Photography on a

Budget

Since we practice photography as a hobby the cost of equipment plays a major role in the type of stuff we use. This is evident from the very beginning in the kind of cameras that we have. I used a Yashica FR1 for many years that served me well. Remember that one of the major differences between pro and cheaper cameras is that the pro equipment is built to hold up to the punishment that it receives from a "Pros" normal use. For a lot of pros shooting a dozen rolls of film a day is nothing. If your like me it takes weeks to shoot a dozen rolls of film.

When we decided to move up to medium format cost of the cameras was the prime concern for us. Keeping this in mind we turned to Ebay for a used Yashica and Rolliecord. I managed to find a old Yashica TLR model D for $20.00 at a camera show. The image quality as compared to a 35mm was amazing. This led to purchases up to about $150 for a Rolliecord Va that Sandi uses that gives amazing picture quality. I ran across the Kiev 88 camera ( a poor man's Hasselblad ) for $200 and have fallen in love with it since. It will never take the place of a Hasselblad but it works great for the type of photography that I do. For the cost of just one A12 Hasselblad film back I was able to acquire a whole Kiev 88 setup. I would be the first to admit that having a complete Hasselblad setup would be great, but I just can't afford it. Like anyone that uses a Kiev, one learns how to live with the problems these cameras give the owners. 

Medium format led to interest in large format photography and there was no way I was going to buy an expensive view camera. I don't have a 4x5 enlarger so I decide to make my own 8x10 large format camera since I could make contact prints of the large negative. Armed with these cameras it has truly been amazing the quality of photographs that we have been able to take. 

One of the most important things that I have purchased is Ansel Adams 3 book series, The Camera, The Negative and The Print. I consider these as the single most important piece of "equipment" that we have purchased. The information contained in these books has proved critical time and again. 

Everything that we have was obtained keeping in mind our limited photography budget. The camera bags/backpacks that we use are 3 way bags that I purchased from Sears. They have built in wheels and backpack harness's. I added additional waist straps for greater support carrying the bag on your back. Purchasing a huge piece of foam from the fabric store and cutting it to fit the inside of the bag protects the camera's inside. For about $120 I was able to make 2 complete bags that serve us well. Are they a "LowePro" most certainly not! But they do a nice job of hauling around our gear safely. 

I picked up a Aluminum case from "Lowe's" home improvement stores and used it as a case for my Kiev 88 system when not using the backpack. The cost of it was $24 and works great and looks professional. 

Ebay has played a very important role in obtaining some of the lens and equipment that is hard to find locally. Wide angle and Telephoto lens for the TLR's are impossible to find at a local store so ebay was the answer. But you have to be cautious and not get caught up in the bidding wars that happen for a certain lens or gear of some sort. Set yourself a spending limit for that item and DO NOT exceed it. There will be other deals on Ebay if you just wait for the right one. Keep in mind you are buying from private people not stores and most of the time there are no guarantees on the stuff you buy. I once bought a Gossen Luna Pro light meter that arrived broken. My camera repair guy said the meter movement probably got knocked around in shipping. It cost me $80 to get it fixed and calibrated, but I have a 100% accurate meter now.

Recently at a local camera show we found a Pentax 1 degree spot meter so we can practice the Zone System accurately. On ebay used ones have been going for about $150, we paid $75 for ours. This just goes to show the looking around for the right deal is half the fun. The Photorama camera shows that we have around this part of the United States is a vital part of purchasing some of the equipment that we want. Local camera shops just don't exist like they used to around the Cleveland, Ohio area. Changes in the way people have taken pictures have forever changed the market demand for these small neighborhood camera shops. As a result the trade shows and internet have taken there place. This gives a lot of power to the few New York camera dealers that have changed to meet this loss of local stores. One of my favorite mail order stores is B&H Photo and Video who I buy all my film from. I still try to spend a little money at the remaining two full service camera shops that are hanging on here. There is no way to explain the feel and smell of an old time camera shop.

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All photographs on this website copyrighted 1995-2005 to Phil McCourt or Sandi McCourt. They may not be reproduced in any form without their written consent. 

email: phil@philsan.com  

This site updated on August 29, 2005