View Full Version : Vintage film cameras
Just going to ignore B. Without a cable release it would just blur the shot. Surprised that they even included bulb on these old cameras. Wow, braver than me for stripping stuff down! I may have another go at the Akarette.
Managed to adjust the shutter cocking arm on the Akatette and it seems to work now.
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johnnyrod
23-10-15, 01:49 PM
Cool!
I want to have a go with the 50mm f1.2 Pentax lens I got back from being fixed but was going to use my K2, but the shutter speeds are all over the place, think it's dodgy connections as it's electronically controlled even in manual mode. With a flat battery it will work on 125 and B but needs power for the other speeds.
Just have to buy another camera won't you? I've got a spare Pentax MV1 here. No rewind crank though.
johnnyrod
23-10-15, 07:54 PM
I've glued the battery holder back onto the bottom of my Pentax MX, am borrowing some conductive paint from work next week to make the connection to the baseplate, and replaced the mirror bumper foam. I also have a Program A upstairs which is good to go, can use it manual or (with this lens) aperture priority.
Don't tempt me though. On Gumtree in Blandford Forum someone has a great looking FED4 for £12.50 (if it isn't a typo) with lenses, filters etc., plus I'm too much of a sucker for cheap stuff on ebay. I've put a film in the Contessamat; it's been such a job to do and I've waited for over a year to get to it so am actually quite excited about it. There is space in the stable for a Contax RTS or a Mamiya NC1000 though...
Going to have a total up, pushing past 30 I think!
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johnnyrod
23-10-15, 10:09 PM
Strewth. I can just imagine you giving a Japanese tourist a run for their money by rocking up with a wall of box cameras on a massive neck strap and some sort of 24-way cable release. Maybe even an old skool flash bulb reflector on your head like some sort of demented Teletubby.
johnnyrod
23-10-15, 10:44 PM
Comet
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CMF-BENCINI-COMET-S-CMF-CAMERA-MADE-IN-ITALY-/401012305933
£4 plus P&P (currently) ends just after 2pm Saturday
Sir Trev
25-10-15, 04:29 PM
Thought of you guys yesterday. Was in an amazing antique/junk shop called Snoopers Paradise in the very Bohemian North Laine area of Brighton and they had cases and cases of stuff like this (excuse the crummy mobile phone shots but the place was packed and I was being barged constantly). Being a tourist trap though the prices were not exactly car boot sale...
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc413/Sir_Trev/20151024_135740a_zpszofwo2el.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/Sir_Trev/media/20151024_135740a_zpszofwo2el.jpg.html)
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc413/Sir_Trev/20151024_135824_zps2vwbfmzi.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/Sir_Trev/media/20151024_135824_zps2vwbfmzi.jpg.html)
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc413/Sir_Trev/20151024_135831_zpsisnoo2g8.jpg (http://s1210.photobucket.com/user/Sir_Trev/media/20151024_135831_zpsisnoo2g8.jpg.html)
Sweet, may have to make a trip! Just had a total up and I think I'm at around 42.
johnnyrod
25-10-15, 08:04 PM
Ha, Cool!
I have an old Disc Camera and a Kodak 110 flip somewhere. Maria has a Diana F Lomo Kit and some old out of date film. One day we'll do some shots with it
Wow, disc cameras. No chance of them being used again. 110 is as expensive as 127 film so mine don't get used much. Get some film for the Lomo and get shooting! Just had a Fujica GER arrive. It's a tiny 35mm rangefinder. Makes the Zorki 10 seem even more massive!
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The Zenit seemed to have an issue with winding on. Given its value it wasn't worth repairing. The Helios 44M is a keeper. Just bought a Pentax to M42 adapter to mount to the MV1. Also managed to get a spare on10 rewind crank to fit the MV1.
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johnnyrod
31-10-15, 11:16 PM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bencini-Comet-S-Camera-/121798969873
Comet, 99p plus postage or a ride up to Notts, no bids yet, ends just before 10am Sunday though! I often trawl the last-minute ads - looks like someone is going to get an Olympus XA for 6p. This is probably the reason I have too many cameras - but not as much as you Kenzie.
