View Full Version : Vintage film cameras
I only had a brief look at the Bessa before sending it to you, so not had a chance to appreciate the features. Got a roll of Kodak Ektar for each of the when I get them back. I pulled apart my AE1 Program again to try and sort the power switch. Cleaned up the contacts a bit and it seems to have helped. Need to get some spring clip pliers though. I think they do some thin tipped jewellery pliers that should work nicely.
Dug out the old Yashica Sequelle again. Even IF I can get the motor working again, this lever seems to be out of sync:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/24871369745_2cdee50790_z_zpseyypc3lp.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/24871369745_2cdee50790_z_zpseyypc3lp.jpg.html)
It should follow the shutting co-cking arm and stop the mechanism when the shutter is set, but it stops half way.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/24753491662_a1b9d89470_z_zpscmuxlo4o.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/24753491662_a1b9d89470_z_zpscmuxlo4o.jpg.html)
Hey Johnny, any good to you?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1970s-Roberts-Radio-RC-1-in-Green-Case-GA11-/351875711325?hash=item51ed6d415d:g:lUYAAOSwmLlX~ko x
Found this video useful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bYyrjhsU5M&list=PLbBpUKJh6LClYRE3FXLnJ4NjVw4h0CWRw
johnnyrod
22-10-16, 06:34 PM
I watched one of his vids when I was trying to find out more about the Copal shutter on my Konica, they're good to see all the bits. PS thanks but radio already sold - Mrs Rod might not be so keen on the look of them anyway. Shame as there is a Roberts R900 in Sheffield for £15, might have to check the resale price as it has a busted on/off switch which is apparently a common fault and easy to fix. Got a bit from the US on my Kodak EK8 so it should go this weekend. I double checked the postage! I'll break even but at least it's going.
I have no idea what's going on with your Sequelle! What are all the bits in there for?
Well the motor is in the bottom right corner. Most of the left hand side is to do with frame counting and the rest is for co-cking the shutter. There is a three AA battery pack in the back and the idea is it shoots, resets the shutter and advances the film at the push of a button. However I can't get power to the motor via the pack. Can make it move by applying power directly to the motor. Think the shutter is jammed but no idea how to split it down. It's a half frame camera as well.
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johnnyrod
22-10-16, 07:49 PM
I would start with sorting out the power supply to the motor, so it'll run off the batteries. If it's not been running properly, it could just take a few cycles for it to get its xhit together. Mindless optimism FTW. I'd definitely start there though.
Yeah, maybe over the Chrimbo break. In the meantime I have fixed my Mini Rex II light meter. The glass had come loose and was pressing on the needle. Took the time to re-glue the leatherette as well.
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johnnyrod
22-10-16, 09:12 PM
I had a similar thing with the Bessa tonight. Was snapping away fine until I put the fascia plate back on, then was sticking part way through the long times, then next fire was far too quick. Turns out one of the followers (the main one really) on the escapement was a bit twisted:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8641/30197979720_3de8ce65aa_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/N1uxhL)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/N1uxhL) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
so was dragging on the back of the fascia. On the long times, when you fire the shutter, it rises up then drops back. So, it was sticking part-way through its travel, then on the next shot it was still high so gave a short shutter time like it should. I've got it working I think although the 1 second is a bit hesitant if it's not been used, maybe just needs some use because after that it sounds good. Will test it tomorrow. Glass is now nice and clean, this one looks to have been looked after. Not really sure how it collimates, there doesn't seem to be any adjustment to speak of, but will check it and hope it's close enough! With such a long lens you have a small DoF so you want the focus to be accurate - although it is scale focus.
You have good eyes, I probably wouldn't have spotted that. Been outbid on pretty much everything I have tried for. Still winning one but I'm not hopeful.
yokohama
23-10-16, 01:28 PM
I thought I'd better check in as I only get on to the site intermittently and am pretty busy. Weekends are the only time I have free. I went out today to a place called Dujiangyan, some kind of irrigation project that's been turned into a tourist site and park. Spent a pleasant few hours there and fired off a few shots with the OM10. It would have been nice with a bit of colour and sunshine but the weather here is grey. I've been here 3 weeks now and have seen blue sky 3 times.
