Times change, and so do favorite pastimes and other activities. One thing that has never changed for me is my love for capturing moments through photography. For me, photography is a way to freeze time, allowing me to come back later to bring back the memories of those moments.
I fell in love with photography at a relatively young age. My first camera was a hand-me-down Agfa Optima III, a fixed-lens point-and-shoot made in the 1960s. Eventually, I upgraded to an SLR, the Revueflex AC2, which I used for many years until the light meter began to fail. I then got a Canon Elan, which featured autofocus. Exciting times! At some point, I transitioned to digital photography, which I discuss further in my digital camera journey, if you’re interested.
I don’t have a single preferred motive or specific project. While I appreciate those who do, I enjoy capturing whatever piques my interest. However, I do tend to focus on certain subjects—pun intended. I have a fondness for photographing beautiful bokeh, whether wild or smooth. I also find flowers quite captivating; their colors and details are simply lovely. Flowers, or plants in general, pair beautifully with bokeh.
Recently, I have also taken an interest in photographing wildlife, especially since we live near a nature reserve home to various animals and plants. After I had a Carolina mantis, affectionately named “little dude,” living in our backyard for a while, I became intrigued by insects. They are fascinating creatures, although I prefer to keep them outside.
Hipstamatic
The Current Gear
A whole lot of stuff accumulated over the years. Most of it vintage and, I have to say, quite awesome.
Digital Cameras
- Fujifilm X-E1 (Converted to Infrared Super Color IR 590nm.)
- Fujifilm X-E3
- Fujifilm X-T5
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
Film Cameras
- Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta C with CZJ Tessar 10.5cm f3.5, Medium Format Rangefinder (120), 1937
- Holga (120), 2006
- Vivitar XC-3, SLR (135), M42, 1978
- Agfa Super Silette, Rangefinder (135), 1950s
- Zeiss Ikon Contax II, Rangefinder (135), CRF mount, 1936
- Kiev IIa, Rangefinder (135), CRF mount, 1956
- Kiev 4a, Rangefinder (135), CRF mount, 1963
- Mir, Rangefinder (135), L39, 1959
Autofocus Lenses XF Mount
- Fujinon XF 16-50mm f2.8-4.8 R LM WR
- Fujinon XF 55-200mm f3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
- Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4 XF R
- Fujinon XF 60mm f2.4 R Macro
Manual Lenses XF Mount
- Brightin Star 35mm f0.95
- Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO
- Lensbaby Composer Pro II and Edge 80, Sweet 35, Sweet 50, Double Glass (original)
- Voigtländer Ultron 27mm f2, Double Gauß design
- Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f1.2, Sonnar formula
- Rokinon 12mm f2.0 NCS CS
- Rokinon 100mm f2.8 Macro
Manual Lenses Varying Mounts
- Auto Revuenon MC 50mm f1.7 (PK)
- Auto Revuenon 55mm f1.4 (Tomioka) (M42)
- Auto Sears 55mm f1.4 (Tomioka) (M42)
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f2 (10 Blades) (EXA)
- Helios 44 58mm f2 (13 Blades) KMZ (M39/M42) – Biotar design, 1950s
- Helios 44-3 58mm f2 MC BelOMO (M42) – Biotar design, 1985
- Jupiter-11 135mm f4 (M39/M42) – Sonnar design, 1962
- Meyer-Optik Görlitz Zebra Domiplan 50mm f2.8 (M42) – Triplet design
- TTArtisan 75mm f1.5 (M42) – Biotar design
- TTArtisan 100mm f2.8 (M42) – Triplet design
- Voigländer Talon 85mm f2.8 (M42) – Triplet design, Projection lens
Manual RF Lenses M39 Mount
- Industar-26m 52mm f2.8 – Tessar design
- Industar-50 50mm f3.5 Collapsible – Tessar design, 1964
- Industar-61 53mm f2.8 – Tessar design
- Jupiter-8 50mm f2 – Sonnar design, 1963
- Jupiter-9 85mm f2 – Sonnar design, 1961
Manual RF Lenses Contax RF (CRF) Mount
The Jupiter line is complete for my Contax/Kiev cameras. The lenses are more affordable than their LTM counterparts.
- Helios 103 53mm f1.8 – Biotar design, 1984
- Jupiter-3 50mm f1.5 – Sonnar design, 1963
- Jupiter-8 50mm f2 – Sonnar design, 1956
- Jupiter-8M 50mm f2 – Sonnar design, 1980
- Jupiter-9 85mm f2 – Sonnar design, 1961
- Jupiter-11 135mm f4 – Sonnar design, 1960
- Jupiter-12 35mm f2.8 – Biogon copy, 1985
- Voigtländer SC Skopar 25mm f4 – Tessar design, 2001
- Zeiss Opton Biogon 35mm f2.8 – Sonnar formula, 1950ies
Filters and Adapters
- Fujifilm Macro Extension Tube MCEX-11 and MCEX-16
- Lens adapters from Fotasy, K&F, and Lanai
- Lensbaby macro kit and macro converters
- B+W Polarizer Filters
- Hoya R-72 Infrared Filter (720nm)
- Kolari Pro Gen 3 850nm Infrared Lens Filter
Other Hardware & Accessories
- Vanguard Alta Pro 264AT Aluminum Alloy Tripod (heavy)
- Vanguard VEO 2 S 265CBQS Travel Tripod Kit with 5-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod (not so heavy)
- Vanguard SBH-100 Ballhead (modified for an Arca Swiss plate)
- VEO 2 BH-50 Compact Ball Head
- Sunwayfoto GH-PRO II+ 3-Way Geared Tripod Head
- Dot Line Adjustable Camera Platform (6.0″)
- Olympus FL-50 Flash, Sunpak 383 Super Flash
- Gossen Luna Pro Lightmeter
- Hedeco Lime Two Lightmeter
- KMZ Universal Revolver Turret Viewfinder 28/35/50/85/135mm
- Zeiss Ikon Contameter 1343 for Contax I and II
Photographed with the Auto Revuenon 55mm f1.4 (Tomioka)
Previous and Dormant Gear
Digital Cameras
- Fujifilm X-T1
- Olympus E-510
- Nikon Coolpix E2500
- Panasonic DMC-FZ20
Film Cameras
- Agfa Optima III
- Canon EOS 100
- Revueflex AC2
Digital Lenses
- Fujinon XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 R LM OIS
- Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 XF R
- Olympus Zuiko 11-22mm f2.8-3.5
- Olympus Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
- Olympus Zuiko 14-54 mm f2.8-3.5
- Olympus Zuiko 40-150 mm f4-5.6
- Olympus Zuiko 50-200 mm f2.8-3.5 SWF
- Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG
Other Hardware & Accessories
- Epson Perfection V700 Photo
iPhones
- iPhone 4s
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 13 Pro
Filters and Adapters
- Nikon T5 Close Up Lens