Largobob

My name is Bob, and I live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I have been into photography since I can remember....I'm 68 now. My dad had a "Speed Graphic" (4x5), incredible Carl Zeiss optics, and maintained a B&W darkroom. Mom was talented at "coloring/tinting" the B&W prints. I learned as much as I could from as many people as possible. My first 35mm camera (rangefiner, 45mm, 3.5 lens, leaf shutter, no automation or meter) I purchased for $12 at a pawn shop. It took fantastic images within its range. (Important lesson #1: "Within it's range...")

I bought a used 35 mm Nikkormat. 50mm standard lens, Vivatar 85-205mm, close up adapters, extension tubes (actually bellows), and finally bought the Nikon 105mm macro lens. Took some good (and not so good, lol) images in B&W, Kodachrome, Ectachrome, and color print film. Invested in a nice Bessler enlarger with color head, and got into processing color slides and prints (Cibachrome) in my darkroom.

Along the way...also played with 120/620 twin-lens format, and had a Mamiya 625 with a variety of lenses

I am retired now....and not as agile as I once was. I currently use a Nikon D200, 18-70mm (Nikkor, AF-S, DX, f3.5-4.5, ED, kit lens), 18-200mm (Sigma, f3.5-6.3, stabilized), 105mm (AF-S Micro Nikkor, f2.8G ED, VR), and 70-200mm (AF-S, VR, Nikkor, f2.8G, ED)....and extension tubes, tripod, monopod, filters, cable release, polarizer, etc. The D200 serves my needs well and does a fine job for my purposes. The 70-200 Nikkor is probably my best glass...wasn't cheap but incredible optics. The 18-70 kit lens "is not bad for walk around shots". I am routinely able to get 24"x36" prints with incredible detail. Never tried going larger....never needed to. lol

Anyway, I am a new member to the forum. I have enjoyed reading the many questions and responses so far. I'm not a fan of sarcasm, and just wish a few trolls who post unhelpful or unrelated comments, would just keep it to themselves...

Schwabo Loc: Florida

Ditto and welcome.

Hank Radt

Welcome.

Unfortunately, trolls seem to exist everywhere these days, even in a place like this. There are a couple who seem to be especially intolerant of new users who, like me, are simply trying to find our way a rather rich forum. Ignore them - there are enough good people and enough good advice here.

Enjoy.

rydabyk Loc: Florida Panhandle

Welcome! Look forward to your postings.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum Bob.

tjpratt Loc: Ballard

Life must be hard on you sir, good luck with your inability to deal with sarcasm. If only life were fair, dang it.

Largobob

I can deal with sarcasm, tj.....just don't prefer it. I guess if one doesn't have a positive comment or relevent information, perhaps they needn't respond at all? Just my humble opinion.

Nature_Shooter Loc: Chesterfield Missouri

Welcome! Looking forward to your posts and pictures. Happy shooting!

d3200prime

Welcome to the hog pen, Bob. I know what you mean about the sarcasm but it is a fact of life. However, there is always the ignore list. It always gives me the last word when some foul person messes with my posts. It's about the handiest part of UHH. Find it and use it when you get fed up with some of the over the top, uncalled for remarks that will show up. Good shooting to you.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome, Bob. Have fun here. Post some pics. Ignore what irks you.

jimcrna Loc: indiana/florida

welcome to the forum..I live part time in st Petersburg ..good to have a local on board

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Welcome to the forum.

Cape Coral Joel

Welcome Bob. I'm south of you in Cape Coral. It sounds like you have a ton of experience. I'm looking forward to your advice and recommendations.

Lowrider Loc: Kennesaw, GA

A suggestion. When you post, especially if a question, make your comment as specific as possible. When you leave a subject wide open is when you seem to get the most sarcastic responses as it allows the respondents way too much leeway. P.S. I try not to be sarcastic on this forum, and there is a lot of opportunity but in real life I just can't help myself. Here is an infamous sarcastic quote I think you'll like. "If only closed minds came with closed mouths!"

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Welcome to the forum.