What was your very first camera?

**ChrisPlatt** · 02-18-2011, 06:09 PM

This or one quite similar:

Chris

Attached Images

RioRico · 02-19-2011, 05:06 PM

Kodak Brownie Starlet, with screw-on flash, circa 1958. And I just got it back two days ago, along with a pile of Dad's cameras that a stepsister has been hanging onto for 15 years since he died. And a box of original Amplex M2 bulbs. Damn, I'll have to build a display cabinet for all that good stuff. But I digress.

First camera (gift): that Kodak Brownie Starlet.
First that I bought: some fixed-lens 135 from Wetzlar.
First serious camera: German 1934 Kodak Retina I, the first 135 camera.
First SLR: Olympus Pen-FT half-frame 135.
First TLR: YashicaMat 124G.
First LF: Graflex 9x12.
First pinhole cam: Quaker Oats box.
First digicam: some LogiTech webcam.
First portable digicam: Sony DSC-P20.
First dSLR: Pentax K20D.
First holocam: not yet.

lesmore49 · 02-19-2011, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

Kodak Brownie Starlet, with screw-on flash, circa 1958. And I just got it back two days ago, along with a pile of Dad's cameras that a stepsister has been hanging onto for 15 years since he died. And a box of original Amplex M2 bulbs. Damn, I'll have to build a display cabinet for all that good stuff. But I digress.

First camera (gift): that Kodak Brownie Starlet.
First that I bought: some fixed-lens 135 from Wetzlar.
First serious camera: German 1934 Kodak Retina I, the first 135 camera.
First SLR: Olympus Pen-FT half-frame 135.
First TLR: YashicaMat 124G.
First LF: Graflex 9x12.
First pinhole cam: Quaker Oats box.
First digicam: some LogiTech webcam.
First portable digicam: Sony DSC-P20.
First dSLR: Pentax K20D.
First holocam: not yet.

Great selection. Do you still have that Graflex ? With it's 9 X 12 neg size the pictures must be phenomenal ?

metalmania · 02-19-2011, 06:56 PM

My father gave me a Zenith SLR made in USSR when I went to the college in 1989. Silly me at that time I ddn't know anything about SLR but found later that the photos I took were much better than those took by my classmates.

I still have it in my parents' home. Now I only use the Pentax DSLR.

RioRico · 02-19-2011, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Great selection. Do you still have that Graflex ? With it's 9 X 12 neg size the pictures must be phenomenal ?

Alas, except for the digitals, I only still have the Starlet. Most of the others were stolen. I *do* have another of Dad's cams that a sister recently dug up for me, a 1927 Conley 9x14cm folder. With film! But I haven't used it yet.

That Graflex was one of the standard press.cams of the 1940's-50's, a bit smaller than the 4x5 inch multitudes. I found it a real PITA. I much prefer the half-frame versions: 6x9 folders. Now, if I could just afford a 645...

Side note: A strange camera will arrive eventually, shipped slow and cheap: a Halina 6-4. It's a 120 rollfilm rangefinder with two image masks, for shooting 6x6 or 4x4 frames. 4x4cm transparencies used to be real popular for tourist-site memento slides. I'll try to make a 4x6cm mask for it. That'll be over 6x the size of an APS-C frame. Woo woo!

eddie1960 · 02-19-2011, 08:16 PM

Just shoot it 6x6 and crop when need be
Then you have the option of the big square frame if you want

RioRico · 02-19-2011, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by eddie1960

Just shoot it 6x6 and crop when need be
Then you have the option of the big square frame if you want

Oh, I can already do that with various 6x6 cams that stare down at me from my shelves. Not to mention the 6x9's. I have a specific reason for wanting a 6x4 or 645. My brother-in-law gave me a pile of odd film rolls. (They're elsewhere right now, so I can't specify which.) These are color negative rolls like 120, but SHORT. They give 9 shots per roll, not the 12 of 120. I also have some IR film (not cheap) that I'd like to stretch a bit. Since processing a roll costs the same no matter whether it has 9, 12, 16, or whatever number of images, I'll pay a bit less per image. Yes, I'm a cheap bastard. That is all.

OK everyone, back to your first cameras.

dh4412 · 02-19-2011, 10:38 PM

my first camera was a polaroid swinger, when i was about fourteen.

