I discovered the joy of photography in the mid 90's whilst in college, where I learnt to use a Pentax SLR and develop black and white film. I could never afford to buy my own SLR though, so for many years was stuck with using mediocre compact point and shoots, and other interests took over. About a decade ago, I started investing in smartphones with really high quality cameras. These helped me rediscover my passion, but I was still limited by the lens and sensor.

By 2019, I could finally afford my first DSLR - a Canon 2000D. Cheap and basic, but light and comfortable, it has a fantastic 24MP crop sensor which continues to amaze me.

In early 2020, I was inspired by fellow photographers to set up a Flickr account. When lock-down came about, I had an abundance of free time; and an unmissable opportunity to sort, upload, and tag over 1,000 images from my 20 year old archive. Then I spent many months afterward just exploring Wales and practising with my new DSLR. Since then, I've continued to build up my profile with more contemporary shots, in an effort to improve my photography skills.

Two years later, I felt confident enough to buy a full frame DSLR - the Canon 5D Mk II. It had less than 300 shots on the counter - some 13 years after it was released!

Now I have to relearn how to take photos again, and that keeps it interesting!

I really want a Canon 90D AND a 5D Mk IV, but they're well out of my price range at the moment!

My S9+ Mobile is very convenient and full of technological cleverness, which makes it very easy to capture stunning sharp HDR images - whether using its own 12MP camera, or as a Live View screen for the 2000D. They complement each other perfectly.

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LENSES

Currently own...

Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

Helios M42 44-2 58mm f/2.0 (Very nice!)

Helios M42 MC 135mm f/2.8 (Also very nice!)

Jupiter 11A M42 135mm f/4.0

Pentacon M42 135mm f/2.8

Soligor 400mm M42 f/6.3

Sold on...

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II (Kit)

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III (Kit) - Slow, soft and just didn't give great pictures.

Hanimar Auto S 135mm f/2.8 (Converted from M42 to EF) - Okay, but not as nice as my Helios.

Helios M42 35mm f/2.8 - Fake Japanese lens purporting to be as good as the original Russian glass.

Tokina FD RMC 28mm f/2.8 - Using the FD adaptor, I was not impressed.

Meyer M42 Optik Gorlitz Orestegor 200mm f/4 - Poor copy - need a better looked after one.

Neewer EF 85mm f/1.8 - Soft, flat and weird stop values. But for £50 - it's not completely useless.

Unitor M42 Auto Telephoto 200mm f/3.5 - Poor copy - soft and flat and slow. Apparently there are good copies out there.

Wish list...

Tamron SP AF 60mm F/2.0 Di II LD [IF] Macro 1:1

SAMYANG 85 mm f/1.4 IF

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

Canon 80-200mm f/2.8L (Magic Drainpipe)

Canon 135mm f/2L

Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM

Anything Carl Zeiss / Flectogon

Sigma 150-600mm