roybijster

<p>Hi Photo.net!<br> After lurking on photo.net for a long time I finally decided it was time for me to start contributing and created an account a few weeks ago.<br> I picked up photography as a hobby in 2010 when I bought my first dSLR. After suffering from a bit of G.A.S. I took up a beginners darkroom course and shot some 35mm film for a while. A renewed interest in analog photography got me to finally setup my own darkroom at home this year, buy myself a Bronica ETRS and got me back to shooting film again. For me shooting film is not about scanning the pictures, but rather about the final product that comes as a print. As I need to improve my darkroom skills, I started a blog called printerattic.com to take others along on my learning curve and get feedback. I am in the process of creating the initial content and will be posting prints/works in progress on a weekly or biweekly basis. If you are interested or think you might be able to help me, please visit (regularly)! :)<br> When I am not spending my spare time on my photography I am typically cycling. As a professional I spend my time in the lab as a researcher and PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at a dutch university of technology and a national research institute for applied research. <br> That's it folks, we'll get to talk more on the forums! <br> - Roy</p>

<p>Out of curiosity, what else was in the set? It might be related to one of the other chemicals you got.<br> And how old is this chemistry; do you know?</p>

<p>Allow me to throw in some options here as well.A few months I made the switch to film MF for my portraiture work. If you want to do street photography, consider a MF rangefinder. For example a Fuji GS645 (350 euro for a good one) or Bronica RF (this will break your bank at 1000+). <br> Another option could be to go for a Bronica ETR(S) series. This is the way I went because I found a very good deal at a reliable local dealer specialised in "vintage" cameras, as they put it themselves. It provides you with a modern SLR type of camera that can be tuned to your needs. There is plenty of accessoires available, such as waistlevel finders, metered finders, grips and of course decent lenses. Two or three lenses + body + non-metered finder + 2 film backs will probably cost you close to 800 euro. </p>

<p><< And do not over intellectualize choice making if you can avoid it.. >><br> You make a fair point there, Gerry. I am afraid that is a character trait I always have to look out for in these kinds of decisions ;-).<br> I have decided not to sell my complete Nikon kit and to put a further purchase on hold for now. I will first invest some more time in the social aspect of it all. Perhaps I was just going about it all wrong and need to practice more (or be more persistant) in using my dSLR for the shots I want to take (bringing just a single lens, a smaller bag, better reading opinions etc.). In the meantime I will be exploring the current options for a small pocketable camera to complement the set. I have some reading up to do on dpreview and the likes. <br> Thank you all for the comments and advice. <br> <br />- Roy</p>

<p>I have some long posts to reply to, so let me break it up.<br> @ <strong>Jochen</strong>, thanks for the extensive reply. You make some interesting points.<br />I indeed meant to say M5, not R5, by the way. The R system never interested me. As you already point out, I'd rather get a Nikon F3 in that case ;).</p> <p>"are you a sufficiently disciplined printer to handle lots of 35mm? - I know: I never was. - I could burn a roll and turn around 3 prints tomorrow but thats all."<br />So far I have been. I am not super productive in printing, as I am very selective in what I print, but I tend to print on a weekly basis.<br> <br />You make a good point about going through a pack of colour film before buying another camera to shoot even more colour film, although I am also happy shooting black and white.<br />The colour dark room is more of a side project and not a goal in itself at the moment. As an engineer I enjoy these kinds of DIY projects.<br> <br />When it comes to print size I normally print at 20x30cm, but am contemplating making bigger prints as well. <br />I currently use a Bronica ETRS system for medium format work and have both prism finder as well as the waist level finder. I tend to prefer shooting using the prism finder, as I dominantly shoot vertically. You are completely right though in saying that the waist level finder is considered less intrusive as you dont have a relatively large camera up in your face.</p> <p>"A cheap, just time consuming thought on the side: Since your folks don't like your camera in their privacy, couldn't you do a 180° turn and grow further into their formal photographer's role, snapping a few intimate bits by accident on the side and sweep them below the carpet?"<br />Do you have suggestions on how to do that?</p> <p>Don't feel sorry for adding to the confusion. It is chaos that ultimately leads to order.</p> <p>@ <strong>Edward</strong>, "Knowing when NOT to take a picture can save more than your dignity." That is most certainly true. I read some stories the other day of photographers getting hussled on the streets by people that did not like that pictures taken without permission.</p> <p>@ <strong>Andy</strong>, "Combine with wireless control from a smartphone, and you can have the camera discretely pointing somewhere while you are on your iPhone, but you're actually shooting." That sounds awfully voyeuristic to me. A quiet camera is preferred in some cases, not to disturb whatever it is you are documenting, but completely silent is not necessary in many cases I think. Especially not so secretively ;-).</p>

