Why I Love 35mm

I have a love of photography; the format I have preferred for years is 35mm. I’m just now getting started with digital photography, I realize a little later than most folks but I’m playing catch up.

One of the main reasons I enjoy 35mm is the almost endless amount of accessories, options and choices that are available. Now with the popularity and simplicity of digital photo equipment the cost of the used 35mm equipment is at an all time low. Much of the equipment I own was purchased second hand from pawn shops, newspaper want ads and from friends.

I very much enjoy capturing that “Moment in Time” and even more so if it has a special effect quality that makes it truly unique. With digital photography special effects are easily done in camera or on your computer using photo editing software programs, many of which can be downloaded for free. To achieve the desired results all you need is the knowledge of the software program and the time to work with it. I feel there are pros to both film and digital photography but doing special effects with a film camera is more challenging and in my opinion more rewarding from an artistic point of view.

Some of my favorite extras are the Cokin Series of filters. The reason I like working with the Cokin system is the fact that you don’t need to buy the same filter in different sizes for the different size lenses. The Cokin system uses different size adaptor rings and a common filter holder to accommodate all the filters of that particular series. For example; one holder for the “A” series for use with 35mm and one holder for the “P” series for use with medium format and so on. This cuts down on the sheer volume of filters needed and thus cuts down the cost involved.

There is something about the feel of a classic SLR in my hands, the rush I get when hearing the sound of the mirror and shutter as you capture that “Moment in Time”, that I never get tired of.

Getting Started

I’m a Retired OTR Truck Driver and Self Taught Photography Enthusiast. I’ve had an interest in photography for as long as I can remember.

One of my first recollections of cameras was an Argus C-4 my parents had purchased in 1964 and I learned to use when I was just 7 or 8 years old. The first camera I bought for myself at age 16 was a Canon Canonet QL17 35mm w/45mm f1.7 Lens which I used for years, sold to a friend, bought back again and used for many more years, then sold to my brother.

Since then I’ve started a small collection of 35mm camera bodies and lenses which includes an Olympus OM-1n, OM-2 S-Program, OM 10, 2 Pentax/Asahi K-1000’s, Pentax ME Super and a Pentax ZX-M.

I plan to post some of what I’ve learned and some of the photos I’ve taken over the years. Hopefully you will enjoy them and I can possibly learn something from you also.