photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

My first real camera was a Petri V6; I bought it in 1973, when I was in the Army. Unfortunately it was stolen in 1974. I then bought a the Petri FT2, with a through the lens light meter. I had that for a good number of years; it finally bit the dust and, as Petri Camera Company went out of business, I could not repair it. My first digital camera was a Nikon D40; I still have it and use it, with my 55-200 lens, with close up filters for macro work.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Yes, an Argus C-3, and my second, an Exakta VXIIa and my third a Minolta Minolta SRT-101. After the Minolta I finally was earning enough money to step up to what I always had wanted: Nikon! An N90 followed by N004 and N8008 and then my entry to the Digital World of Nikon: several models D90, D100, D200, D300, D800e and D850. I still have the last 3. So you can call me NiikonMan!

ABQMikee Loc: Albuquerque, NM

My first camera was a Canon R2000 with several lenses, extension tubes, and a bellows. I love that camera. Still have it. I had to make a new shutter curtain back in the 90's. I bought it about 1961 in Okinawa. It still works.

Oldman73

I no longer have it but it was a Ricoh 35 MM. I bought it just before I went to Vietnam in 1968. I liked it because it was small and light, which was good because every thing I owned was carried on my back for 13 months. It served me well until I bought my first Nikon in the early 70s

DJon41 Loc: Utah

kcooke Loc: Alabama

No I don’t still have it. Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic circa 1968. Soligor 135mm f2.8 and the Pentax 50mm lens. Wish I did still have it.

sailwiz Loc: Santee, CA

Olympus OM-1. My brother sent it to me from Vietnam circa 1969 or 70. Not sure anymore.

therwol Loc: USA

Thank you.

Bluefish Loc: Berks County, PA

No

Garson Loc: Tampa, FL

While I cut my teeth, so to speak, on a Boy Scout snapshot camera and my Aunt's old Kodak Brownie, my first real 35mm camera was a fixed lens Kodak Retinette 1A rangefinder, which I used with a light meter. I still have it, but no longer use it. Next, I had a Nikormatt FTN, which I used for years and years. I have one in my antique camera camera collection, but not the one I actually used.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

My first “real” camera is a Pentax Spotmatic equipped with a 50mm F1.4. I purchased at mil BX in Viet Nam in 1967, still have it, and will never let ‘er go. Haven’t shot film since going digital abt 1990.

Sltolivar

Yes, Canon ftb I got while in south east Asia


Steve

Scott Ramsay Loc: La Mirada, CA

My first "serious" camera was a Honeywell (yeah, the thermostat outfit) Pentax H1a. Bought it new in high school in 1965. I still have it. That led to adding a Spotmatic in 1967 but it got stolen. I was tired of the thread mount lenses and bought my first Nikon FTn in college in 1969. I got a special deal on it from Nikon because I worked for a dealer. They engraved my name on it so the shop couldn't sell it at retail. Needless to say, it holds a very special spot in my "collection". I went Nikon because it would "never be obsolete."

Just before going into the Army, I acquired a Rollei 35, a full frame 35mm the size of a pack of cigarettes (no I don't smoke). It fit perfectly in an ammo pouch so I was always prepared when we went out for field maneuvers.

I added many Nikon accessories and lenses mainly when I was in the Army in Germany. The European Nikon distributor in Amsterdam offered service members up to 50% off retail prices and I really took advantage of their generous offer many, many times.

I bought a black FTN from a co-worker who bought it but discovered it was way beyond his capabilities. I eventually added a Nikon F3, my first "automatic" camera. When the digital age was finally in full swing, I bought a Nikon D300. All my lenses fit but the crop sensor became something of a deal breaker. I gave it to my daughter to use as a high school year book advisor. I went with a D800 and used it a lot (along with some of those manual lenses) and finally added a D850 (what's not to like?).

I have been off film since 200. Sadly the Nikon F cameras became bookends but they are still beautiful to look at. I sometimes wish the D850 had interchangeable viewfinders like the original F cameras.

Yes, to part two of the question. I still have all these cameras (except the D300, which is really still in the family).

DaveJT

I still have socked away my old Pentax K1000 purchased in 1978.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Got an "F" just like it and the Photomic heads till works.....