<p>Thanks for all the helpful answers, I have quite some things to think over now.<br> Rick, I might indeed just pick up one of those smaller rangefinders to add to the collection and see if I like shooting a rangefinder in the first place. I saw one at a local photo store for roughly 40 euro the other day, so that won't break the bank.<br> Edward, thanks for the explanation. Especially the part on the different flavours of EVF and digital/mechanical shutter mechanisms is new to me. Very informative. If I ever go for a rangefinder, it will definitely not be a 2000 euro one, more likely something in the 500 euro range. <br> As soon as I make up my mind, I will let you know. Any other suggestions or comments remain welcome of course. </p>

<p>The point-and-shoot options seems to be a recurring one. On your advice I will start delving into the options for a point-and-shoot. <br /><br />Are there any points in favour or against options A (rangefinder) or B (mirrorless)? </p>

<p>Steve, Willis, I get the point of the smartphone. That would indeed be an interesting option if I would own a smartphone. I actually ditched the smartphone about 6 months ago for completely different reasons. <br /><br />Andy, thanks for the great suggestions. I am not necessarily talking pocketable, but the RX100 seems a nice one in that class. Definitely worth a view in any case. I see that there are 4 versions available, ranging in price from 350 - 1200 EUR. Which one were you getting at?</p> <p>Kenneth, I agree that the D3100 isn't exactly huge; especially with the 35 or 50mm mounted (I consider the 85mm and 10-22mm to make it a bit bulkier). So far taking the D3100 with either of the options you mentioned didn't work for me so far, as I would normally find myself taking the entire bag anyway. The 35 is on there 90% of the time. Perhaps taking a smaller bag with me, might help. Or my family and friends are just not that camera-friendly or tolerant, as Willis puts it ;-).</p>

<p>Photo enthusiasts,</p> <p>Currently I am experiencing a small identity crisis.</p> <p>Mid 2011 I purchased my first dSLR camera, a Nikon D3100 that I still own today. I bought it after my mother's passing, when we found out we have little family photos and those that we had at the time were from years before and all separated by many years too. I did not ever want to find myself in such a situation again. <br />I want to document not only the photogenic moments in my life. That combined with a years long interest in photography culminated in the purchase of the Nikon D3100. Over a few years I added a small family of (mainly) portrait lenses (10-22, 35, 50, 85mm), and technically the camera never let me down. I sufficed for 95% of the time I used it. </p> <p>Fast forward four years and we find ourselves in a new situation. In the meantime I purchased a film medium format camera that I now use for the larger part of the portraiture that I do; I have a dark room at home and I now mainly shoot with a print as final product in mind. I like the analog work flow and am planning on extending it further by some DIY to also enable the RA-4 process. Needless to say, the dSLR has found less and less use. I have traced that to three probable causes:<br />1. I just prefer using my other camera (see above).<br />2. Family and friends never seem to like me bringing my camera to shoot private situations. They rather see me put that camera away before I get to take a decent shot. <br />3. I do not prefer to haul the camera backpack every time, in the case I might want to make some photos.</p> <p>This brings me here seeking your advice. Do you recognize parts of the problems and how did you deal with them?</p> <p>I have been thinking about a possible gear change to remedy the issues: go for a lighter, smaller, less noticeable camera. For this I could think of two possible ways:<br />A. Switch to an analog range finder (e.g. the voigtländer R4a or leica R5 with 2 or 3 small lenses). These meet the requirements of being lighter, less noisy and to me they seem less intruding (see issue 2). <br />B. Switch to an digital small format mirrorless camera, combined with a few small lenses (olympus for example seems to have rather small form factor). This option also meets the requirements, but puts me with another few questions. Nowadays there are so many brands making this kind of camera; all have their own unique mount it seems and their own series of lenses.<br />I am not big on the idea of investing into a completely new mount if I am not sure it will still be around in another few years, but I haven't completely written it off either and am still open to the idea.</p> <p>There is one other option that I could think of, which is <br />C. Buy a point and shoot camera to complement the gear I have. This is my least favourite option at the moment, because I think it is a pity if my dSLR kit just sits there in the corner collecting dust.</p> <p>Although money is less of an issue then it was when I bought the D3100; I'd prefer to make a well considered decision. I will likely have to sell most if not all of the dSLR kit to finance any new system.<br />Is there an option I have not considered? What option would you advice for or against? I'd be happy to receive your input.</p> <p>I am by the way not seeking advice on specific gear, but rather on the choice of switching in the first place and on the platform type.</p> <p>- Roy</p>