Who are we?

GreatOceanSoftware · Jul 15, 2024

Truman Prevatt said:
I was going to do this in a poll, but there are limitations on polls to one question on DPR so I decided to post as a thread. We don't really know each other. All we see is screen names. When someone post we don't know the experience level or interests in photography. I believe this forum would be more useful if we had a better feel for the community. Below is a series of questions. Answer as many or few as you want and feel free to expand and comment.

1. Tell us about the first time you held a camera and took a picture.

It was probably my dad's Brownie or my mother's Polaroid. Sometime in the late 60s.

Truman Prevatt said:
2. I got my first camera in what decade, the 1950's, 60's, ... 2020's.

I saved my money from growing pigs on my dad's farm and bought an Olympus OM10 (with manual adapter!). I was 14 at the time.

That camera was destroyed in a science fair project when the solid propellant rocket motor I had designed blew up. The camera was sitting two feet from the test stand and controlled remotely. Would you believe that our homeowner's insurance covered it?!

Truman Prevatt said:
3. I got my first digital camera in 1990's, 2000's, 2010's, or 2020's.

First digital camera was the Nikon D1, right at release. 1999?

Truman Prevatt said:
4. Tell us your interest in photography. Are you a professional - making all your living through photography? Do you enjoy documenting the growth of family and friends? Do you enjoy producing fine arts? Do you enjoy documenting nature and wildlife? Do you shoot stills, video or both?, etc.

In high school, I was the yearbook photographer (not the portraits, just all of the filler photos).

After college I became an AF pilot, and started doing aerial mapping on the side. It eventually became a fulltime occupation a few years after leaving the military. Did that for 22 years. Shot loads of different film and digital cameras.

Truman Prevatt said:
5. How many different format and styles of cameras have you shot and which are your favorite.

Film 35mm and medium format. Favorite film camera was the Contax RTS III, by far. Shot all major brands of digital cameras. Fujifilm is my favorite and have owned the S1/2/3/5 Pro series, then the XT1/2/3/5. Also owned the X30, XF, and XE4. I'd have to say the XT3 was as close to perfect as a camera design can get in my book.

Truman Prevatt said:
6. Do you still shoot film.

No. Just can't give up the convenience of digital. Although, every time I walk into a "real camera store" and smell the processing chemicals, it brings back a ton of good memories.

Truman Prevatt said:
7. Do you print or send images out to labs for printing?

These days I only print photo books with Saal Digital. I have an Epson 13x19, but haven't used it in so long, I'm afraid I'll turn it on and find out that it's permanently gunked up.

Truman Prevatt said:
Anything else that you think might help the community better know your and your interest in photography and here by photography I mean both stills and video.

Most of my photography is nature and travel. We are retired and like to travel.

GreatOceanSoftware is "my other hobby." My graduate school degree was CS, and I still love coding. Hoping it helps keep dementia at bay ;-)

--
Randy

GreatOceanSoftware · Jul 16, 2024

Alan, so what was your dad’s answer to your question? What took him so long? Inquiring minds want to know

!

GreatOceanSoftware · Jul 16, 2024

Sam in Hawaii said:
6. Do you still shoot film.

Oh, gawd, no. I am so done with wet chemicals.

Ha! Thanks for that! Made my day. I reminisce, but couldn’t go back either.

DelnT · Jul 16, 2024

1. Tell us about the first time you held a camera and took a picture.

I was 10. My dad had an Olympus OM1 with a Zukio 50mm on it. He let me use it once. I was normally not allowed. I photographed a stone angel in a cemetery with a frosted spiders web on it. Tri-X 400 was the film. Once I saw the outcome I was hooked. I still have the OM-1

2. I got my first camera in what decade, the 1950's, 60's, ... 2020's.

I got a Panasonic Panoramic file camera. A little point and shoot for my 14th Birthday.

3. I got my first digital camera in 1990's, 2000's, 2010's, or 2020's.

Olympus bridge camera with a zoom lens. It was 2.1 megapixels. I was 29.

