john_flinn

I like the Topcon Super Dm as it has mirror lockup. However it is hard to find one under $200. Be sure to ask if the light meter functions before buying one as there is a good possibility that the photo cells may be dead (just like with the old Nikon FTns) Many of the Topcor lenses were tested by Modern Photography and had 80 lines/mm resolution, such as the 35mm, 100mm and the 135mm lenses. RE Auto Topcor lenses - Dyxum. Topcor lenses can be used on Exaka cameras if you replace the lens release lever with a flat one or grind down the knob to about 1mm so it can clear the bottom of the lens.

The inner black plastic threaded ring on the front of the lens is to hold Series V filters. An even better option is to unscrew this black ring and buy a series V filter and hood. The series V filter will be held in when the series V hood is screwed onto the threads vacated by the black plastic ring. ie when you unscrew the black plastic ring in front of the lens you expose these nice series V threads that can except a Series V hood and filter. No push on adapter needed. The newer 101mm F 4.5mm Ektar that fits on the 2x3 Crown Graphic is the same way. It accept series V hoods that can screw in to it instead of a push on setup. John Flinn Portland OR

<p>I collect and use vintage cameras from 1900 to 1990 and have had exceptional service with Advance Camera in Beaverton for repairing all sorts of shutters and lenses such as Unicum, Compur, Seiko shutters and Rodenstock Eurynar, Mamiya Press and Zeiss lenses. This has allowed me to use cameras such as the Pony Premo 6, Voigtlander Bergheil and Mamiya Super 23 in the field and even weddings instead of collecting dust as antiques. Now with film cameras gaining in popularity it is nice to have a place that is equally experienced in repairing film and digital cameras.</p> <p>John Flinn</p>

<p>Here is a nifty trick I use on my 9x12 Bergheil with a #1 Compur flange. For additional lenses that use the Compur 0/Copal 0 size I just replace the Compur 1 shutter with a Compur 1 to Compur 0 adapter (SK Grimes) then I can screw in an assortment of different lenses to this adapter as long as they are of the Compur 0 size. With an additional Compur 0 to Compur 00 adapter you could screw in the tiny 65mm Schneider Angulon which uses the Compur 00 shutter. For additional Compur 1 shutter/lens assemblies I have had a batch of Bergheil bayonets made using Cad/Cam technology on stainless steel sheets. The lenses I can now use interchangably with my Bergheil 9x12 are the 203mm Ektar in Compur , the 135mm Heliar, and the 90mm and the 65mm Schneider Angulons. With the 65 mm Angulon you have to shift the lens up in front or you will catch part of the front foldout in the picture. Some of the older 150 Heliars are mounted in a Compur 2 shutter which would be too large for a 6x9 Bergheil.<br> Best-<br> John Flinn</p>

<p>Provia 400X is even better than Provia 400F in color saturation and finer grain when pushed 1 to 2 stops. I use it for northern lights photography and it allows me to stop down my fast lenses a bit so the stars in the edges of the frame are not distorted and lets me keep the exposure less than 15 seconds. It is really a sad thing to see it suffer the same fate as another astrophotography classic - Kodachrome 200 slide film. Fortunately it is still in stock at some of the larger photo supply stores. </p> <p>John Flinn</p>