Tremaine · 02-20-2011, 01:07 AM

35mm Pentax K1000
P&S Canon Powershot
DSLR Pentax K10D

HawaiianOnline · 02-20-2011, 01:13 AM

The first camera that I could call my own was a Pentax SF-10 with an F 50mm f1.7 lens. What a great camera that was. I still have it too, and it still works except for the built in flash.

The very first camera that I used was my Mom's Kodak that used 110 film and those flash cubes. I don't remember the model though...

civano · 02-20-2011, 05:21 AM

I don't remember the model but it was one of those Kodak disc cameras many years ago.

philippe · 02-20-2011, 05:50 AM

Praktica MTL

TaoMaas · 02-20-2011, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

First 'real' camera of my own was a Miranda Sensorex, though I'd gotten a start with an old Canon FT type.

When I was starting out, I wanted a Canon TLb so bad I could taste it! An FTb would have been wonderful, but I would have settled for a TL.

Colbyt · 02-20-2011, 01:55 PM

Joining RioRico and and showing my age here, it was a Brownie Hawkeye which used flash bulbs about the size of a small egg. I keep planning to buy a roll of that wide film and shoot a few for old times sake.

That was soon followed some little 126 cartridge model which I don't think I have anymore.

The ME Super was the first 35mm model.

Damian · 02-20-2011, 02:59 PM

I was apparently a late bloomer. My first camera was a Samsung ECX 1. Great point and shoot camera. It was given to me when I was 14 by my uncle. He bought it and didn't like it (too complicated) so he thought I could put it to use.
Second was a Pentax k1000. I used it for a year and thought it was too big and heavy so I traded that in for a Ricoh KR-5 Super ii. In hind sights I should have kept the K1000 but I thought (wrongly) that the Ricoh was a better camera because it was lighter, had a timer, had 2000 shutter speed and came with a 35-80 zoom lens. The lens was mediocre and the camera broke (manual winder quit winding) a year and a half later, just out of warranty of course. It cost more to fix then it was worth. I then replaced the Ricoh with a used Pentax Super Program which I still have. The Super Program needs a new mirror bumper but otherwise still works great. I haven't used it in years, but I take it out now and again to admire it.
After that I went through 3 different Digital point and shoot cameras. A 3mp, a 6mp and an 8mp. I still have the 8mp and keep it around for times when I need something I'm not worried about sacrificing to the camera gods.

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02-18-2011, 06:09 PM	#31
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	This or one quite similar: Chris Attached Images

02-19-2011, 05:06 PM	#32
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Kodak Brownie Starlet, with screw-on flash, circa 1958. And I just got it back two days ago, along with a pile of Dad's cameras that a stepsister has been hanging onto for 15 years since he died. And a box of original Amplex M2 bulbs. Damn, I'll have to build a display cabinet for all that good stuff. But I digress. First camera (gift): that Kodak Brownie Starlet. First that I bought: some fixed-lens 135 from Wetzlar. First serious camera: German 1934 Kodak Retina I, the first 135 camera. First SLR: Olympus Pen-FT half-frame 135. First TLR: YashicaMat 124G. First LF: Graflex 9x12. First pinhole cam: Quaker Oats box. First digicam: some LogiTech webcam. First portable digicam: Sony DSC-P20. First dSLR: Pentax K20D. First holocam: not yet.

02-19-2011, 05:13 PM	#33
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,337	Originally posted by RioRico Kodak Brownie Starlet, with screw-on flash, circa 1958. And I just got it back two days ago, along with a pile of Dad's cameras that a stepsister has been hanging onto for 15 years since he died. And a box of original Amplex M2 bulbs. Damn, I'll have to build a display cabinet for all that good stuff. But I digress. First camera (gift): that Kodak Brownie Starlet. First that I bought: some fixed-lens 135 from Wetzlar. First serious camera: German 1934 Kodak Retina I, the first 135 camera. First SLR: Olympus Pen-FT half-frame 135. First TLR: YashicaMat 124G. First LF: Graflex 9x12. First pinhole cam: Quaker Oats box. First digicam: some LogiTech webcam. First portable digicam: Sony DSC-P20. First dSLR: Pentax K20D. First holocam: not yet. Great selection. Do you still have that Graflex ? With it's 9 X 12 neg size the pictures must be phenomenal ?

02-19-2011, 06:56 PM	#34
metalmania Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 253	My father gave me a Zenith SLR made in USSR when I went to the college in 1989. Silly me at that time I ddn't know anything about SLR but found later that the photos I took were much better than those took by my classmates. I still have it in my parents' home. Now I only use the Pentax DSLR.