Well I do have an XA3 on the way to replace my slightly not working and scratched lens XA2. Will probably strip it for spares. I used some screws from the Zenit to replace some odd ones I fitted to the Akarette, looks normal now. Would also like to replace my Pentax Auto 110 at some point as it won't wind on properly. Would love the Comet but 127 is £7.99 a roll at the mo. I will wait to see if he has any offers on. Might strip and clean the other Ensign Ful Vue I picked up the other day.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151861637184?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
johnnyrod
01-11-15, 09:28 PM
Maybe it's Baader-Meinhof but I see lots of 110 Auto sets on Gumtree. I've only ever seen one in the flesh, at a wedding many years ago, I couldn't figure out what looked like an SLR but was way too small.
johnnyrod
09-11-15, 01:32 PM
I'm still half way through the first roll I've put in my Zeiss Contessamat since fixing it, but on Friday I got my prints back from the Contessa LKE, and also Ikonta. The latter was using Portra 400ISO, and I think I need to let it overexpose a bit (I was allowing for the slow shutter speed - shouldn't have bothered), but all colours were bright and nice contrast. That and I need to check the field of view, I think it's a good bit more than you see in the finder. In hindsight 400ISO was a bit daft for a camera with slow shutter speeds (up to 1/300 but this is really running at more like 1/160) and a slow lens (f3.5 I think) and it's a pig to try to get a filter to fit, but I might just have a to get a big ND one of 2 stops and hold it in front or something.
The Contessa is 35mm, and was all working except the rear lens element was hazy and it was really ruining the pictures. I swapped it for another and the sharpness now is up there with an SLR, though maybe you can't tell because my scanner just isn't very good - the prints look great.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/658/22235856773_c5107929fa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zSUzwV)Autumn (https://flic.kr/p/zSUzwV) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5713/22868167981_79c2bcf002_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AQMkCi)Duck race (https://flic.kr/p/AQMkCi) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
Sir Trev
09-11-15, 04:06 PM
Love those ducks. Nice images and as you say, pretty sharp.
Nice shots Johnny! So my recent additions include an XA3 to replace my temperamental, lightleaking and scratched lens XA2, an Agfa Optima Sensor and a replacement for my Auto 110 that won't wind properly. I bought an adapter to mount the Helios 44m onto the MV1 or P30T but it won't focus to infinity. I think the adapter has shifted the focal distance a bit. I also picked up a bunch of Agfa film from Poundland to feed the hungry 35mm clan. Willing to send out the XA2 to anyone who likes to tinker with electronics and who might be able to sort the lens marks out. Also considering reskinning one of the Trip 35s with this:
http://skinslove.com/product_info.php/products_id/2326
Thoughts?
The Agfa is this weird looking thing if you are interested:
http://photo-analogue.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/agfa-optima-sensor.html
johnnyrod
10-11-15, 02:58 PM
The Helios 44M is supposed to be a great lens, copy of a Zeiss design. I read a few things about problems adapting to Pentax mounts but it depends on a few things i.e. give it a go. So does it stop short of infinity? Far enough that the DoF won't take care of it? It would be that the adapter puts it too far from the camera body - have a Google about it. You might need a different adapter, or to modify the one you have.
People will see you coming!
Agfa is interesting, but from my efforts at zone focusing a rangefinder for situations when I won't have time to properly focus, I'm basically crap at it.
I've got a load of study to do for the next 5-6 months so I need to stop buying stuff (unless an unmissable bargain comes along of course...) and maybe just use some of what I've got. I'm getting a spare split image focus screen for collimating lenses, pulling the one out of my MX SLR all the time won't help. I'm going to collimate the lens in a Vitomatic II I've almost never used, and have a bit of a go at a Pentax K2 before trying it out, but will save the bigger jobs for next year. Oh and check the focus on my Ikonta which is a bit long... all quick jobs but then I've got loads that work and only a few left that don't. So on Friday I'm picking the old boot (mother) up from the station, am going to raid Poundland to feed the obsession as well!
Thanks for the heads up. Apparently some Helios lenses are ok with Pentax bodies, others like mine are not. Works fine on the AE1 Program. Awesome bokeh though.
