This was where it all began.....

picture was taken circa 1977-78, (sounds really old) and I was with my grandparents. This was at a paddy field in Zamboanga, , my Grandfather was with Planters products then.

My love for photography really took off when I was in High School. I was allowed to use my Dad's Nikon N2000(F-301), our first SLR. It was fitted with Vivitar 28-85 lens and flash. This was the 80s. The N2000 was one of the last bodies without autofocus. It had solid feel and had a motorized film advance. Nikon introduced AF in subsequent models. This camera fell ill to "sea spray" at Subic. It required a chip replacement and that was too impractical to have it fixed, with that same amount we could have afforded a new camera with AF

Next came the F-601(N6006)...it had all the bells and whistles. It got paired with a Nikkor 28-80 3.5-5.6 non-G this time. Loved the way it worked until one day the Film/back latch broke. I initially had to do with wrapping a rubber hose to hold the back in. That was futile as the back would sometimes let go and would let some light peek into the film...ouch. I had to have it fixed thru Columbia Phils. and I had to be careful closing the latch eversince.

Then came the D50. This camera has been with me for almost 2 years, come this Feb. Reliability 10 out of 10. I wish I could say it's a work horse but I haven't really used it enough. I find the controls perfect...almost...I just miss an exposure button...have to get into the menu to find it. For me that the only miss Nikon made on this camera...but then this is part of their "value line". Grip is perfect...everything Nikon SLR/DSLR makes is perfect...nuff said. Oh yeah..im just saying these because the D300 and D3 is coming out. Looking forward to getting a D80 soon.