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A lifelong interest in photography
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Nov 27, 2021 16:22:42   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
Folks: My name is Eric Westhagen and with an interest in art and winning an important Chicago Tribune contest prize at age eleven, the next year I bought a 35mm German camera with my prize money. I set up my darkroom and the following year went into cut film with a German "U" front 9x12cm camera. I was hired by a local newspaper and did processing and photo work for the Ripon College publicity department---all before age fifteen. So, I go way back. Over the years I have acquired cameras in most designs and formats. I also have a variety of cameras in the now digital age. I am a follower, I believe of Ansel Adams and Karsh of Ottawa, the two genius artists of quality photography.

Therefore when the Sigma FoveonX3 sensors were introduced, I have been using that revolution in quality. It is my opinion they have had a bad rap because the photo media critic people are wrapped up in either direct pay or free equipment by Nikon, Canon, and Sony. Irrelevant concerns are brought up in the reviews for comparisons. If one only wanted film speed they should have embraced the 110a Polaroid Land camera with it's roll film of ASA6400? A wonderful sharp camera with an excellent lens. Instead, Polaroid discontinued that film and most of Mr. Land's innovations.

This forum is certainly not prone to Sigma. But to me and my experience, either their SD14/15 or now the SD1 Merrill camera bodies are all you could ask for in quality and sharpness, matching in most ways the appearance of good film cameras. If a person merely wants an image---use your telephone camera.------ew----P.S.(I still use my first 35mm from 1953. How many cameras can you say that about?)

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Nov 27, 2021 16:27:52   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Welcome to the forum.

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Nov 27, 2021 17:03:08   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Your quotes are right to the point. A camera is an "artist's tool." The photo is the design and crafted product. Indeed I would rather use an advanced camera rather than a pinhole for versatility, though. But every generation has a genre of technique in their images. The "grainy-contrasty-I gocha" human interest photos of the 1950s, for instance were never my favorites. Kash, the greatest of portrait photographers caught the personalities of the world's celebrities like no other with his 8x10 studio camera. If you intend a wall-mural, use an 8x10. If you intend 11x14in or even 16x20--in color---use a Sigma SD1 Merrill. (probably the only camera now going up in value after discontinuance?)----ew

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Nov 27, 2021 17:26:00   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
Dear Bill, I just viewed your impressive website. Certainly, you are an excellent photographer. Being an engineer, you might be interested in embracing the FoveonX3 technology. Not only is there more data to work with in raw-post processing of the separate colors, but the thin construction of the three layers complements the sharpness of the lens. I have always dislike distortion. So, not a fan of "Weegie's", and I choose a focal length best fitting my intentions. I also like my Graphic View, and my Adam's type 5x7 with a Dagor lens. Although I always wanted to do "Dye Transfer" color---when still fifteen, I couldn't afford it. I photoed and process and enlarged color with the Ansco process for a special dinner at Ripon College in 1957. I had to buy a set of light compensating filters. The college students had to wait while I shot with a spotlight and floods and stationed someone at the circuit breaker to flip it back and forth until I finished! The film was not only ASA 25 as I remember, but I could only find outdoor which with a needed filter to become tungsten, cut that in half. And people complain these days?-----ew

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Nov 27, 2021 17:33:05   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
Welcome. Post and have fun.

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Nov 27, 2021 17:33:25   #
Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas
 
Welcome to the Hog, Eric, enjoy.

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Nov 27, 2021 18:07:16   #
gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN
 
Welcome to the forum Eric.

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Nov 27, 2021 18:20:41   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
Thank you all for the WELCOMING.

Being from the film age, the problem in the digital age thinking is that one need not only push the trigger for the one perfect composition. Although that thinking is still the best. The photographer is the "artist", not haphazard circumstances of the moment or post-processing adjustments.-----ew

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Nov 27, 2021 20:30:15   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
Dear George, You have many fine photos on your website. And you are a world traveler. I am sure you are proud of your many good photos. Eric

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Nov 28, 2021 01:37:32   #
Wallen Loc: Middle Earth
 
Welcome to UHH.

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Nov 28, 2021 08:16:11   #
photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ
 
Welcome to the Hog 🦔

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Nov 28, 2021 11:48:35   #
DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area
 
Welcome!

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Nov 28, 2021 17:08:29   #
Steven Loc: So. Milwaukee, WI.
 
Welcome aboard! Im in South Milwaukee.

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Nov 28, 2021 18:31:08   #
PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place
 
Welcome to UHH Eric, glad you joined us.
Have fun and enjoy the forum.

Don

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Nov 28, 2021 20:19:27   #
Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY
 
Welcome to UHH Eric.

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