You guys would have enjoyed yesterday. On a recommendation I found a 3 floor shopping mall entirely dedicated to photography. mainly digital stuff and the top floor was wedding photography, picture framing and frock hire. But a couple of places selling (expensive) second hand film cameras and a guy selling film, kept in a fridge too. So that's 2 places where I know I can buy film. No processing though, but someone gave me a map showing a place that does it. problem is, they only open Monday to Friday.
Good luck with all the repair work that's going on. :p
johnnyrod
23-10-16, 04:35 PM
hi Yokes! Sounds like you're having fun - apart from the weather. Are you enjoying the trip?
Checked the shutter times on your Bessa Kenzie:
1/150 is actually 1/97
100 is 80
50 is 33
25 is 21
10 is 11
5 is 3.9
2 is 2
1 second is 1.1 seconds
The top speed(s) always suffer worst, but the others aren't too bad, only one other outside the 20-25% you'd want. It's really quiet too; it doesn't have a big main lever like the Certo, but is a bit more modern, with the cokking lever turning a small shaft instead of rotating around the entire shutter. Will reassemble it later and hope the focus is right! Next job will be my Contessa.
johnnyrod
23-10-16, 04:37 PM
You have good eyes
You should see my daughter, she's only 4 but she can spot anything. It's almost like Kryten reading a book, a millisecond is enough!
Evening Yoko, can't wait to see the photos. Will you be leaving the OM10 out there or is it coming back with you? Picked up some more film from Poundland, seems to be getting harder to find. Always pick up five rolls if I see any. I will most likely keep to using the Bessa on clear bright days with Sunny 16, so 80 instead of 100 shouldn't be an issue. Need to find some info on the Mini Rex as I have no idea how to use it! Didn't know you were a Dwarf fan Johnny.
johnnyrod
23-10-16, 07:41 PM
Everyone's a Dwarf fan! The overexposure shouldn't be a problem, it's less than a stop anyway. I've forgotten which way round it is, but a rule of thumb is that the high speeds should be within 20% of the stated speed, low speeds within 25% - could be the other way around, it's much of a muchness anyway. Apertures can be off by as much as half a stop too, then there's poor metering.
Let's run a film through and see what happens. Just realised that the Mini Rex has a scale for the Scheider and Weston metering systems, so no use really. Looks nice though. Will have to use an app or the Stitz or Leningrad 8 meters. Just won a Canon Dial, been after one for a while.
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johnnyrod
23-10-16, 09:23 PM
A couple of things while I remember. I don't think either of these have coated lenses, so be wary of incident sunlight on the glass, a hood is useful but you can always use the camera door as a shade. I still haven't scanned any from my Certo but you can see the flare quite easily. When I made sure I shaded it, it came out well. On the Bessa, when it opens there is a little pin that also pushes open the viewfinder, though the last couple of times I tried it, it didn't, maybe it didn't go high enough. Anyway you can see it just under the edge of the finder cover as it's silver, and you just have to pull up the cover yourself, there's no latch on it. The struts seem to need pushing to lock them; it opens fine, but the last little bit needs a bit of help. Push the tab on the inside of the lens door to release the struts before folding up. Finally, I have no idea how the 6x4.5 mask comes out, maybe it says in the manual, but it has a little poky bit at its corner. This opens both of the red windows, otherwise one is automatically closed (for 6x9), so you know if the mask been put in (even with film loaded), and whether to use one window or both. Nice.
From what I have read, its quite a feature packed little camera. The film mask simply pulls out, the metal isn't very thick and it quite flexible. Will most likely shoot with it in place. When I tried colimation on a MF camera I have pretty much done what you have with 35mm and they have turned out fine. Can't wait to shoot with it.