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I was a bit iffy with zone focus as well but you soon get used to it. Once you do it will open up loads of cameras to you. Most won't focus below 1m anyway so as long as you aren't hoping for close ups you should be fine.
johnnyrod
13-11-15, 08:13 PM
Kenzie check this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Selection-of-Vintage-cameras-Including-Olympus-/301794490139
End just before noon Saturday, 2x110 films and a load of 35mm ones plus a bunch of cheap camera gear. You might be interested just for the film! In fact if the XA2 works you could probably sell it and break even.
Missed out on this. Couldn't get a signal while out.
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Just ordered some 400iso Agfa Vista to take to Germany. Want to use one of the Trip 35s in low light.
johnnyrod
19-11-15, 09:48 AM
I saw some pics on the Pentax forum using Rollei RPX 25 (ISO25) B&W. Looked great but 25 is only really any good for buildings! Might stick to HP4+, but should try Fomapan as it's cheeeeeeeeeeep. The guy who sold me the Ikonta (Jasper Fforde) said it can be a bit grainy but in a good way.
Got some APX100 waiting to be home developed, as well as some 120 B&W. I do have some HP5+ Also, Ilford do C41 black and white film, available in Boots I think. Asda have upped their develop only price to £2.50. Got seven rolls in to pick up tomorrow. Threats of snow this weekend, could make some good B&W shots.
A few from my Super Frankarette
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/Untitled-Scanned-08_zpsnbgycat3.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/Untitled-Scanned-08_zpsnbgycat3.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/Untitled-Scanned-04_zpsrzfl0b00.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/Untitled-Scanned-04_zpsrzfl0b00.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/Untitled-Scanned-06_zpsyyleaxk4.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/Untitled-Scanned-06_zpsyyleaxk4.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/Untitled-Scanned-05_zpszurh9nb1.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/Untitled-Scanned-05_zpszurh9nb1.jpg.html)
My newest purchase. An AGFA Solinette 2. £10 from Gumtree.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/22/f6855086ef4bcee84b2043c476352147.jpg
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Does anyone want an OM10 body? No lens. Bought it to strip but sorted the one I use. Couple of dinks in it but seems to work. Will obviously need a lens. PM me your address if you do. Free!
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Pentax to M42 adapter allows me to mount my Helios 44M to a Pentax MV that I picked up.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/P1010881_zpsl26bu3zx.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/P1010881_zpsl26bu3zx.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/P1010882_zpsub92hnvy.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/P1010882_zpsub92hnvy.jpg.html)
Also bought this to make dismantling cameras easier
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/P1010879_zpsclgxkv8y.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/P1010879_zpsclgxkv8y.jpg.html)
johnnyrod
30-11-15, 10:07 AM
I've got something similar and some new JIS screwdrivers coming from Father Christmas
Can't tempt anyone with a free OM10 body then?
johnnyrod
02-12-15, 10:15 AM
Thought about it, got no lenses though. Ta anyway.
I was having a rummage through the box of odds and ends at London Camera Exchange in Lincoln yesterday. Most of it needs to go in the skip! A knackered AE1 there though if anyone needs spares. Boatloads of film in Poundland too! My fridge is now full. Got a pic or two left on my Contessamat (this is the test since I put it back together), nearly all of them are of my daughter, but will be good to see how they turn out. Then next I wan tot try out the f1.2 SLR lens I got back a while ago.
I wanted to buy a Nikon 35mm f1.8 lens from LCE. It was put aside for someone but they said they would call. Didn't hear so chased them. It had sold. Asked why they didn't call to let me know but their reply was that I was on a big list of people they didn't bother calling. Poor attitude. Will take my business elsewhere. On another note, new toy! Lomo fisheye.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/02/ba627d27765082a39008c2586de40065.jpg
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Bought some more 127 film to load in the VP Twin. Loaded it inside a changing bag this time as I ruined a film last time when it unspooled. Special occasion film as its £7.99 a roll. Hoping they will come up with some colour 127 film. Also picked up some Lomography 35mm 400iso film from Boots. Thought it worth a go. Got huge stocks of Poundland film.
