Thread: Satellites....put things into perspective.....

Brilliant photos, Ron!

Thanks, Ron. I love the P.P.E.

Moree ES Jan 1968.jpg | From the entrance driveway Pentax Sp… | Flickr

Ah, the old Pentax Spotmatic! What a camera, definitely a man of good taste!

Originally Posted by Old Farang

Ah, the old Pentax Spotmatic! What a camera, definitely a man of good taste!

A lot of money to a 20yo, too! I recall it cost me $180 - about 2 weeks wages at the time. I used it until it was replaced with a Pentax SFx autofocus camera I bought whilst working in Saudi Arabia in 1989 (I still have the SFx plus a lot of other Pentax cameras, digital and film). The Spotmatic was eventually stolen about 10 years ago.

Originally Posted by p38arover

A lot of money to a 20yo, too! I recall it cost me $180 - about 2 weeks wages at the time. I used it until it was replaced with a Pentax SFx autofocus camera I bought whilst working in Saudi Arabia in 1989 (I still have the SFx plus a lot of other Pentax cameras, digital and film). The Spotmatic was eventually stolen about 10 years ago.

I bought mine duty free around 1971-2, cannot recall what it cost. I still have it, although it too was stolen but I was able to get it back! It has a strange battery voltage which are evidently no longer made. The wrong voltage affects the light meter, but can be allowed for if you remember how!
It also has screw mounted lens, which are also pretty much obsolete.

I now have a Pentax Kr digital with an assortment of bayonet mount lens. It is a good camera but a bit heavy to lug around for an old grump! It has a white body, which is a bit unusual. Cheers

Originally Posted by p38arover

Pretty impressive stuff. I'd be able to work my way around it to a degree.

This was Ceduna Satellite Earth Station (now a radio telescope) - that's me at the desk in 1970.

Ceduna Earth Station 1969-70.jpg | Ron Beckett | Flickr



Only the building. The two antennae were relocated, one to Sydney (Oxford Falls), the other to Gnangara (Perth) about 30 years ago. This is what it was like when I was there in 1968-69 (single antenna back then).

Moree ES Jan 1968.jpg | From the entrance driveway Pentax Sp… | Flickr

Me up in the antenna low noise receiver room.

Moree Ron Beckett Aug 1968.jpg | A young Ron Beckett (20yo) … | Flickr

GEEEZ! That was a bit of a shock Ron. I thought it was Daniel Andrews climbing through the steel-work.

Maybe it is time I visited Specsavers again.



Thanks for the images Ron, it is good to see what other people have achieved in their earlier lives.

Originally Posted by Old Farang

Moree ES Jan 1968.jpg | From the entrance driveway Pentax Sp… | Flickr

Ah, the old Pentax Spotmatic! What a camera, definitely a man of good taste!

Originally Posted by p38arover

A lot of money to a 20yo, too! I recall it cost me $180 - about 2 weeks wages at the time. I used it until it was replaced with a Pentax SFx autofocus camera I bought whilst working in Saudi Arabia in 1989 (I still have the SFx plus a lot of other Pentax cameras, digital and film). The Spotmatic was eventually stolen about 10 years ago.

Dear old dad gave me his Spotmatic (SP500) when I turned 16 as I borrowed it more than he used it.
I was taking photos all the time at school as the 'official' school photog. So many of the photos in the annual school magazine were mine and developed in the school dark room

I've treasured that camera and still have it, acquiring a few Super Takumar lenses to go with it, too.
And it still takes great photos, even though I mostly use my Fujifilm digi camera these days.