Nikonos V -- Underwater Photos

Hey yo Steemit!
Underwater Projects are in motion!
I have been talking about getting into underwater photography for a while now. I finally took the plunge and I bought my Nikonos V. The Nikonos is a 35 mm underwater camera that was launched in 1984. As a vacation nanny, I got to spend a lot of time in the pools of Key West while the baby was asleep. I would use waterproof cases for the iPhone all the time when I had down time. Because of my slight obsession with water and photos, my employer bought me an Olympus TG- 4 and gave me the nickname, "Mir nanny". It was fun to play with while taking a lot of selfies and photos of the baby in the water.


About two months ago I was shopping for cameras and I defiantly did not have the money to buy an underwater housing for my Digital SLR camera. I really love film and I knew that the Nikonos was the best camera for me. Shortly after the research, I went to an art show in Minneapolis. There were a lot of people at the art show and I was standing on the patio and looked down to see an orange Nikonos in a gentlemen's hand sitting right under me. I squealed in excitement and bent down to chat with him (Lucas) about the camera for about 20 minutes. Lucas and I ended the conversation by following each other on Instagram. I was a bit taken back by my meeting him at the crowded art show. Not a lot of people still shoot with the Nikons and if they do, they usually live on a coast and not Minneapolis. I wanted to order the camera before I left to visit Toronto. I was taking a one week vacation to visit my sister and I wanted to use that down time to play with the camera and get used it. I ordered the camera and I wanted to order a lens that I could use in and out of water. I planned on getting the camera wet but not fully submerged every time. Taking the focus into consideration, I decided to order the 20 mm lens. I thought that I could zone focus better with that lens (which I can). The camera and the lens came just in time for my Toronto trip. The issue I ended up having was that the 20 mm lens was for underwater use only. There were no plans for underwater photography in Toronto. The 35 mm lens works for under water and on land.


My Nikonos was useless for my trip! I was bummed out so just grabbed a few other film cameras to take with me. I was leaving for Toronto on Wednesday morning but I had to bar tend all night on Tuesday. On my break at work, I checked my Instagram and Lucas messaged me about my new purchase. I told him my issue and with no hesitation, him and his girlfriend showed up at the bar and loaned me a 35 mm lens for the week. I could not believe that someone would do such a nice thing! I was so tickled. I gave him a roll of film in exchange and packed my Nikonos with me! I am so grateful for my new friend and my new tool. I can not wait to post photos and do some underwater projects. I would like to shoot in bathtubs, showers, underwater wedding dresses, underwater cookouts, and so much more. EEEE!!!! I am so ecstatic for this summer and new friends that share the same passion.