Just bought this Kodak Vecta and found a roll of Kodak Verichrome inside. Will process it when I do my other black and white films over Chrimbo.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/09/5471b68c1fdcc62f3a7174c7914b88ef.jpg
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I may or may not have found a camera shop by Köln cathedral selling this Agfa Pocket 3000 110 and this 1950s Bilora Bella 127 camera. They had this weird Leica for €27 but didn't pick it up.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/13/801bfa7b84774097d2e68223188e404b.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/13/8b8ac93a78190d268136c900678b70be.jpg
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I think the Leica is a Fed 4 with a Leica badge on it.
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johnnyrod
15-12-15, 08:11 PM
Are you home yet? Looks like your baggage is going to weight a bit more!
I finally finished the test roll in my Contessamat and had it done at Asda today. It is all working fine, need to scan a couple to show you. Focus is almost exact, I seem to have set both this and my Contessa to about 1.45m instead of 1.50m when doing it, I think the focus screen I'm using must catch the light everso slightly behind the front surface. Unless you're shooting wide open (which is f/2.8 ) at very close range though you can't tell, and if you were you wouldn't expect much to be sharp because of the shallow DoF. Anyhoo am pretty pleased as fixing it was a bit of a job.
Anyway the other bit of info is that I'm really surprised how poor the pictures are from Asda compared to Peak imaging. You'll see when I post them, but the colours are much richer, and the prints are noticeably sharper, really surprising how good Poundland film looked. I've had another roll recently done at Asda and it was equally disappointing. Asda is a fiver for 24 exposures done in an hour (I think it's £4 for overnight) whereas Peak are nearly £7 plus £3.25 P&P (flat charge for all orders) so not good value to do them one at a time, but you certainly get what you pay for.
Yeah got back yesterday. Got a joblot of four cameras through. A sad looking Fed 4, Kodak Retinette 1b, Agfa and another. Light meter on the Fed is dead so I removed the needle gear after a wire broke, also had to glue the rangefinder mirror back in place as well as the outer meter cover and glass. The Kodak has a jammed shutter, the Agfa is missing the front panel and the other has a loose front. Not bad for £9. I haven't tried anywhere else due to cost. If it's black and white then I'll do it myself. Found a roll of film in the Agfa. Will process it as black and white when I do my next batch of film. Got more cameras than I can shoot at the moment. Be good to see your shots.
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johnnyrod
18-12-15, 09:52 AM
Pics from the Contessamat:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/680/23731216171_2e5e89ce92_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Ca3FMv)Kelpie - never mind the water, I see humans to eat! (https://flic.kr/p/Ca3FMv) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
The person is a bit dark so shodl have exposed by another stop, though the Asda processing is so bright it might have washed out the highlights.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5701/23813673605_e659e91d17_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Chkivp)Ana bike (https://flic.kr/p/Chkivp) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
Bit wonky and some motion blur but check out the bricks! Previous pics were "unsharp" as they seem to say in the photographic world - the focal distance was right, but it looked as though it wasn't, a sort of permanent bokeh:
http://www.johnnyrod.co.uk/ikon2.jpg
In terms of Asda processing, compare these to the last ones I posted, which used the same film and a camera with the same lens, but done by Peak Imaging instead.
Are you going to fix all those? I have an Ikonta 35 which is currently an ornament that is unusable due it its stickiness - the shutter blades barely close again - but it's so small I fancy giving it a try. I meant to get the one with the rangefinder (Contina II) and/or a folding Contessa 35 but got mixed up. Also a Contessa LBE which is a cross between the Contessa LKE (match needle metering) and the Contessamat SBE (in that it has the gubbins for automatic aperture setting for flash). It's almost unusable but very sticky, I bought it because I'd never seen one before. I need to give it a look though, I think the rangefinder patch is maybe too dim. I also have a Contessa LK which is a scale-focus one, bought it for spares, but now I have a bit more experience cleaning lenses it may be quite usable after all. I too have too many! I'm enjoying the fixing of them but there are more pressing things to do for a while yet.
