| About the author... Just who am I, and why do I think I can dispense sage advice regarding camera equipment? To be honest, that's a question I often ask myself. I consider myself a serious amateur photographer, and I have no plans for shooting professionally. In fact, my degree is in Economics with a minor in History, and I never took an official art course in college. However, I have remained active with photography since high school, and the darkroom was a second home in college. I find immense joy in photography and playing with all sorts of cameras, to the point where one person I know is convinced that I'm an equipment junkie. Unfortunately, there's more truth to that statement than I care to admit... In terms of equipment, I have either handled, used, or read the literature on most cameras available, both new and used (although I do not tend to keep up with point and shoot cameras - too many out there, and too many model changes every 6-12 months). I currently own a variety of cameras in formats ranging from 35mm up to 4x5, with an old 8x10 field camera in the process of restoration. Personally, I'm finding that I use medium format the most, with my 35mm AF equipment also finding a good deal of use. I occasionally use large format, but I am leaning towards selling my 4x5 equipment in favor of the 8x10 - the idea of contact printing intrigues me more than the large negative of 4x5 (medium format does a darn good job in prints up to 16x20, and since I make few prints over 11x14 it doesn't make sense to use 4x5). My aim with this web site is not only to help people find information on cameras, but also to learn more about photography and cameras. Thus I encourage people to send me e-mail with questions or comments. Even if I don't know the answer to your question, I'll try to find some information to help you out. I also welcome suggestions on items to add to the site, and corrections on any errors. I hope you enjoy the site, and find the information useful. Good luck with your photography, and don't forget to carry a camera with you at all times! -Peter Williams sambarasimba@hotmail.com PS. My thanks to Robert Monagan, who currently hosts the site. Without his generous donation of web space, this site would have disappeared into oblivion after I graduated from college and lost my web account. Primary intrerests in Photography: Landscapes, portraits, straight photography, documenting historical buildings, and photojournalism. Living in Colorado, I have also become a bit more interested in nature photography and field work. Current camera equipment: 35mm: Canon Eos A2, Rollei 35-SE Medium Format: Bronica ETRSi, Zeiss Ikonta 6x9, Kowa Six, Rolleicord V Various box cameras and folders also in use when I get bored. ;-) Large Format: Busch Pressman 4x5 Press/field camera 135mm,150mm,and 203mm lenses. |
Medium Format
Cameras - User's Guide to Buying and Shooting
by Peter Williams is
now available from
Amherst
Media!! [1/2001]