NikonGear'23

Introductions => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Peter Shawhan on May 18, 2016, 04:29:15

Title: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: Peter Shawhan on May 18, 2016, 04:29:15
Hello!  I'm a self-taught amateur photographer, living in upstate New York, roughly 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of New York City.

If you are interested in what kind of pictures I take, you can find a sampling at http://photo.net/photos/02Pete . 

I don't claim to have a high level of knowledge or proficiency, but I have been taking pictures with various cameras since 1965.  I take pictures of people and things of personal or visual interest -- family, travel, musicians, aircraft, scenery, buildings, you name it.  (For what it's worth, I'm also an amateur musician, an inactive sailplane pilot, and a casual bicyclist, hence some occasional photos involving subjects in those areas.)

I'm not a systematic collector, but more a gradual accumulator of photo equipment.  Phrased another way, I have a chronic, progressive and debilitating case of gear acquisition syndrome, for which most treatments have sadly proven futile.  I started out with a used Kodak Signet 35 when I was 12, had an Olympus 35SP in college, used a Canon TLb when I had a young family, later got a Canon P and some Canon and Nikon LTM lenses, then a Leica M2, several Leitz and Leica M-mount lenses, and a Gossen handheld light meter, and eventually an old Nikon F and some pre-AI (a/k/a non-AI) lenses -- which started me down the road that led me here.

These days, my Nikon equipment includes Df, FM, and F bodies (I had a D5200 for a while, but sold it when I bought the Df); a variety of pre-AI, AI, AIS, D, and AF-S Nikkor prime lenses covering a range from 24mm to 200m, with most of the focal lengths in between; and a few old Vivitar lenses in pre-AI Nikon mount, just to remind me how good the Nikon lenses are.  (Yes, I'm aware that a single 24-120mm or 28-300mm zoom lens could cover most if not all of that range.   I had an 18-140mm DX zoom on my D5200 at one point, but sold it after a couple of weeks.  I won't disparage either zoom lenses or those who favor them -- I just prefer primes to zooms for my own use.)  I gravitate toward 85mm lenses, which somehow seem to suit the way I see things.  I've never used lenses wider than 24mm, and have seldom used lenses longer than 200mm, so there is unknown territory still left to explore. 

I look forward to sharing photos and observations with you, and to learning from all of you.
Title: Re: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: tommiejeep on May 18, 2016, 05:41:22
Peter, welcome to NikonGear.  There is a tremendous amount of knowledge here and members/photographers at all levels.   The older I get, the more I shoot family, friends and the things around me that matter to me.  I immediately spotted your MGB images  :) .  Of all of the cars I've owned, my 1967 MGB was the most fun to drive.  You have varied interests and images so I look forward to seeing your posts.  I'm not a collector but just rarely sell anything  :) . 

The Df is my very favourite camera  ;) .  Interesting the 75mm to 135mm FL lenses are my favourites.
Cheers, and enjoy the site.
Tom
Title: Re: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: Jakov Minić on May 18, 2016, 09:58:41
Peter, it's good to have you among us.
Please feel at home.
Looking forward to your images.
Title: Re: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: Frank Fremerey on May 18, 2016, 10:18:48
Happy you are here!
Title: Re: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: elsa hoffmann on May 18, 2016, 13:20:35
a warm welcome from me too  ;D
Title: Re: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: Olivier on May 18, 2016, 13:42:58
Welcome Peter! You live in a lovely place.
Title: Re: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: John Geerts on May 18, 2016, 13:58:49
Very welcome, Peter.
Title: Re: Hello from upstate New York
Post by: Erik Lund on May 23, 2016, 14:27:44
Welcome to NikonGear ;)