If you ever get the urge to "just take it apart to see whats wrong", just don't. Opened up my Ricoh Auto 35 to see if the meter was dead and had a tough time getting it back together. Meter works fine but the spring that operates the auto apeture mech had rusted and broken in half. Not sure if the focus is right now so will need to check it before shooting.
johnnyrod
24-10-16, 08:52 PM
I would say "that'll teach you" but...
FINALLY scanned some pics. So in no particular order, Certo:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8630/30428301472_b5b3d2b435_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NmQZVs)Crawick Multiverse (https://flic.kr/p/NmQZVs) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5607/30544868825_c39e008792_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Nx9rkp)train (https://flic.kr/p/Nx9rkp) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
The zombie Konica S:
https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5783/29914421684_0f3f162e8d_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Mzren7)girasol (https://flic.kr/p/Mzren7) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5549/30457384361_c4d2dd2574_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Npq4fz)lemurs (https://flic.kr/p/Npq4fz) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
Some other really good ones, including one of my wife reading on the sofa in low (ambient) light, I think this is where the faster lens (obviously) and the multiple elements really show their hand compared to the simpler Tessar. But very low light aside, it can still hold its own in the 21st century:
https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5699/29911939063_816ef222b7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Mzdvni)barber (https://flic.kr/p/Mzdvni) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
...I'll never learn! I like the first shot, framing and leading lines taking you down the photo. Is that you in the last shot? I also really like the sun flower shot.
johnnyrod
24-10-16, 09:15 PM
Yep, thought I'd give Ana a go with the clippers, can't do any worse than the time my wife left the guard off and turned my head into a money box, with a big slot up the back! I took another of the sunflowers at f11 as it was close range (about 1m) so the DoF at f4 is only 10cm (0.95-1.05m) and I could have lost part of the flower head. I did something similar at f1.8 and the DoF is 2cm and I couldn't even get the whole subject to be sharp! Anyway at f11 the background is a lot less bokeh'd, I didn't expect it to that extent.
Hey Yoko, do they have an 127 film out there or have I already asked that?
johnnyrod
25-10-16, 09:17 PM
Post office today, you should hopefully have a present soon Kenzie! Also the Kodak EK8 sold to a guy in NY state, USA. I put it down for £10 Royal Mail economy, which is true, but they don't tell you that it's surface mail and take 6 weeks to get to the US! He'd asked me to confirm the postage but I didn't realise the time! So I spun the extra fiver for air mail instead. Was fuming. He's offered to send me the difference which is good of him, it's £10 purchase plus £15 postage in that case! But apparently hard to find over there as they were never sold in the US. I'm happy to put international postage on again but will check it out even more next time, maybe add a couple of options. The other things I sold overseas were Norway and Portugal and arrived in a week or less - wonder if they were surface mail too, though they're just a ferry ride away.
Spent a chunk of the day at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, which is much more cool (esp for kids) that it might seem. Big park, loads of trees, so you keep finding more and more new things. Took our cameras, my K2 and my daughter with her Fuji snapper, need to copy the pics off it. Had a session after lunch to build your own sculpture, ours was a family of giant squid made from tyres and piping, among other things. Her quote on Henry Moore: "I'm not going to build something as terrible as that!"
Cool, will let you know when it arrives. Really need to get out and shoot some more, all the Autumn colours are out. My wife might be working this weekend so I will try and get out with a couple of cameras. At least you managed to move it on and they were ok with the postage. Sounds like you had a good day.
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Got my Canon Dial today, didn't realise it needs a 1.35v mercury battery. Will instead be given a 1.5v replacement so I cannot test the shutter yet (might as yet be faulty). It is a lot bigger than I expected. I also received my Ektar 120 order so I will respool some onto 620 spools and try out My Hawkeye flash.
Hey Johnny, got the package back. I see what you mean about the missing focus stop on the Certo. Will have to figure something out. Can see a small screw hole near to where it would have been. Will load up the Bessa and take it out this weekend if I get time.
