rick_schuster

<p>I really enjoy carrying one camera/one lens (especially a fixed focal length), because it allows me to focus more on what I'm seeing, and less on my equipment. The limitation can actually be a good thing for me. I don't always do it, but I find that I usually enjoy my time more when I do. Thanks for your post.</p>

<p>If you don't have luck finding any, I've noticed that FPP has manufactured new ones that you can buy. I've not tried them, so I can't attest to the quality: <br> http://filmphotographyproject.com/store/620-1-620-film-spool<br> http://filmphotographyproject.com/store/620-4-620-film-spools</p>

<p>Thanks, Bruce. Good idea to use ND filters to vary the exposure, since the camera gives you no other exposure control. I'm confused though, as to why you recommend a slower film (ISO 50) for indoor and nighttime shooting, and faster film (ISO 400 or 800) for outdoor daylight shooting. Am I missing something?</p>

<p>That's my favorite street shooter, and the one I grab off my shelf most often. I hope it finds a good home with someone who will make use of it. </p>

<p>Wow. Fantastic images, Brad! <br> All great, but I especially love the first Bel Air image, and the second Buick Eight one (the wheel). Great work.</p>

<p>Sorry to see you go. All the best to you!</p>

<p>Beautiful image, but I agree that the out-of-focus front detracts from it. My eye is drawn to the front edge of the cut part, right where it's out of focus. I love the undulating grain down below the cut, but I want to see that smooth part in front in sharp focus. Less back focus would be good.</p>

<p>To see if it's the same problem I have, you could try pushing that cylindrical part (where my first arrow points in the photo above) inward toward the lens while cocking the wind lever. If it is the same as my problems, this may hold the two gears together tightly enough to properly wind the shutter. If that works, at least you may have identified the problem, not that I have a solution for it.</p>

<p>I've not had that problem with my Retina IIIc, but have very similar problems with a couple of older Retina IIa cameras. The problem on those is with the gears to the upper-left of the lens (if you're looking at the front of the camera) not meshing properly. There's a bit of looseness between the gear inside the round stainless steel shaft and the gear that's inside the shutter mechanism. The gears slip so that the outer gear turns properly, but the inner gear doesn't turn enough to cock the shutter. It seems feasible to me that with the cover closed those gears mesh properly because they are held tightly in contact with each other, but with the front extended there's some looseness allowing the gears to slip. Might not be the same problem, but just an idea. <br /> <img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11324487/retina.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Wow, Brad - that first shot is beautiful. I hope you have a nice print of it hanging on a wall. </p>

<p>As others mentioned, National Camera Exchange is alive and well. They celebrated their 100th anniversary with an exhibit of cameras and photos at the Mpls Photo Center. I'm so glad they're still here. The flagship store in Golden Valley is great.</p>

<p>new link to images:<br> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4ln353v8a51ynee/AABGJpwcLkmXNTlK8Yx3c9lXa?dl=0</p>

<p>I had dreams of this a few years ago, then decided it was a silly notion and would likely never be a reality. I think I'm much better off doing 'digital conversion' by just shooting film and getting high quality scans made. It really is the ultimate RAW format -- you have a physical neg that will always be great quality, and new scanning technology can always be applied to get better digital files in the future. Whereas digital photos that I shot years ago on an early DSLR are stuck in their inferior quality forever. <br> And if you really want the convenience of shooting digital, then the other comments about adapting the lenses to a new digital camera are a much better idea than trying to convert an old camera to digital. That Konica conversion that guy did is pretty amazing though!</p>

<p>The key word in your question is "asking". People might be asking $100 to $250 for them, but it doesn't look like they're selling for that. Click the Advanced search button and only look at Completed Listings. It looks like the ones that have actually sold (the ones with prices in green) are mostly in the $15 to $60 range, though I do see one that sold recently for over $100. The price that some people ask for cameras (the 'buy it now' ones) is ridiculous. They must get a taker now and then. They seem to just keep listing them over and over again hoping someone will bite. A few years ago I was curious what my Kodak Duo 620 was worth, and I saw a ridiculously high-priced "buy-it-now" one, so I put it in my watch list to see if it would ever sell. It's been re-listed over and over for years and is still for sale, though they've reduced the price a little. </p>

<p>I can't imagine a better 35mm folder than my Retina IIIc (though I haven't used a lot of others, so take that with a grain of salt) -- it's a joy to use, and the lens is fantastic. Any of the Retina folders with a rangefinder should be great users though -- which means any of the II or III models, I believe. If you don't care about having a light meter on it, which may or may not work anyway (the meter on mine happens to work and I use it), then maybe go for a II model and save some money. I have a couple of Retina IIa folders that I've been doing a little work on, and the biggest difference I see is the solidity of the whole lens/shutter mechanism on the IIIc compared to the IIa. On my IIIc the lens is rock solid and steady, but the IIa has a bit more flimsy build in the slide-out lens mechanism. It might be that these particular copies of the IIa are more worn out than usual, but the build of it makes me think this might be typical.</p> <p>I also have a Zeiss Ikon Contessa, which I absolutely love the look of but don't find it as easy to use as the Retina. It spends more time on the display shelf while the Retina IIIc might be out being used. </p> <p>p.s. - I'm sure some would disagree, but I wouldn't pay the extra premium for the 'big-C' Retina IIIC model. </p>