The agfa won't be fixed,might clean it to use as is just for the hell of it. Going to dismantle to Kodak and free off the shutter.will need to unsolder the flash sync wire. Something to do over the crimbo break.
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Found the problem with the Kodak.will post up a shot in a bit.
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Spot the problem
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/18/0999d2778fc0fe3355d9f982d3740585.jpg
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johnnyrod
21-12-15, 09:46 AM
Aha, detached escapement spring
Yeah, caused the shutter to jam and the camera to be written off. Sorted that issue but cant stop the front ring from spinning. Dont want to do it up too tight asbthe retaining ring is alloy. Will post a shot up later.
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johnnyrod
21-12-15, 03:12 PM
Not sure what you mean. If it's one of those flowery/castellated really thin screw rings then on my cameras these are done up unbelievably tight!
Anyway you've been bad again and made me look at ebay so I just bought something else. Konica S, apparently working except for the aperture blades, whatever that means. Selenium meter, which is said to work (match needle on the top plate) and 48mm f1.8 Hexanon lens which is said to be very good indeed. £8 plus postage. I am however thinking I should clean up a couple of the others and sell them to someone who'll use them instead.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/21/508927c1361cd8e4033a53972deff279.jpg
The thing with the three arrows isnt supposed to move I think.
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Anyway you've been bad again and made me look at ebay so I just bought something else.
Pretty sure I don't know what you mean! :rolleyes:
Emailed a chap called Chris who does Kodak repairs and the same pin the held the spring also stops the front plate from spinning. Camera is still usable though, just need to set the focus.
johnnyrod
22-12-15, 10:11 AM
I can see the hole now where the pin went. Strange design, that's Kodak I guess
Over engineered German camera! Chris has offered to replace the shutter plate. Just waiting to see how much it would cost.
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johnnyrod
22-12-15, 12:46 PM
Sounds like you just need to take it out and fit a pin to it. Is the pin normally fixed to the plate or loose, sitting in a hole? On my Contessamat (Prontor shutter) the spring hooked onto the end of the self timer chassis itself (got my bits mixed up earlier). The hook wasn't very prominent, here on the left:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/625/22393695155_bda4f8e4e6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/A7Rxok)Shutter in bits (https://flic.kr/p/A7Rxok) by John Rodriguez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeguruuk/), on Flickr
Some cameras use the self-timer for the flash pre-ignition (for M or FP settings) but otherwise you could do without it and fix the spinning plate another way.
Hooking the spring onto the self timer mech isn't the problem. The post at the other end has snapped so I have nothing to hook it on to at the other end. The post also acts to stop the front plate spinning. On a separate note, the new skin for the spare Trip 35 arrived today. Something else to do over the break.
New skin for the Trip
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/22/3bf0975b76480009591972e98eb4df19.jpg
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Hey Johnny, what Zeiss cameras did you say you have?
Reskinned it
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/22/f533d32447ecc5bf2c3441feafacbfe4.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/22/c5d2c16279fface631808e068c0632b3.jpg
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johnnyrod
22-12-15, 10:06 PM
I understood about the pin, maybe it's harder to fit a new one than it looks.
I've got... deep breath...
120s: Ikonta M and a Nettar, both 6x6 and with Novar f3.5 lenses, the latter is an ornament having donated its case, but is working and just needs the once-over. They're slow to use if you don't have an eye for exposure an range (me) but the pictures are just fine; the Tessar may be a better lens but the Novar is a very close second.
35mm scale-focus: Contessa LK (Tessar f2.8) non-folding, all fine but rear lens element is hazy, am going to try cleaning it again. Also Ikonta 35 folder, too sticky to use but also looks nice on a shelf!
35mm rangefinders: Contessa LKE and LBE, Contessamat SBE, all with Tessar f2.8 lenses. The last two have an extra linkage so you can dial in the GN of a flash and it sets the aperture according to the range - no use for bounce though! The LBE needs overhaul and the rangefinder patch is a bit dim - the LK might be able to donate here as the viewfinder has most of the same bits.