Edit
Just loaded the Bessa and noticed that the film numbers on the backing won't line up with the red windows. I spooled a whole film and nothing. I flipped the film around and wound it back and noticed that I could see the edge of the numbers. I seem to have to run the film backwards!
johnnyrod
27-10-16, 05:59 PM
Hmm curious about the Bessa, is there anything in t'internet about it? I'm also a bit bemused about the Certo, it doesn't add up. If you see my earlier complicated post then it might make more sense now with it in your hand, but then again may not! I am going to go over my Bessa 66 soon and it has a similar kind of stop, maybe it'll make a bit more sense when I look at it.
Have asked on the Flickr thread for the FPP and will see what they say.
FPP say that the Ektar numbers are off slightly and the Bessa is one of the few cameras that can't cope with it.
Just won a BX20 plus Pentacon lens. £9 plus postage. Just reloaded the Bessa with some HP5+ and the numbers now show correctly.
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johnnyrod
28-10-16, 08:11 PM
Interesting about the Bessa, I'd wondered if the film made a difference. You got your BX20! I still have to figure out the problems with mine before sending it on its way.
www.gumtree.com/p/video-camera-accessories/pentax-asahi-esii-camera-and-three-asahi-takumar-lenses.-cokin-filters-various./1196322129
Nice M42 set up if you're in the Bristol area. 50mm f1.4 on there, very tasty.
It did make a difference, Kodak only print one set of 6x9 numbers whereas everybody else prints two sets right next to each other. So effectively Kodak are 1cm out and hidden by the film door. Slightly annoying but will try other colour 120 in it.
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Hope this helps? The Kodak backing doesn't have the inner set of numbers
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161028/b0fe93d1a2f6d4b25d398ea08b30a7a1.jpg
But yes, won a BX.
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What a nugget. Took my Zorki 10 out and took a few shots and guess what...
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5637/30337541490_15fdcfcd63_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NdPQ9b)Minolta 16 ii (https://flic.kr/p/NdPQ9b) by Matt McKenzie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/39887875@N06/), on Flickr
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5726/30637353665_55e4e3a4a8_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NFjrRB)Minolta 16 ii (https://flic.kr/p/NFjrRB) by Matt McKenzie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/39887875@N06/), on Flickr
johnnyrod
29-10-16, 12:47 PM
Lens cap on or no film? Minolta 16, seem to remember someone else having one of those? Should be interesting to get that one going!
No film! I also picked up another Minolta 16mm from the same guy for £2 and it has an exposed film inside and a mint Canon camera bag for £3 to keep my AE 1P and lenses in. Also saw a Cosmic symbol in pretty bad shape so I left it where it was. The kit was £14.
Had a quick look at the focus on the Certo, looks to be ok. As long as I don't unwind it past four feet I should be ok. Have loaded some Ektar. Can't set it to bulb mode though.
johnnyrod
29-10-16, 06:46 PM
For T or B you don't cokk the shutter, just operate the shutter release. T struggles to latch but you could try it with a cable release as the extra slop of the external lever doesn't help, or just use it on B with a cable release. Remember, do not adjust the shutter speed once it is cokked.
Ah, makes sense. Film loaded now so will see. Can't believe it's back together! Taking my nephew out tomorrow so will take the Certo along.
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johnnyrod
29-10-16, 08:44 PM
Good luck with it! I don't like unfinished jobs but maybe you can get it to focus.
yokohama
30-10-16, 11:17 AM
Lots of reading to catch up on in these pages. I see you've been buying again Kenzie. I want to buy at least one not-so-expensive Chinese camera while I'm out here although I've failed to find anywhere selling lots of them yet but I have another lead to follow up later. The OM10 will be staying out here, but I've still got the one from you at home. She wanted an Olympus so I got one off ebay for her. I haven't seen any 127 film but I can have a look next time I'm in the film shop if you are after some.
It's certainly interesting out here. Food is good, high speed trains are great and there are some good places to see but it's really busy. Really hard to take photos as there are thousands of selfie stick wielding daytrippers everywhere who are prepared to - physically- push you out of the way to get in for their photo. I got shoulder charged by a granny yesterday, but it's normal. Very different culture and way of thinking.
