<center><img src="http://www.rokkorfiles.com/photos/X700-with-MD1-500.jpg"></center><p>I debated between this one and a Nikon FM3. What was you guys first SLR that you caught the bug with?

It's still in the garage somewhere. Didn't know crap about anything photo-related back in the early '90s. Didn't get back into photography until 2001 (Sony DSC-P5 for pics of the new baby).

I couldn't begin to list everything I've shot since then...

various Canon 35mm SLRs (AE1, AE1P, and several EOS Elan and 1-series), Hasselblads, Rolleis, Mamiyas, Contax's, etc.

I still have an old Nikkormat. That's the only film body left in my collection.

This handsome fella is me 25 years ago, taking some pictures at a music school in Moscow - yes, I'm that old :) The camera is that old Pentax k1000

<img src="http://tarkhan-mouravi.com/test/1983.jpg">

;) Great photo. This is interesting, how did you end up in Moscow?

I grew up in Moscow - my parents moved there from Tbilisi, Georgia when I was 11 months old.

But I couldn't afford one when I was younger, and there wasn't one laying around.. he said slr, but I got hooked when I was 16 and made my first pinhole camera.

Ahh, I see. But you live now in the US, right?

Heh, you have a very good way of handling your future midlife crisis. I'm sure the Leica and Porsche will get you over it ;)

I turned 37 in April. Exactly one year ago I went to the local Porsche dealer and test drove the new 997 Turbo. After a couple of sleepless nights I decided that I need to have a really major crisis to justify that kind of a car :) It was sooo sweet though...

<img src="http://www.ritzcam.com/catalog/images/NikkormatELBf.jpg">

Used it to shoot this shot, among others, in highschool. I switched to a Nikon 2002 after this, then went to an 8008. When that developed a focusing problem, I replaced it with an N70, my least favorite camera evAr. Then I got bit by the digital bug. Went to a Powershot A20, G2, then the Drebel and now the 30D.

<img src="http://gallery.kris-hansen.com/gallery/jason.jpg">

I went to School of journalism at Moscow University - an elite institution raising future eagles of Soviet propaganda :). We all interned with major newspapers and news agencies, so we had impressive press badges - those were great for opening normally closed doors, as well as hearts of young impressionable women.

just kidding about the Porsche, of course, not with 2 kids...

Leica is becoming more and more attractive - I need an everyday camera, but don't want to settle for image quality of P&amp;S.

Will probably get the M8 and CV Color-Scopar 35mm lens to start with.

Yeah, Porsche is probably a lousy family car :)

I've seen several stunning photos taken with the M8, It's a really nice piece of equipment indeed.

the M8 is compact, well-made, wide angle lenses are non-retrofocus and hey, it's a Leica.

I'm still struggling with the price of admission though - while my wife is very understanding, I'm still having guilt feeling about dumping another $5K+ on a hobby

I was thinking of selling off all my Canon primes and keeping only the 28-70 and 70-200 zooms and maybe the 300mm. Then my conscience would be somewhat clear :)

srsly

Just remember that it's still a whole lot cheaper than a Porsche!

28-70, 70-200 and the 300 should cover most situations, so you probably wouldn't have any regrets after shooting some pics with the M8. Go for it, I say!

next year we hope to start taking the kids to Europe and lugging Canon gear while watching 2 kids isn't exactly my ideal vacation :)

this is a prety bad scan of an old print (good old tri-x pan 400 pushed to God knows what). I like the composition very much as well.

had a slew of P&amp;S digital cameras since 2000. before that, i just used disposables.

for my Meade telescope. Did a lot of night shooting with it.

I have to admit that all the phot taking automation in my 20D does make life a whole lot easier!

Andrew