All have selenium meters which are working. The Contessas are match needle (centre the needle type by adjusting the settings, properly called coupled meters I think), the Contessamat can work in manual or shutter-priority. I guess it's handy for grabbing a shot without taking time to set up, but the Contessas show the needle in the viewfinder, as well as a Judas window so you can read the settings from the viewfinder, so they're not too slow to set, and you don't have to take it off your face to check anything.
They're all well made and seem to be standing up to time well. There were a few simpler ones like the Colora or Symbolica which I think could also be had with Tessar lenses - avoid the Pantar ones, they're really a let-down. Some Contina models around too which are scale focus but had various interesting features as well.
johnnyrod
22-12-15, 10:09 PM
PS Shiny!
Essex of Essex
23-12-15, 09:27 PM
I think it's time to buy some 120 and dig my Mamiya TLR out for some fun.
Do it and get some shots up! Looking forward to developing my b&w film.
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johnnyrod
23-12-15, 10:17 PM
Nice! I've been pumping 7dayshop for it (as a 5-pack) but some on Amazon as well at a decent price for single rolls.
I know I keep bringing them up but Retro photo supplies offer a good range of film
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Developed the Verichrome this afternoon. Got a full roll of pics. Just waiting for it to dry and I will scan it.
My afternoon
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/P1010991_zps8hguowr8.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/P1010991_zps8hguowr8.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/P1010992_zpsckyqtmyt.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/P1010992_zpsckyqtmyt.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/P1010989_zpsn5s2zzus.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/P1010989_zpsn5s2zzus.jpg.html)
Photos can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskqGyLGV
The first three are from the Ensign. The last lot are from the Vecta.
My wife bought me a Lomo Diana F+ kit. Got loads of lenses, can take 120 or 35mm film and do sprocket photography. Lots of extras. Well chuffed.
Got three rolls developed this afternoon. They are drying out hanging from the shower rail. Might get some photo flo to help with drying and reducing water marks. Got to pick up the 35mm and 110 I dropped off at Asda on Tuesday. Plenty of scanning to do. At least I can scan the 110 on the mini scanner while the Canoscan does its thing.
Also got a Kodak Brownie Starmite, 620 Junior and a Fujica Auto M rangefinder on the way from ebay. £7.50 plus postage. Looking forward to seeing what randomness the Diana throws up. The negs from the Ensign Ful Vue are pretty sharp. Debating whether to keep it or not. Most likely will!
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Uploaded some shots from the tweaked Pentax Auto 110.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/2015-12-31_24_zpsfrnw7uwy.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/2015-12-31_24_zpsfrnw7uwy.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/2015-12-31_22_zpsgrdbze0h.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/2015-12-31_22_zpsgrdbze0h.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/2015-12-31_18_zpsmsfmeqgg.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/2015-12-31_18_zpsmsfmeqgg.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/2015-12-31_16_zpshghiabwt.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/2015-12-31_16_zpshghiabwt.jpg.html)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/kenzie2k3/2015-12-31_5_zpstxqsg8qp.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/kenzie2k3/media/2015-12-31_5_zpstxqsg8qp.jpg.html)
johnnyrod
06-01-16, 09:48 AM
Sorry hadn't seen these till now. I find those huge cranes fascinating.
Looks like my luck has run out, at least for now. I bought a Konica S with an aperture problem, turned out to be two broken blades. I need to put it back together before I forget what goes where, so at least it works when fully open. It has a Copal SV shutter which I'm finding aren't nearly as good as Prontor although for its age it's much less sticky. It's a complete pig to work on too, the rings come off easily but after that it's a mare. There are other cameras with a similar shutter so will either put this in the drawer and look for a busted Canonet etc. or sell it on for parts. They seem quite uncommon though so am more tempted by fixing it, though won't be easy to find the right bits. The lens in a unit-focus Hexanon which is said to be excellent, and what caught my eye in the first place.