4. Tell us your interest in photography. Are you a professional - making all your living through photography? Do you enjoy documenting the growth of family and friends? Do you enjoy producing fine arts? Do you enjoy documenting nature and wildlife? Do you shoot stills, video or both?, etc.

I sometimes make money, but I do it for pleasure away from my profession as a way of relaxing. I mostly photograph in woods on long walks or in the Street. One day I will photograph a tree in the way I see them if I am lucky.

5. How many different format and styles of cameras have you shot and which are your favorite.

I loved an old Roliflex film camera I had. It just handled well.
I loved the EOS 10D I had years ago as I learned photography properly on it.
I love my current X-T5. Handling works for me.
I've shot with Nikons and Canons a lot also. Had a Sony briefly but the menus and handling where not for me.

6. Do you still shoot film.

Yes and still Tri-X or similar. Always B&W.

7. Do you print or send images out to labs for printing?

For film. Yes as I have no darkroom I use a nice local lab in Zwolle, NL the lady that does the work is a master printer. Very cool.
For prints up to A3+ I do my own on a Canon Pro-300

Asla · Jul 16, 2024

Hi!

I think this thread nicely fits to Dpreview 25 years- theme, too!

A s l a

Heresy! It's Sony! And MD Rokkor!

Jerry-astro · Jul 17, 2024

BobsYourUncle said:
Good one, Truman!

First camera, a Kodak Brownie….. that makes me sound old!
First Digital? Floppy disk Mavica
First Digital SLR? Hate to say….. Canon 20D (I think) then went to a Nikon D200 and then a Fuji S5.

More later

Pretty similar to my experience as well.

- First camera a Kodak Brownie as well. I don't just sound old... I AM old.

- First digital was a Canon 10D IIRC.
- Worked my way thru the Canon series (20D, 40D).
- Became interested in Fujifilm gear (though can't really recall what prompted it), and started with an X-T1.
- "Someone" talked me into being a Mod on this forum for a decent number of years (cough... his name was Bob... cough)
- Worked my way thru the X-Tn series, finally landing on the X-H1 when it was introduced.
- Decided to pass on Mod status to someone with a bit more patience a year or so ago (good decision for me and the forum IMHO)
- Finally migrated to X-H2s -- will most likely work with it until it bites the dust. Pretty well all the camera I need (and then some).

Have learned a lot over the years from the many generous people who are active on the forum and who share their deep expertise and talent. Heartfelt thanks to all.

Alan Hewitt Photo · Jul 17, 2024

GreatOceanSoftware said:
Alan, so what was your dad’s answer to your question? What took him so long? Inquiring minds want to know !

Ha ha, I still really don't know. I remember being in Paris by the Eiffel Tower. I was about 10 years old or something and he was with my uncle. The pair of them standing with their cameras on tripods waiting for 10,000 other tourists to disappear out of his shot I think.... Or more likely, what happens if I turn this dial that way.... :-D

He still likes to tell everybody that he taught me everything. I just look at him and nod sarcastically.... LOL! It's good banter.

Giantcappuccino · Jul 17, 2024

I think the first time I used a camera was probably in my early teens. It would have been one of those sleek 80's camera that took the 126 (?) cartridge.
This would have been in the 1980's.
I got my first digital camera in the early 2000's. It was one of those Canon Rebel Costco bundles back when $300 was a lot for a camera It would later be replaced by a Canon Rebel T3i.
My first mirrorless camera was a Fuji x70. I loved the Fujifilm aesthetic, but quickly realized I wanted an ILC with at least an APSC sensor. So I picked up an X-T20. I loved that camera. I bought it thinking about walking around doing lots of street photography, and then March 2020 quickly came. And the world stopped. I then became interested in bird photography since we have a lot of beautiful places around us here in Marin county. I purchased an XC 50-230, followed by the 100-400. Then upgraded the X-T20 to the X-T2. Followed by the X-T3 in exchange for the X-T2. Then I dove in with the 150-600 followed by an upgrade to the X-H2s (but I will never part with the X-T3). I love nature photography. Birds, butterflies, dragonflies...
I am only a stills shooter, but I know that I really need to explore video. I have the tools for it!
I only have APSC format. Have thought about Canon or Nikon full frame, but really have an attachment to my current set up.
I haven't shot film since purchasing a DSLR, except for 2 rolls of film on a vintage Yashika I had for a short time.
I really enjoy printing bird and butterfly prints - both 4x6 (to make 5x7 cards), and 8x10 for matting and usually gifting (have sold about 20). But really, I do it for me. I use Mpix and have my photos printed on Kodak metallic paper. It's (relatively) cheaper than buying records

