes are changing though as I improve. I did't like images with people in where as now I need to try portraits and more street photography. Things have changed and I am now taking images with my Takumar 28 1:3.5 and am looking for a Pentax 24mm or possibly an Ensinor 24.
At some point I intend to replace the light seals on my spotmatic so I can have a go at film. I also have recently purchased a Pentax ME Super in excellent conditon with a Pentax-m 50 1:1.4. Even the light seals are in A1 condition. Only problem is it winds but does not fire. I guess it need lubricating. A job for the winter.
A long introduction so thanks for taking the time to read it.
Kind regards
Chris
Chris T | Flickr
Last edited by cjt28; 09-15-2017 at 05:03 AM.
Reason: Practice and corrections
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