Hope you can get it working again. I had my little job lot arrive today. The Starmite is tiny and actually pretty cool. Looked very clean as well. Gave it a wipe over and it was disgusting! In the lot was a Fujica Auto M rangefinder but the shutter ***** but doesn't fire. I am in the process of stripping it down but I left my screwdriver set at work and I don't have anything fine enough to open it up. I take photos of everything as it is removed so I don't have to worry about remembering where everything went. Seeing as it doesn't fire at the moment there isn't any harm in pulling it apart. Once it is back together (if it works) I will just need to reset the focus. I may have a duff Kodak Retinette which has a Prontor LK shutter. Would the blades be the same do you think? I have a Canonet and it is a great camera. Uses discontinued (banned) mercury battery but you can get Wein cells for them. Haven't run a colour film through it yet though.
johnnyrod
06-01-16, 10:48 PM
The starmite is a funny thing. You really need a source of 127 film!
Nope the Prontor blades will be different, but thanks for the thought. I've also taken a boatload of pictures of the Konica but it won't help to leave it too long. I revisited my Voigtlander Vitomatic II (that one also looked like Alien was the last owner, ugh) as last time I checked, it seemed to be focusing really short, but after some random fiddling and still being none the wiser how to either collimate the lens or adjust the rangefinder, it all seems fine now. Not seen a good film from it yet (it had an old knackered one in it when I got it and not tried again yet) but lending it to a friend who is a photographer to have a play with, will be interesting to see the results. It has a Skopar f2.8 lens which is another one that gets good press.
Put my last roll of Superia 400 in my Pentax MX, put on the f1.2 50mm lens and am going to use it. Will report back in 6 months when I have finally shot 30+ pictures of my daughter. That's the most likely outcome!
I think you can use more modern cells instead of the PXs or their replacements. It's worth trying it and comparing to a light meter, will probably be a couple of stops off then just set the ISO accordingly to balance that out, or even see if you can adjust the meter, but many of them you can't.
I do have a roll of B&W 127 Rerapan kicking around but I have three cameras waiting for it. The Kodak Vecta, Bilora Bella and now the Starmite. I bought it because it looked really quirky. I am going to see if I can get some 35mm film through one of them as I really want to see what they produce colour-wise. 127 colour film is non-existent in the UK unless you buy expired. I am trying to spool some 35mm onto 127 backing paper but I haven't quite got the hang of it yet. I could always load it onto a 127 spool and guess how many turns it would need.
Hey, check this on ebay 351622081306
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johnnyrod
07-01-16, 02:31 PM
Nice one ta
Took the front mechanism cover off the auto M. Wish I hadn't. Something clockwork inside has unwound and I think I have killed it. Didn't even need to take it over. Some lighter fluid on the blade and it freed up. Grrr.
The surprisingly complicated inners
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160107/40acb0996baa259cef8ef2f909074392.jpg
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johnnyrod
07-01-16, 08:43 PM
Blades still look pretty oily. I guess try operating it and watching for what happens, or doesn't.
Problem is that the shutter speed and aperture settings no longer work.
The claw like lever at the 11 o'clock position is the shutter speed lever. The needs to touch the adjust ring on the face plate. So I've figured that much. Now need to work out the aperture adjustment and figure out where the spacer off the small cog in the 8 o'clock position went.
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Need to 'fess up to dumb moment of the day. Took my AGFA Optima for a walk and shoot, spent a couple of hours out and shot a roll of film. Came to unload it and found it empty.
Johnny, did you say you sent one of your cameras off for repair? I have put my Fujica GER back together and checked the focus and will run a test film through but it may need setting properly.
johnnyrod
09-01-16, 08:29 PM
HAHAHHHAHHAHHHAAAAAA like I've never done anything like that...
Hard to say about the Auto M without it in front of me alas.
I had a Pentax SLR lens fixed by Harrow Technical. There are other repairs people around but I don't really know to be honest. There are only so many things to check really - shutter speed, for which you can make an electronic gizmo for next to nothing, aperture, which you can measure yourself e.g. for a 50mm lens at f4 50/4=12.5mm and +/-20% or so but I've not found this to be wrong yet. Lens focus, and rangefinder setting if it has one. I guess the auto settings but it depends on the camera as to what there is to look for - aperture- or shutter-priority. The ones I've worked on all have shutters slower than the speeds on the dial but they're from the 1950s and 60s so the springs aren't so springy and the leaves get oily etc. They're all close enough to use though.