It's still grey but the temp has suddenly dropped by about 8 degrees and it's a lot colder. Was out today walking by the river and took a few pics with the TZ9 but the grey really messes with the background, colours and definition.
Once I finish the film in the OM10, I'll move on to the Trip, try to get a few street shots and maybe try some night pics.
Sounds like you are having a good time. Yes, most definitely buying again. Out today with the Lubitel, newly reassembled Certo and one of my Auto 110s. Even if they had 127 film I would have thought it would be expensive. Its getting a bit like that in London. A lot of the tourists use selfie sticks. I have also been lining up a shot and had someone push in front of me.
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johnnyrod
30-10-16, 08:01 PM
Quick one, check out this bad boy in picture no.3 complete with Waterhouse stops
www.gumtree.com/p/antiques/folding-cameras/1196475992
Wow, that's quite a collection!
Got through seven shots on the Certo, four more left. It has quite a bit of weight behind it, a couple of niggles are you have to open the note door to see the red windows and the shutter release isn't the easiest to use. Also fired off eight from the Lubitel and managed to drop the Auto 110, luckily its ok.
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johnnyrod
30-10-16, 09:54 PM
Your trip sounds ace, Yoko, I love exploring places.
The Certo shutter is a bit odd but I sort of like it. Yeah opening the flap is a pain, but the intention was to use the automatic frame spacing, though I'm not sure it's accurate enough. That and I've forgotten how. Mine has a tendency to slip off the slot in the film spool, I had more success putting the film in backwards; not sure if it was the fault of the spool.
Should be a good time to get out and look for autumn colour, things are changing up here.
Automatic film spacing? Does mine have that?
Yeah I am thinking the same thing about the Autumn colours, been getting a bit foggy here as well over the last couple of days. Got plenty to shoot with, just got to find the time!
johnnyrod
31-10-16, 12:52 PM
https://flic.kr/p/tTWe5
and the next page. If you look at the film knob it has numbers, though they are not evenly spaced, as the film spool gets thicker as you wind it on. Would be worth a test to set it to your current frame number and see if it matches the red windows. It's pretty rudimentary I think (though Certo were pretty good) and may not work as film backing paper now is thinner than it used to be, this is also a problem with some Super Ikontas. There are workarounds - the thickness isn't greatly different. I think you can wrap the fixing tape around the spool as well to thicken it, there are things on line if you google for Super Ikonta frame spacing fix.
johnnyrod
31-10-16, 02:55 PM
www.gumtree.com/p/video-camera-accessories/akarui-e96d-photographic-equipment-cabinet/1190605100
Hey Johnny, what was wrong with your BX20 again? Just read it will only fire at 1/90 with dead or no battery.
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www.gumtree.com/p/video-camera-accessories/akarui-e96d-photographic-equipment-cabinet/1190605100 (http://www.gumtree.com/p/video-camera-accessories/akarui-e96d-photographic-equipment-cabinet/1190605100)
Seen it all now. A camera fridge!
johnnyrod
31-10-16, 08:53 PM
Yep it'll only fire at one speed, although it does have a battery in it - I think there is no power reaching the solenoids, though not sure why. The meter reads 2-3 stops wrong, may or may not be related. The battery seems fine, it's 6V though so will have to rig up a temporary replacement to see if that's the problem. The LEDs for the meter look bright, so it's not simply dead. Am hoping it'll be some simple problem like the battery and rest is fine. Not got around to it! Not sure when I will actually, loads going on at work and at home. Having another clearout so might knock out the Bessa 66 as well. Not looked at my Contessa yet, except with longing.
Just sticking the covering back down on the BX at the mo and then I'll give it a good cleaning. Took the battery out of my AE-1 (which seems to now have Canon cough) and the BX fires on all speeds. Wind lever makes a funny click at the end of its stroke though. Also someone has snapped the rewind crank and just glued it back together. Works though. Can't complain for £9 considering I was mostly after the lens.
johnnyrod
01-11-16, 09:48 AM
When winding mine on it doesn't exactly sound refined, and yes there is a sort of click at the end as it latches.
Its agricultural you mean?