02-19-2011, 06:58 PM	#35
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by lesmore49 Great selection. Do you still have that Graflex ? With it's 9 X 12 neg size the pictures must be phenomenal ? Alas, except for the digitals, I only still have the Starlet. Most of the others were stolen. I do have another of Dad's cams that a sister recently dug up for me, a 1927 Conley 9x14cm folder. With film! But I haven't used it yet. That Graflex was one of the standard press.cams of the 1940's-50's, a bit smaller than the 4x5 inch multitudes. I found it a real PITA. I much prefer the half-frame versions: 6x9 folders. Now, if I could just afford a 645... Side note: A strange camera will arrive eventually, shipped slow and cheap: a Halina 6-4. It's a 120 rollfilm rangefinder with two image masks, for shooting 6x6 or 4x4 frames. 4x4cm transparencies used to be real popular for tourist-site memento slides. I'll try to make a 4x6cm mask for it. That'll be over 6x the size of an APS-C frame. Woo woo!

02-19-2011, 08:16 PM	#36
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Just shoot it 6x6 and crop when need be Then you have the option of the big square frame if you want

02-19-2011, 10:35 PM	#37
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by eddie1960 Just shoot it 6x6 and crop when need be Then you have the option of the big square frame if you want Oh, I can already do that with various 6x6 cams that stare down at me from my shelves. Not to mention the 6x9's. I have a specific reason for wanting a 6x4 or 645. My brother-in-law gave me a pile of odd film rolls. (They're elsewhere right now, so I can't specify which.) These are color negative rolls like 120, but SHORT. They give 9 shots per roll, not the 12 of 120. I also have some IR film (not cheap) that I'd like to stretch a bit. Since processing a roll costs the same no matter whether it has 9, 12, 16, or whatever number of images, I'll pay a bit less per image. Yes, I'm a cheap bastard. That is all. OK everyone, back to your first cameras.

02-19-2011, 10:38 PM	#38
dh4412 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 248	my first camera was a polaroid swinger, when i was about fourteen.

02-20-2011, 01:07 AM	#39
Tremaine Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago Photos: Albums Posts: 83	35mm Pentax K1000 P&S Canon Powershot DSLR Pentax K10D

02-20-2011, 01:13 AM	#40
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	The first camera that I could call my own was a Pentax SF-10 with an F 50mm f1.7 lens. What a great camera that was. I still have it too, and it still works except for the built in flash. The very first camera that I used was my Mom's Kodak that used 110 film and those flash cubes. I don't remember the model though...

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02-20-2011, 05:21 AM	#41
civano Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 224	I don't remember the model but it was one of those Kodak disc cameras many years ago.

02-20-2011, 05:50 AM	#42
philippe Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Flanders Fields Posts: 463	Praktica MTL

02-20-2011, 11:10 AM	#43
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady First 'real' camera of my own was a Miranda Sensorex, though I'd gotten a start with an old Canon FT type. When I was starting out, I wanted a Canon TLb so bad I could taste it! An FTb would have been wonderful, but I would have settled for a TL.

02-20-2011, 01:55 PM	#44
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,417	Joining RioRico and and showing my age here, it was a Brownie Hawkeye which used flash bulbs about the size of a small egg. I keep planning to buy a roll of that wide film and shoot a few for old times sake. That was soon followed some little 126 cartridge model which I don't think I have anymore. The ME Super was the first 35mm model.

02-20-2011, 02:59 PM	#45
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278	I was apparently a late bloomer. My first camera was a Samsung ECX 1. Great point and shoot camera. It was given to me when I was 14 by my uncle. He bought it and didn't like it (too complicated) so he thought I could put it to use. Second was a Pentax k1000. I used it for a year and thought it was too big and heavy so I traded that in for a Ricoh KR-5 Super ii. In hind sights I should have kept the K1000 but I thought (wrongly) that the Ricoh was a better camera because it was lighter, had a timer, had 2000 shutter speed and came with a 35-80 zoom lens. The lens was mediocre and the camera broke (manual winder quit winding) a year and a half later, just out of warranty of course. It cost more to fix then it was worth. I then replaced the Ricoh with a used Pentax Super Program which I still have. The Super Program needs a new mirror bumper but otherwise still works great. I haven't used it in years, but I take it out now and again to admire it. After that I went through 3 different Digital point and shoot cameras. A 3mp, a 6mp and an 8mp. I still have the 8mp and keep it around for times when I need something I'm not worried about sacrificing to the camera gods.