Eiffel Tower

Big Ben

Dunce

Can't truthfully say I took this one, but I wish I had.

More of my Sunday pictures...

This is a homeless lady I met Sunday evening while I was shooting my pictures.  She had a "homeless, please help",  sign as she stood by the street corner.  We spoke briefly and I handed her "coffee money" as we parted company.                                              

This shot of George "the shoe man" Hutchings' trailer was a "must have photo" for me.  Mr. Hutchings collects pairs of used shoes.  He then sells the shoes for 35 cents per pound on the 3rd world market.  The shoes go to people who cannot afford new shoes.  And the 35 cents per pound he collects goes toward building or digging wells in impoverished areas like Haiti and Kenya.                                                                                             

Squirrel

I caught this little guy Sunday afternoon in the Park.  Thanks to the 300mm zoom lens, and his cautious curiosity about me, I was able to get this close up without actually getting too close to scare him away.  

Minolta Htsi 35mm film camera

 These pictures were all taken with the Minolta Htsi 35mm film camera I won on an Ebay auction.  The camera came with a 35-80mm zoom lens and a 70-300mm zoom lens.   These pictures were all taken with the larger lens.  

 This is part of the St. Louis "Earth Day" celebration in Forest Park.  The temperature was a pleasant 70 degrees.  Families came out in droves for the free music concerts.  And of course there were Vendors like the one above. 

 A "poor" couple out for an evening drive in the park.

While I did not see a badge, usually when you see one of these fellows on a horse, riding through the park, you're observing an officer.  The horses make it easier for the police to get to "trouble" spots if someone has had a little too much to drink.
I'm very happy with the camera.  I hope you'll consider trying the Ebay auctions to purchase your equipment too.  Having said that, I hasten to add, the equipment you purchase at this type of auction usually is NOT of professional  quality.  Also, the sellers themselves tend to be novices who don't really know much more about the equipment they're selling than you or I do.  So, if you're looking for weekend hobby purchases at bargain basement prices, Ebay may just be what you're looking for.  If you want Professional Quality equipment, you're probably better off dealing with your local camera professional.  He or She has a vested interested in making sure you're happy with your purchase, and that you tell your friends.  

*Correction;  The pictures above were taken with the Minolta HTsi camera.  But, the camera I recently won was actually a Minolta 300si.  I accidentally put the large zoom lens on the wrong camera.  So, I still have to  try 300si.  I'll post the pictures here too.

Dutch Tilt | Composition Lesson 11 | Photography School

Elle McPherson

Ooops, I did it again

Never dreaming I'd actually win the last camera I bid on, I also entered a bid for this Maxxum 300si 35mm film camera.  Like the last camera I bid on, it too is a Minolta.  It comes with with a 35-70mm auto focus lens. 

It also comes with a Tamron 70-300mm Auto Focus Zoom Lens.  Great for Spring and Summer time photos of nature when you really want that close up, but know you can't get too close to your subject.  The Ebay Seller indicated that the lens does fit and work with the camera I won.  (By the way, I priced this lens online, and found one for the low price of $124.95)  There is also a Vivitar 70-210 Auto Focus Zoom Lens included in this purchase.  I found a Vivitar lens like this one online for $105.00.

This lens does NOT work with the camera I purchased, but the Seller included it in the purchase price.  The good news is I already have 2 other Minolta SLR 35mm film cameras,  and I'm thinking the lens will fit one of them.  The auction price I paid for all of this equipment was $60.00, plus 10.50 for shipping!  I also went online to price the camera I bought, and found one for $58.00.  So, I've gotten hundreds of dollars worth of camera equipment for $60.  I should be receiving these items Tuesday or Wednesday.  And, like I did with the last camera, I'll put a roll of film through it and post the pictures on my blog.

Speaking of pictures, there's still time to post some of your pics here on my blog before April 15th. 2011.   Remember, that's the day I'll give U.S. Gold(en) coins to the winning photo entrants.  'til next time shutter-bugs, happy picture taking!         

   

Remember my new (to me) toy I posted about a few days ago?  The Minolta Maxxum "htsi" 35mm film camera I won on Ebay?!  I took it out today and shot a role of film with it. Below are some of my pictures.

This last picture is of a local "ham" (front passenger side of vehicle) who saw me taking pictures in the Central West End area of St. Louis, and yelled out "take my picture".  I'm very happy with the camera. It performed flawlessly. 

 

horses at sunset

My new toy

My latest acquisition from ebay.  This is a Minolta Maxxum htsi, 35mm film camera.  I just won it via an auction.  It comes with a 35-70mm auto focus zoom lens.  The price was a budget busting $19.99, plus $6.50 for shipping.   I'm looking forward to receiving this (new to me) toy, because the weather is changing, and spring is always a great time to take pictures.  I should receive it by this Friday.  I'm still bidding on 2 other cameras, both of which are Minoltas (yes, I'm partial to that brand name), and I even found a couple of 70-200mm auto focus zoom lenses to bid on.  If you've been viewing this blog for a while, you're aware that I don't like paying high prices for anything.  So, I'm hoping to get the lenses for around $20 each.  Ebay rocks!

I was shopping at Wal-mart Saturday and found they still carry (at least in my area) Fuji brand 800 speed 35mm film.  The price is $10.98 for four rolls.  If you've found a better price in your area, or a different store, or perhaps on line, please feel free to share the information with the rest of us.  Also, if you've gotten a particularly good deal on camera equipment, go ahead and brag.  The rest of us like to know where the deals are too.         

Long Exposure Photography Tutorial (Light trails)

Superman in St. Louis

Can't take credit for this picture of Clark Kent / Superman.  It was actually taken by a friend, from Church, John Shryock. 

Danang Vietnam