My First Single-Lens Reflex SLR Camera: A Personal Journey of Choice and Evolution
Photography is a journey, and the first step into the world of SLR cameras can be both exciting and challenging. In retrospect, the camera that first introduced me to this hobby holds a special place in my memories. From my earliest experiences with a Zenit E to the Canon and Olympus SLRs that followed, each choice shaped my understanding of photography and my evolution as a photographer.
Initial Impulse: The Zenit E
My first path into photography was not through a sophisticated SLR but through a casual purchase spurred by an impulse at the time. I chose a Zenit E, an affordable entry point for a child in the early 1980s. The Zenit E was a mere black rectangle with a button—a far cry from the modern, customizable cameras available today, but it was what I could afford at the time. At around ten years old, I held onto that camera, often taking pictures of friends, neighborhood scenes, and the occasional plant. The results were, quite frankly, terrible, but the experience was invaluable. The photos looked washed out and distant, but one or two stood out in my remembrance, making me proud. Today, while those photos are still poor, the emotional connection they have with my early years is profound.
Adolescence and the Pentax K1000
My journey towards a true SLR culminated in the Pentax K1000, a camera that I bought with my own money when I was 12 years old. This purchase was not impulsive but the result of a series of decisions that grew out of my desire to learn more about photography. I had reached the limits of what an old Agfa point-and-shoot camera could offer, and I wanted more. Mowing lawns with my own pocket money, I finally saved enough to buy the Pentax K1000, a camera that was seen as the standard entry-level student camera of the 1980s.
The Pentax K1000 had a manual shutter, a feature I quickly learned to love. It forced me to develop a deeper understanding of light, exposure, and the mechanics of photography. This camera taught me that photography was more than just pushing a button; it required thoughtful consideration and a certain amount of patience. It was an experience that transformed me from a novice to a budding photographer.
Challenges and Choices: Exakta 1a and Canon SLR
However, my first serious SLR experience was marred by disappointment. My initial attempt at a traditional SLR was with the Exakta 1a. It was among the earliest 35 mm SLRs and was available for a low price. Unfortunately, it had several drawbacks that made the experience less than ideal. It lacked an eye-level finder, which is crucial for precise framing on a smaller format. Additionally, the camera was designed for left-handers, and it struggled to focus and take pictures efficiently. I quickly sold the Exakta and switched to a Canon SLR, though I forget the model. This move allowed me to find a better fit for my needs and skills.
The Canon SLR I eventually found was a vast improvement over the Exakta. It excelled in areas where the Exakta had fallen short, particularly in terms of ease of use and the lack of manual focusing and preset functions. I used it for several years, even expanding my collection of lenses, before finally upgrading to a newer Canon SLR. Despite being drawn to a different model with a different focusing system, the first Canon SLR served its purpose well and provided a stable foundation for my photography skills.
Switching to Olympus OM System: A Changing Landscape
The Olympus OM system eventually captured my heart as well. It was one of my favorite 35 mm systems, alongside my pre-war Leica. If Olympus had released a DSLR compatible with the Olympus OM lenses, I might have made the switch much earlier. The thrill of going digital eventually drew me back to Canon, but the Olympus OM system remains a significant part of my photographic journey.
Photography is a journey filled with experimentation, disappointment, and eventual discovery. Each camera you choose, whether an old Zenit E or a sophisticated modern SLR, shapes your understanding of this craft. Reflecting on my first SLR experiences, I realize that the journey was just as important as the technology itself. Every choice, every disappointment, and every triumph contributes to the photographer inside us all.