In February 2000, I purchased my first 35mm SLR camera with the intent to improve my outdoor photography on my walking trips into the hills. Until this time, I had been using disposable Kodak cameras. They were small enough to fit into my trouser pocket and lightweight to be carried in conjunction with all my other gear. Despite these facts, the disposable camera isn't very versatile. There are only any good for quick snap shots, not landscape photography. They have no lenses to broaden the potential of a good photo, and you cannot use filters or manually override the camera.

I purchased a Minolta Dynax 404si with a 28-80 lens and quickly followed it with a couple of books to get the most out of my new purchase. Once I started reading about manual overrides, different film types, lenses and filters, lighting and different techniques my collection of camera related goodies increased. It would be a waste of money to simply use the equipment I have only for when I go on my walking trips, and so I began to take an interest in photography in general.

Today my equipment consists of my original Minolta Dynax 404si, a second Minolta Dynax 505si Super, 2x28-80 AF Zoom lens, 1x75-300 AF Zoom lens, Cosina 100mm AF Macro Lens, a 62mm 8 point starburst filter, a 62mm 81a warm up filter, a 62mm orange filter, a 62mm Polariser and 8X DCF MC Pentax binoculars. Although I began using Fuji colour print film, today I primarily use Fuji Velvia or Sensia slide film. Besides mounting my camera on a Centon PV23 tripod, I also have accessories to mount my camera on my Tasco GT80 telescope.

On these following pages you will find my results from using my camera in various situations.