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johnnyrod
01-11-16, 02:54 PM
Oh yes, especially compared to a Pentax
More of a workhorse than a sports car. As long as I can get the dreamy photos I have heard it can produce, I'm happy.
Some seriously spooky vintage Halloween film photos
https://www.lomography.com/magazine/324729-vintage-obscure-halloween-costumes-to-creep-you-out
johnnyrod
02-11-16, 09:53 PM
Holy cow. Anyway in the words of the prophet, from funk to funky:
391611107167
Hmm, been looking for one of those.
johnnyrod
02-11-16, 10:14 PM
Never even heard of it! You've got a thing for 110 though and it looks pretty nifty.
Some great colours and tones outside today, shot nothing but am out and about with work tomorrow so will pack the K2. Also trying to work out why I'm crap with medium format. I've shot four films and they get more crap each time. For sure you get only 12 shots in 6x6 but I can manage more than two good ones off a roll of Poundland. Hmm. Maybe 6x4.5 would be better, or maybe MF isn't for me! Maybe I'm trying to be too clever and it turns out, I'm not clever enough.
Yeah, this one is the MK2. There was a really strange looking MK1 which was basically flat with a massive lens sticking out of the front. What do you mean by "no good at"?
Vintage photo camera anyone?
252614019346
Minolta 110 Zoom MK1
232130263162
johnnyrod
03-11-16, 08:33 PM
I quite like the aesthetics of the Mk1.
MF, I dunno. It's the first time I've tried square format, and I've found out how many times I use the rectangular format as part of the composition. B&W can be tricky as we see in colour - the pictures from the Crawick Multiverse lost a bit I think as everything was green or grey, but a similar shade. That's a separate thing though. Sometimes I get really duff exposure, maybe the film is more tricky than I'd thought, I've not used the same ones in 35mm. I'll have to post some and some 35mm ones for comparison. Am likely to give it another go soon as I lost half the B&W film so will want to repeat some of those pictures, if I can. Maybe I should try it in 6x4.5. You got any thoughts on 35mm vs 120?
Well most of my mf are 6x9, I don't think any of mine are 6x6 and only the Bessa is 6x4.5. Only square formats I have are the 127s. I like working with mf as the negs are huge. Having said that, I started with mf before adding 35mm when I got back into film so I can happily work with both. I think I enjoy mf more though. I think the key with black and white is having lots of contrast. As you say, similar tones will just merge into one and give a poor photo. I won the mk 2 for the starting bid. Hoping its an easy fix. Got the batteries through for the BX and got it loaded. Got so many on the go that I have lost track! Will send you a roll of expired 110 Tiger if you got for the mk1.
Hey Johnny, did you know that Pentacon lenses were made by a daughter company of Zeiss Jena which was split off from Carl Zeiss at the end of WW2. May have a poor name but the glass should be excellent.
262703338960
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johnnyrod
07-11-16, 09:27 PM
Nothing wrong with a Pentacon lens!
More half frame madness
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Taron-Chic-Camera-And-Case-/291930187685
Just around the corner from you isn't it? Just shelled out on these:
322312725071
172387163465
johnnyrod
07-11-16, 09:55 PM
Ha, so it is! Look like a couple of good ones you have there.
Don't know much about the Zeiss, hoping its a good one. Bit quiet in here.
johnnyrod
08-11-16, 03:09 PM
Right, finally copied some pictures, just took photos with my phone
https://flic.kr/s/aHskGLdjU2
There are 12 from my Mess Ikonta using Porta 400, 6 from the Certo using Ilford HP5 (second half of the film as fogged out), 24 from the Konica S (including sunflowers) and 24 from the Contessamat. Some of them are experiments, but most are just trying to get good shots. Not sure why the ones of my daughter have come out with such a dark background, I was trying to use fill flash and think I got the settings the wrong way round - it was daylight! Anyway ignoring the fact that small pictures always look better, see what you think 35mm vs. MF. Some of the MF ones (mainly colour) are focused too long, but I doubt you can tell.