PS have actually looked up the GER and it's not going to be easy, better get your thinking cap on!
http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00aze6
Def worth a try first as it could all be fine
I held a focus screen from a spare om10 over the film plane and had it at infinity as well as the shortest focal length and it looked ok. Won't know until I shoot a roll. Dumbest thing I've ever done and its never happened before!
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johnnyrod
09-01-16, 10:45 PM
Sounds good enough for a try. I don't know if you can do manual focus but I set up a focus test at 1.5m with five objects at 1.40-1.50m and took a pic wide open (so minimum DoF and actually close enough to see clearly) as a final test.
We've had a Polaroid One in the drawer for years. I've been flogging various things on ebay, seems they go for about £20+. God knows why but I put it up there, is on £12 with a few bids and finishes tomorrow, will see what happens. I'd presumed it was dodo food.
I found the missing section of rangefinder mirror for the Yashica Lynx. Just sticking it back together. Now I know how to remove the rewind lever I have managed to get the whole top plate off. Just hoping I can figure of where it sits.
Edit. Managed to glue it back together and it is the mirror that lights up the framing marks in the viewfinder. Everything is drying now and will slap it back together tonight.
Edit again
All back together but the shutter sticks at anything less than 250s.
I had another Kodak Retinette 1b arrive with the view of using it to repair the other. However when I took the front off I found that the mechanism was just stuck and I managed to free it off. Not sure what I will do with the old one. Bought a Fujica GA to possibly steal the lens for the GER if I can't get it to work.
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johnnyrod
14-01-16, 08:43 PM
Blimey!
The Polaroid went for £24 in the end, unbelievable! Had no luck with fixing the Konica S, I can't turn up a couple of aperture leaves for anything. It only seems to share them with some varieties of Yashica Lynx and itself. Where do you get all these old cameras from?
I also started looking at a Japanese auction site. OMG it's almost like pron.
Well you can't have my Yashica Lynx 1000! Might disassemble the 1b for the sake of spare screws etc. Will see what the blades look like. Mostly get the camera from eBay but Carrboro sales or charity shops. Search for "old camera" on eBay as people who don't know what they are selling don't put a name on the auction. Also people at carboots often don't know what they are selling and I´be had some serious bargains.
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Check this 281856162056 on eBay
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johnnyrod
14-01-16, 10:17 PM
Thanks, I found it too and nearly defecated with joy, but zoom in on the view of the lens from inside the camera - straight-edged leaves, same as a Canonet. Your Retinette presumably has a German shutter of some sort rather than Copal?
Yeah, it was a Prontor -LK so no good for what you want. Guess you may need to keep looking for another. I have been hunting but not seen one. The same seller has a Yashica J for sale as well.
If you are looking at the pic with the film door open then what you can see is the aperture not the shutter blades.
johnnyrod
15-01-16, 09:37 AM
Yes - it's the aperture blades I need.
Just ignore me! Really fancy a Polaroid.
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johnnyrod
15-01-16, 08:29 PM
I see the words but i don't understand them
I thought you wanted shutter blades. Check this on ebay 301844444407
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Does this help
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Copal-SV
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Well so far I haven't been able to get the Fujica GA to fire so I have swapped out the lens into the fungus infested GEr and will keep the GA as spares to feed the GEr. Shame really, nice cameras. Have a film loaded so will see if I got the focus right! Any joy on your Konica S?
I also attempted to spool 35mm onto a 127 reel with the backing paper but it went a bit on the squiff. Will serve as a test though.
Edit
Just read that the Fujica has an electromagnetic shutter. Maybe that's why it wouldn't fire. Will reassemble at some point and test.
johnnyrod
16-01-16, 08:26 PM
The one you posted has an f2.8 lens, mine is f1.8 so as far as I know (no flamin' info out there) I need another f1.8-ish shutter. Easy, eh?
The electromagnet holds the shutter open, will it not fire at a fixed speed with no battery? A Yashica Elestro 35 will for example. You can usually get the fungus of with a mixture of ammonia and peroxide, I have these if you wanted to send either the camera/lens or just the glass elements.
Snowing now i.e. camera weather!
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