NikonGear'23

Introductions => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: BillO on January 14, 2016, 04:48:33

Title: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: BillO on January 14, 2016, 04:48:33: Hello again to a lot of familiar names, as well as a new hello to those I've yet to meet online here. I joined the previous incarnation of NikonGear a few years back to learn more about the system that I originally bought into around 1968.

My interest in photography started in High School years with an inexpensive Yashica 635 TLR (An interesting camera that managed both 120/220 roll film and 35mm) and my own B&W developing outfit. When I went off to college I landed a work-study job as the lab assistant for the one photography course on campus (which happened to be in the department of my major -- physics). In keeping with my photography "status" at the time I upgraded to Nikon equipment albeit at the budget end. I acquired a Nikkormat FTn and a pair of lenses which I used actively for years and still have in full working order today.

For years I resisted the move to digital and continued to use film when I had the opportunity to shoot around a hectic work/travel schedule.

Now that I have retired from the workaday world I have more time to enjoy photography as a hobby, in particular in nature. I also finally jumped into the digital era but still with lots to learn.

This has been enhanced by a change in living style. Six years ago I sold off my house and moved into a large recreational vehicle (about the size of a luxury tour bus) to have the freedom to tour the US. This lifestyle offers an ideal opportunity for me in two respects. First, I am free to see the parts of my country that I simply flew over or drove through in the past on my way to work projects. Second, since most RV parks are in country/natural settings I am immediately close to nature subjects (sometimes literally right at the doorstep). This also accounts for the lack of precision in my reference address as I am rarely in the same location more than one or two months.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Tristin on January 14, 2016, 04:58:55: Welcome Bill! Being on the road is a real joy.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Anirban Halder on January 14, 2016, 06:00:14: I'm sure that lifestyle is dream for some of us; very intriguing Bill. Would love to see your photos. Welcome to the forum!
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: tommiejeep on January 14, 2016, 06:03:29: Bill, not the Easy Rider or Route 66 that created a wanderlust for many of us but a heck of a lot more comfortable. Must be great to change your scene anytime you feel like it :) . PhotoOps abound :D . No Fixed Abode, cool.

I look forward to images of your wanderings.
Tom
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: armando_m on January 14, 2016, 06:21:09: Nice to see you here Bill
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: elsa hoffmann on January 14, 2016, 06:49:36: Indeed you are living the dream for many people.
Just imagine - no house maintenance.

Welcome to NG
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Akira on January 14, 2016, 07:43:07: Hi, Bill, glad to have you here!
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Bruno Schroder on January 14, 2016, 08:12:14: Hi Bill, good to see you here too. Welcome.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Erik Lund on January 14, 2016, 08:36:30: Welcome Bill, wow on the road 24/7/365 ;) Enjoy the ride!
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: BillO on January 16, 2016, 03:29:33: Thanks all for the warm welcome.

It is enjoyable for me to be on the road full-time. I not only get to see parts of my country that I passed by in a rush while working, but also places on secondary routes that few other than the local residents see.

>> Elsa; It is true that I don't have the maintenance of a house anymore. However, a house built into the essence of a tour bus still has its own maintenance issues (think small house that gets moved about once a month and goes down the highway at 60-65 mph).
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Frank Fremerey on January 16, 2016, 06:00:00: Lots of god memories, Bill.

Looking forward to your contributions .... always on the road seems quite changable compared to us settlers

Welcome!
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Olivier on January 16, 2016, 11:27:50: welcome back Bill! I have always enjoyed your contributions
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: BillO on January 18, 2016, 04:27:35: Thanks to both of you for the warm welcome back.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Jan Anne on January 18, 2016, 09:54:20: Welcome back to NG Bill and what an awesome retirement plan you have, can totally see myself doing something similar.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: BillO on January 19, 2016, 03:19:38: Quote from: Jan Anne on January 18, 2016, 09:54:20
Welcome back to NG Bill and what an awesome retirement plan you have, can totally see myself doing something similar.

Thank you Jan Anne.

My experience on the road has been very positive. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to satisfy their wanderlust while taking all your "toys" with you.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on January 19, 2016, 14:33:01: Welcome, good to see you here. I recall having read/seen a post with shots of your impressive vehicle.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: Jan Anne on January 19, 2016, 21:53:28: Well I did drive around Australia for a year in my mid twenties and only have two roles "click clack" images as proof, would be nice to do it again and take proper images this time.
Title: Re: Hello From Somewhere in The USA
Post by: BillO on January 20, 2016, 03:14:55: Quote from: Jørgen Ramskov on January 19, 2016, 14:33:01
Welcome, good to see you here. I recall having read/seen a post with shots of your impressive vehicle.

Thank you Jørgen. I believe that you saw a post of my old motorhome on the earlier NG. I have since upgraded to one that looks a bit more like a tour bus which has a bit more internal space in a more livable arrangement. Once I have it organized I'll post some images. Meanwhile, the front of this new one is my avatar for now.