Late Developer
New Member
Hello everyone.
I'm Paul and I'm based in Essex, UK - though I'm from Stockport in Cheshire, originally. I've worked in the insurance profession since 1979 and I've been taking photos since around my 13th birthday in 1974. (I even had a spell working as a wedding / portrait / event photographer to supplement my meagre earnings in the early 1980s).
Most of my photography has been on 35mm systems. However, down the years, I've owned Mamiya C330, Mamiya 645 1000s, Bronica SQ-B, Mamiya 7 and probably one or two other MF cameras I can't recall right now.
Film is still my first love - although I have absolutely no issues with digital. I have a Nikon D700 and a Panasonic Lumix LX3, after all. Nor am I especially brand-loyal. For me, photography is about the end result. I suppose that view of the world is why I don't have any qualms about using a "hybrid" process either...
Sadly, these days, I no longer have the space or time for a dark room. At present, I have my negs / trannies processed by a lab. I'm considering processing my own again in future, though. I scan the output (as best I can) using an Epson V750 and then manipulate via Lightroom2 and CS3 (I use CS3 mostly to remove dust and hairs).
Prints are done for me from JPEG files.
My passion is landscape and travel. Portraits and street are also of interest.
Kit-wise, I've acquired a 500c/m with an acute matte plain screen, a couple of backs and a selection of lenses:
- 40mm CFT* FLE (last week)
- 60mm CT*
- 80mm CT*
- 150mm C
- 250mm C
I also managed to get hold of a 21mm (I think) extension tube for a bit of flower / macro work. (Well, it was rude not to at the price offered....)
My current 35mm kit is based around Nikon F5 / D700 AF - primes and a couple of zooms, as well as a Canon F1-N and a load of FD lenses. I also have a Voigtlander Perkeo I folding 6x6 (Color-Skopar 80mm f3.5 and Synchro Compur shutter version).
My other hobbies are walking (when my knees are up to it), watching football (mostly on telly as my team is 220 miles from where I live right now) and scuba diving (though opportunities have been very limited this year).
I'm hoping to meet a lot of people who know more about the V system than I do and who will share their knowledge to help me improve my familiarity and skills with all this "new" gear I have. From my side, I'll share whatever I know or what opinions I hold, without fear or favour.
I'm Paul and I'm based in Essex, UK - though I'm from Stockport in Cheshire, originally. I've worked in the insurance profession since 1979 and I've been taking photos since around my 13th birthday in 1974. (I even had a spell working as a wedding / portrait / event photographer to supplement my meagre earnings in the early 1980s).
Most of my photography has been on 35mm systems. However, down the years, I've owned Mamiya C330, Mamiya 645 1000s, Bronica SQ-B, Mamiya 7 and probably one or two other MF cameras I can't recall right now.
Film is still my first love - although I have absolutely no issues with digital. I have a Nikon D700 and a Panasonic Lumix LX3, after all. Nor am I especially brand-loyal. For me, photography is about the end result. I suppose that view of the world is why I don't have any qualms about using a "hybrid" process either...
Sadly, these days, I no longer have the space or time for a dark room. At present, I have my negs / trannies processed by a lab. I'm considering processing my own again in future, though. I scan the output (as best I can) using an Epson V750 and then manipulate via Lightroom2 and CS3 (I use CS3 mostly to remove dust and hairs).
Prints are done for me from JPEG files.
My passion is landscape and travel. Portraits and street are also of interest.
Kit-wise, I've acquired a 500c/m with an acute matte plain screen, a couple of backs and a selection of lenses:
- 40mm CFT* FLE (last week)
- 60mm CT*
- 80mm CT*
- 150mm C
- 250mm C
I also managed to get hold of a 21mm (I think) extension tube for a bit of flower / macro work. (Well, it was rude not to at the price offered....)
My current 35mm kit is based around Nikon F5 / D700 AF - primes and a couple of zooms, as well as a Canon F1-N and a load of FD lenses. I also have a Voigtlander Perkeo I folding 6x6 (Color-Skopar 80mm f3.5 and Synchro Compur shutter version).
My other hobbies are walking (when my knees are up to it), watching football (mostly on telly as my team is 220 miles from where I live right now) and scuba diving (though opportunities have been very limited this year).
I'm hoping to meet a lot of people who know more about the V system than I do and who will share their knowledge to help me improve my familiarity and skills with all this "new" gear I have. From my side, I'll share whatever I know or what opinions I hold, without fear or favour.