The MF shots look like they turned out ok. Were these rangefinders or zone focus cameras?
johnnyrod
08-11-16, 07:34 PM
35mm are RFs, Certo is, Ikonta is scale focus but built in uncoupled RF
So if you say that they are focussing long, then is that down to you or your collimating?
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johnnyrod
08-11-16, 08:37 PM
I don't know, it seems to be something I do with all cameras somehow, or it could be the RF that's out. The Certo pics are sharp, the one of Ana shelling peas was wide open (and still underexposed!) but she is in good focus at short range, which is the hardest test. Ikontas can be tricky to collimate though so I'm not yet sure.
It's possible, I had to tweak the rf on my Zorki 4. Was about a foot out or so.
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johnnyrod
08-11-16, 09:18 PM
I was thinking more about the pictures themselves though
I thought that the shots looked ok for the most part. You alive out there Yoko?
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johnnyrod
08-11-16, 09:41 PM
Maybe I'm expecting miracles from MF for no reason!
You mean that you get on better with 35mm?
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johnnyrod
08-11-16, 10:06 PM
What do the results tell you?
That you prefer 35mm. Although most of your MF shots are ok.
Thanks for the tip on the Minolta Zoom. Camera arrived today and is in full working order as far as I can tell. Managed to open the battery cover, just needed more twist than the assessor was willing to try. New batteries in and it fired right up. Loaded some expired 110 Konica film. The Contina ii arrived as well. Camera is in great shape but a little slow on the low speeds and there is marks on the lens that look like fungus or over eager cleaning. Shame really. Will run a film through and see how they come out.
Don't know if this will be of interest?
http://photography.news/bbc-launch-new-photography-series-britain-focus/
I also sent off the film found in the Cresta. Hopefully nothing unsavoury on it! Hoping for old scenes of Felixstowe in days gone by.
Hey Johnny, that Contina I sent to you, what lens does it have? Is it a Novacar f2.8 45mm?
johnnyrod
10-11-16, 09:05 PM
Nope it's the Novar 45mm f3.5. Glad you got a good one with the Minolta! Also interesting BBC prog, I can't offer them anything unfortunately, my childhood was too chaotic and my grandparents couldn't afford cameras.
No worries, just picked up another Contina ii and will swap out the lens if it's ok. Any spares you need from it?
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johnnyrod
10-11-16, 09:19 PM
The Contina you sent is too far gone really, though I am on the lookout for a rear lens element for a Tessar 50mm f2.8. I don't know the focal length off the top of my head. It's for a Contessa LK which I bought to donate the same to an LKE. It's fully functional otherwise so if I can get it usable again then I could sell it on. I checked the focal length of the old and new ones and they were the same, and it worked fine. The Novar is a triplet though, so likely not to be the same. Also reminds me, I was going to take the knackered element to work to check under the microscope, but I think the surface is badly etched all over, it looks foggy and flares a lot with any light.
johnnyrod
10-11-16, 09:28 PM
Super cool
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-1950s-JAPANESE-MAMIYA-16-SPY-SUBMINIATURE-FILM-CAMERA-/322313498030
The £2 Dacora has had fungus etch the rear element. Took it out and cleaned off the fungus but it's marked. It also missing the winder kn-ob. Shutter works great though! Looking forward to the Christmas break so I can get out and shoot.
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Super cool
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-1950s-JAPANESE-MAMIYA-16-SPY-SUBMINIATURE-FILM-CAMERA-/322313498030
Looks cool but I have a couple of 16mm from the boot sale. Film is uber hard to find though.
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johnnyrod
12-11-16, 08:40 PM
Looked at the Contessa rear element (group) under a microscope, it's got all kinds of damage. There are long scratches, pits, tiny scratches that look like haze with the naked eye, it's a right mess. Removing these is almost impossible because trying to keep the surface of the lens the same shape is near impossible. I guess I bought it as a donor but it seems bad to have it not working just for one thing. I did shoot one film in the other Contessa with this lens and it was bad, so it's not usable. I guess it's a bit like cars these days, you still hear people saying they'll buy one and "run it into the ground" but it's more like death by a thousand cuts rather than a showstopping bang.
