I have a Nikon D50 SLR, with a Quantaray 18-200mm lens and a Nikon Speedlight SB600 flash. Quantaray is pretty much the Kia or Kmart of lenses, it's pretty much Kit's Camera/Ritz's housebrand, and most photographers hiss and cross themselves when they hear the word. I however, being far too much of an amateur to know better, consistantly get praise for my shots all around. I have nothing bad to say about Quantaray, and as you are about the 20th person to compliment me in the year I've owned it, I can only imagine what I might do with a real lens.
I must admit, that the pictures in this thread were taken (on a paper cutter, on my picnic table) outdoors on a clear October day. Regardless of what the subject matter is, I learned a long time ago that there is no light like sunlight when it comes to photography. I also learned that background can make or break a picture, and I thought the black grid on a (off)white background would accent the black of the pistol nicely.
I'd looked at a lot of Luger pictures, and knew which ones I thought were cool, and which ones were mediocre.
I have found that whether I'm talking still shots of a Luger, or action shots of a motocross race, it's all about composition. I've never taken a class or read a book about photography, and don't consider myself anything but the bottom level of novice, but I know what I think looks good, and that seems to be in line with a lot of other peoples tastes as well.
As to initiations, I have previously had two Lugers in the past (an S/42 K date, and a 1920 Commercial if I recall correctly), both of which I wish I had never parted with. I've bought two Lugers in the last two months (this S/42, and a thrashed 1917 DWM), and I already have plans to buy two more (an artillery shooter, and a navy shooter) as soon as I finish my wife's kitchen remodel (and can find them). So I assume there is no hope for me and I am as condemed as the rest of you...What a fate!
