I've recently taken up b&w photography and I would like to know what kind of camera I should buy. What would be the best choice for a beginner that isn't too expensive but that I can get good use out of?

-- aida paez (aidapaez@yahoo.com), January 25, 2000

Answers

Hi aida,

what have you got now?

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@eisa.net.au), January 25, 2000.

Let me add to Nigel's question:

1) What makes you think you need a new camera?

and, closely related:

2) What do you intend to shoot?

Answering these questions saves us from writing a long essay on which camera is good for which subject.

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), January 25, 2000.

Buy an old medium format camera--a TLR or a folder--that is fully manual and learn to shoot with it. See if you can find an old Zeiss Ikoflex, Yashica G or 124, Zeiss Ikonta, or an old Voightlander.

-- (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), January 25, 2000.

Taking up photography a few months ago, I bought a medium format Rolleicord TLR. The main reason to chose for a medium format was that I wanted to be able to make fine grain enlargements and that I could not afford a lare format camera. I have not yet made any enlargements but I learned that medium format negatives can be "read" better that 35mm negatives (as a beginner I did not realize that in the first place), which gives me the opportunity how improve taking pictures and the development of my films without being confused by all parameters regarding printing photos. Just for your information, I use AGFA APX100 film.

-- Joram Pinxteren (joram_l@hotmail.com), February 27, 2000.

Comment for the last poster: Take into account that what makes an appealing looking negative may, for example, be too contrasty to print easily, etc. You need to practice printing your negatives!

-- Mark Wilkins (mark_wilkins@yahoo.com), February 27, 2000.