how old are we?

44 and I started with LF (4x5, 8x10)11 years ago; some of my equipment

is as older than I am...

I'm 43, which is not only a prime number, but quite young for a

Galapagos tortoise.

I am in Toronto area. I am 48, I have been doing large format from

age 19 in university, I have been shooting 35 and medium format since

age 12. I got to 8x10 last year. I was a pro doing fashion in Toronto

for about 5 years in the early eighties. I got tired of competing

against the reyerson grads who slept in their studios and the ad

amanagres who would sign off on he polariods and then sill pay slowly

or had their partner complain. So I decided that I would become a

professional amatuer, That menas I refuse to do photography for

money. I don't get into juried competetions either because then I end

up truing to shhot to please the judges. I had to get a really good

job to afford this but it has frred up the way I thimk and has

allowed me to explore the fun of being creative.

36. First stepped into a darkroom around age 9 and have been doing

photography ever since. Tried LF a few times in the past, but I've

only been doing it seriously for around 3-4 years.

I'm 64 and have been shooting LF, along with other formats, for 45

years, both as professional and amatuer. I current shoot 98 percent

of work with LF. I spilled Viagra on my tripod and cannot get the

legs to collapse for transport. It's good to see we have a lot of

members in the 30-40 year-old-range, and even a few dedicated

members in their 20s. Seems one takes to LF after they get a little

older and more experienced and really know what quality means.

hi joe -

i'm 36, been shooting 4x5 since i was 24, 5x7 since i was 30 ..

and using a camera since i was 6 :)

I've just turned 43 and while I own a 4x5 Galvin, I shoot most often

with a Toyo 23G and rollfilm. I started using view cameras a little

over 5 years ago and lately, have started feeling an urge to move up

to 8x10...

Great question Joe,

I'm 21, from saratoga springs, NY, shooting 8x10, souping azo in

pyro. I'm proud to say that 3 years ago my first camera was a tech

III.

Joe,

<p>

43 here, started with medium format when I was 13(when I look at Old

negs, I think I was more skilled at 13 or at least had better

Artistic View, what ever the hell that is) now I'm back into LF for

the last 6-7years and enjoying it the last 3-4. As for the "50 year

mark" that you mentioned, well I remember when I thought that was

REALLY, REALLY, REALLY OLD! Now, I even know a few people

that "OLD". As for young people not being involved...... well I

think all of us "OLD" people need to keep trying to change that every

chance we get. They say "OLD People have a lot to offer" well so do

our young people.

12 stuck in a 36 year old body. Serious 35mm about 3 years, 4x5 about

3 months. Pittsburgh, PA www.pghphoto.org

22, started shooting 4x5 in school when I was 19. Missed a year when

I got out of school and lost access to all the cameras. Just

recently got back into it by purchasing a old Crown Graphic. Never

realized how much I enjoy the process of shooting large format untill

I didn't do it for a while and then came back to it. Its great.

I will be 69 in October. Using LF since I attended Ansel Adams

workshop in 80 with a 35mm slr. I bought my 4x5 on returning home.

I just turned 52, and I've been shooting large format since 1982. My

interest in photography started with a Pentax Spotmatic in 1968. With

age, I've noticed that my equipment is starting to feel heavier to

me, especially the old Bogen 3051 and C-1 8x10. I'm glad I've got a

light weight wooden Wista 4x5 to fall back on (not literally). I also

have a Linhof 5x7, which I'm starting to use, too.

49¾! Large format since '94. 4X5, 5X7, 8X10, 11X14. Looking for a

5X12 and after yesterday's post, a cirkut. Gotta try 'em all. AZO in

Pyro?? Love this forum.

22. Started shooting when I was 16. I shot a few sheets of 4x5 a few

years ago in high school. But the large format bug didn't really get

me until this year. I'm a photography major at Massachusetts College

of Art in Boston. Took a view camera class this spring and just fell

for it, bought a Canham 4x5 on student loans and I've been shooting 5-

20 sheets a week since mid January. Haven't even looked at my 35

lately. Loving it!

44 in a few weeks. Bought my first real camera, a Canon FTb, when I

was a freshman in high school with money earned hauling hay bales in

the summer. Started in large format about 3 years ago.

I'm 35, have been using 5x7 on and off since my second year of college in

1986. After taking a six year hiatus (grad school and other forms of angst) I am

again staring at ground glass. I 'discovered' this forum only six months ago,

but really enjoy it.

39 in spirit!

55 according to the calendar!

<p>

Started LF 38 years ago (apparently at the mental age of 1).

<a name="1">22</a> - I've been interested in photography for about

eight years. I've studied LF on and off for a few years, and I began

using an LF camera several months ago. I think that I may have a mid-

life crisis when I turn 25 (a <i>quarter of a century</i>). I may

need to save up for some big glass.

I am 37. Started serious photography with a 35mm Ricoh as an

exchange student in Spain at 14. Then a Nikon, then a Pentax

67, then a toyo starter 4x5 in 1989. Then a Canham 5x7 in 1997,

pyro in 1999 and an 8x10 this year. My day job is in radio so

spending free moments focusing and "moving" a big camera is

a welcome balance.

Ha! I guess I'm the youngest here...

<p>

I am 16, and I just started LF with a horseman LE (used) and an

Angulon 90/6.8

<p>

although I am new to this page, the archives have helped me

immensely. I hope to participate and learn more from all you

experienced people out there.

Hi,<p>

Just purchased my first 4x5 three weeks a go and i'm hooked!!! Look

at those chromes!! :)

And I'm 27 years olds.<p>

<i>I don't see too many people shooting large format at all.

</i><p>

Or selling the film!

I am 50 and brand new to LF. I have shot 35 since my Kodak Brownie

days and MF for several years.

In dog years, I would be dead! Hi everybody -- I am 37 years

young! I got my real start in photography when I received a

Canon 35mm from my parents on my 16th birthday. Prior to that,

I had either borrowed my sister's 35mm or used my trusty Kodak

Pocket Instamatic, complete with flip flash ;-) !

<p>

In college, I was 2 1/2 years into a Mechanical Engineering

degree when I started taking photo courses in Film & Television

Production. I received my BS in F&TV (photography option) with

the thinking that if it looked as though I was doomed to flipping

burgers, I could always go back and finish up engineering. It's

been 14 years since and I haven't looked back. I consider myself

fortunate that I am able to do what I love for a living.

<p>

I started in LF and MF about 16 years ago. I sold my first LF

camera (Omega 45D) and worked mostly with MF until I acquired

a 4x5 technical field (Wista SP) about eight years ago. My

absence from LF photography only rekindled my love for the

large format process. Today, most of my shooting is done with

4x5 (although my Mamiya 7II is kind of fun too!). Additionally, with

the help of some fellow LF forum members, I am well on my way

in the restoration of an 8x10 Korona. When people stop and ask

me what kind of camera I am using, I simply smile and say that

it's a "new old camera." (Their response is usually, "Boy, I bet it

takes good pictures!")

<p>

Sorry for the long-winded answer to a simple question -- I hope

that none of you have fallen asleep face-down on the keyboard.

Good light to all!