I figured out an easier way to sell stuff on ebay overseas - the Global Shipping Programme. Apparently you have to opt in for it - takes some finding in your settings, but then in a listing you just tick a box and enter the weight/select the weight range and it does the rest. When someone overseas buys something, you post it to the GSP centre in the UK with a ref number on the label, they do the rest, so typically £2.80, which is paid by the buyer anyway. It does cost them a bit more than normal post but convenience costs! And you can add alternative services if you can be bothered.
johnnyrod
12-11-16, 09:24 PM
Check this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-FILMS-FOR-MANUAL-CAMERA-/262707445775
Is the Contessa the one you bought from the States? Lost track of the Zeiss cameras you have! I had to take the top off the Konica L to re-glue the viewfinder frame and the meter window. Gave it a good clean and all seems well.
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johnnyrod
12-11-16, 10:17 PM
Hahaaaaaa that was a Contessa, but I'm talking about an LK (donor) and LKE (recipient) which are rigid, similar to the Tenax, Symbolica etc. I bought a Contessamat SBE first, then bought the Contessa LKE as it had a case and was cheaper than buying just a case, found it was just fine but had a duff rear lens, so picked up the LK (non-rangefinder) to swap that out, it was spares and repair anyway. The LK is fine though, meter works etc. so it could be a donor again for other bits. It's the same as the LKE except the E means entfernungsmesser which is Germand for rangefinder (literally far away measuring). I was looking at it the other night, snaps away, slowest speed of 1/15 works fine without sticking, I even have the original receipt for it!
You are a bit like me, I hate breaking a camera if there isn't much wrong. Seems a shame but needs must sometimes.
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I got the second Contina IIa repair jobby through today. I have swapped over the lenses and just need to collimate the usable one. I wanted to investigate why the second one wouldn't co-ck the shutter and having pulled its face off it seems that the wind lever is not connected to the rack which sets the shutter. Can't figure out how to get the top plate off. Its a shame as the meter works, and the general condition is pretty good, but I have swapped out the lenses. Fancy another Zeiss?
I'm bored. Where is everyone?
johnnyrod
16-11-16, 08:30 PM
Wolverhampton, aren't I lucky? Stuck down here with work till Friday. Didn't bring a camera, nothing to point it at!
Sounds like fun! That film you posted up arrived today.
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johnnyrod
16-11-16, 09:01 PM
Ah cool, forgot about that
Got a roll ok Kodacolour, some Tesco and Jessops stuff.
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One from the film I found in the Cresta 3
https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5611/30761830730_f06ba11545_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NSjqxU)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/NSjqxU) by Matt McKenzie (https://www.flickr.com/photos/39887875@N06/), on Flickr
Scored me a Zorki 4k with Jupiter 8 lens, a Jupiter 11 lens and turret viewfinder. All for £20.
johnnyrod
21-11-16, 09:57 PM
Wow, good find! Much else on the film you found?
Snapped a few more on the K2. It's got a plain microprism focus screen, no split circle, but in some ways it's quite nice. My old Zenit had the same, but this one seems better; when you are out of focus it's a lot more obvious. The split circle is good for critical focus but I think I do end up obsessing over it a bit, whereas with this I'm a bit quicker - I thought I'd hate it. I found it a bit too easy to take a picture instead of just turning the meter on, it's less sensitive on my MX. You can flip the wind lever out and press the shutter, but if you've already wound it on then there's a good chance it'll just take a picture. Not really had time to take it anywhere though.
Yeah there were a few typical family shots in the garden but that is about it really. Spotted the Zorki by chance really, just happen to look and it had only been on 21 hours. It was up for £25 but offered £20 and she accepted. Can't complain, its clean and fires well. Saw a similar bundle on eBay and they go for a lot more than that!
johnnyrod
22-11-16, 02:16 PM
Found a big pile of film in Poundland in Wolverhampton so scored a few. Not on the shelves in Sheffield any more but may be just for Christmas as they always had plenty.
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