About a month ago, I decided to take my film photography venture a step further into manual SLR photography. Not that I wasn’t happy anymore with my Holga 120 CFN, but I wanted to reacquaint myself with something more formal and technical. I had Photo Journalism class in college (I still need to have my Black and White negatives scanned), but the time was hardly enough for me to really master anything. And I didn’t have my own SLR camera back then; I just borrowed from a classmate.

So, a few years after my first encounter with film SLR photography, I got interested in giving it another shot. I still remember the basic concepts and operations, but I haven’t tried exploring what I can do on my own. I really wanted one, but I wasn’t expecting to get myself and SLR camera soon. I had no idea on the price range for the good ones, so I figured I might have to save money first for a few months, just to be sure.

I looked around at several second-hand camera stores and took note of their prices for some Nikon and Canon cameras. For a while, I had a hard time deciding whether I’d get a Nikon or a Canon camera, but eventually made up my mind to get a Nikon. My first choice was FM3A, and I saw one, but it was very expensive (I was told it’s a limited edition camera so it would really be challenging to find one). Then I saw this handsome Nikon FE2 in black and chrome, still in good condition, with really nice prime lens (Nikkor AI S 50mm, f1/1.4), and felt nice on my hands. No scratches, no dents, and seems like it was hardly used. And, it was within my budget (I was left with just enough money for me to live until the next payday lol)!

So, I finally have an SLR camera of my own. And I decided to call him Ken. XD

Since I bought him from a second hand camera shop, he didn’t come with a neck strap, lens cap, camera case, and instruction manual; but I think it’s okay since I got him for a really low price. I believe I was also lucky that he came with a good prime lens, as I am being told all the time! Thank God I found a very helpful and detailed instruction manual of some sort online. Given my background on SLR photography, I didn’t struggle much on learning the controls. What I need to know now are the techniques and technicalities of the equipment I will be working with.

I took him out on a couple of photowalk sessions with my office buddy Dianne (who took her Smena 8M, Dimitri, with her), and loaded him with Fuji Superia 100 first, then Kodak Ultramax 400.

Here are some of the best shots from his first two rolls:

Go here to see more photos!

I think the pictures came out pretty good for test shots. I loved the pictures so much (especially those taken with Fuji Films) that after seeing them I began snapping photos here and there whenever I have the chance! I have three more rolls pending for processing, and I will be buying more films soon! Hopefully, my trip to Vigan with Sephy and some friends will push through…I’ve been itching to take Ken in scenic places outside the cities!

Let me know what you think!

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Tags: film photography, nikon fe2, SLR camera, test shots   Posted Through the lens, Yay! |