Ian J G · Jul 18, 2024

HI!

1. Tell us about the first time you held a camera and took a picture.

I sold my comic collection and got a Pentax k1000. I didn't know about aperture and depth of field, or the little battery, and just sort of winged it I took pictures and wow they developed and I had photographs of Toronto. My photographs. They came back printed. like real photographs! By me!

2. I got my first camera in what decade, the 1950's, 60's, ... 2020's.

1980's

3. I got my first digital camera in 1990's, 2000's, 2010's, or 2020's.

2000's

4. Tell us your interest in photography. Are you a professional - making all your living through photography? Do you enjoy documenting the growth of family and friends? Do you enjoy producing fine arts? Do you enjoy documenting nature and wildlife? Do you shoot stills, video or both?, etc.

I do it for me. I graduated in fine arts so have a beyond casual interest in visual arts. I like experimenting with what it can do. Just bought a square ND filter system to explore long exposure shots. But also do standard stuff- family, vacations, travel, sky light effects I like, whatever. Not strict about one pursuit

5. How many different format and styles of cameras have you shot and which are your favourite.

35mm 120mm small sensor digital, aps-c – depends on use situation

6. Do you still shoot film.

yes, 35mm and 120mm – like messing around with old things, changing the tempo, learning how stuff works, not religious about it, just like doing it

7. Do you print or send images out to labs for printing?

I print mostly myself, but have sent out on occasion, rarely. Have liked the Ilford service, but not used recently

Anything else that you think might help the community better know your and your interest in photography and here by photography I mean both stills and video.

just an enthusiast generalist with a taste for tinkering with things and liking visual things

Truman Prevatt · Jul 18, 2024

Jerry-astro said:
BobsYourUncle said:

Good one, Truman!

First camera, a Kodak Brownie….. that makes me sound old!
First Digital? Floppy disk Mavica
First Digital SLR? Hate to say….. Canon 20D (I think) then went to a Nikon D200 and then a Fuji S5.

More later

Click to expand...

Pretty similar to my experience as well.

- First camera a Kodak Brownie as well. I don't just sound old... I AM old.
- First digital was a Canon 10D IIRC.
- Worked my way thru the Canon series (20D, 40D).
- Became interested in Fujifilm gear (though can't really recall what prompted it), and started with an X-T1.
- "Someone" talked me into being a Mod on this forum for a decent number of years (cough... his name was Bob... cough)

Oh, yep sweet talking Uncle Bob....

Jerry-astro said:
- Worked my way thru the X-Tn series, finally landing on the X-H1 when it was introduced.
- Decided to pass on Mod status to someone with a bit more patience a year or so ago (good decision for me and the forum IMHO)
- Finally migrated to X-H2s -- will most likely work with it until it bites the dust. Pretty well all the camera I need (and then some).

Have learned a lot over the years from the many generous people who are active on the forum and who share their deep expertise and talent. Heartfelt thanks to all.

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Who are we?

GreatOceanSoftware

Senior Member

GreatOceanSoftware

Senior Member

GreatOceanSoftware

Senior Member

DelnT

Leading Member

Asla

Senior Member

Jerry-astro

Forum Pro

Alan Hewitt Photo

Senior Member

Giantcappuccino

Forum Enthusiast

Ian J G

Leading Member

Truman Prevatt

Community Leader

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