What camera(s) are you using this weekend?

I keep coming back to Nikon FM which is now my favourite 35mm camera. Today I shot a few frames of Arista 100.

With a bit of luck I might finish a roll of FP4 Plus in a camera that arrived before Christmas, a tidy Fujica ST605n with the 55mm Fujinon f/2.2 lens, famous (or infamous) for it's "bubble bokeh".

 

Fujica ST605n

 

 

I pulled this one out to take a photo for another thread(or rather take a photo of the prism on an F2) but remember that it was loaded and hadn't been used in a while.

 

If I can get over it being bitterly cold tomorrow, I might take it out and finish off the roll of Plus-X in it.

 

I have one of those too, Rick. Last time I used it I had a Mamiya 135mm f2.8 attached. The shutter seemed to have some light fall-off to one side of frame (tapering?) which I'd never had happen before. I wonder can the auto diaphragm mechanism in certain lenses produce drag to cause this effect or is it just a problem that the shutter has developed? I plan to test the camera with its 55mm f2.2 (which is a nice little lens) to see if the effect occurs again.

I'd suspect some sort of shutter drag, Mike, if the problem persists. In the sequence of things the pin is depressed and the aperture stopped down before the shutter begins it's travel. It's a very basic little camera but delightfully light and a joy to handle, and the f/2.2 lens is interesting, to say the least... I look forward to seeing some of your results.

Thanks, Rick. When my family had a camera shop we stocked Fujica cameras and we sold a fair number of this model.

Mike, if you have a CRT screen, you might try removing the lens and firing the shutter against the screen to check for even shutter travel at different speeds. I bought an old Sony Watchman pocket TV in a thrift store for $3 just for this purpose, and it's very handy. Rick Oleson did a good article on this also:

 

You already own a shutter tester

I've never tried that CRT technique but it's worth a try. Then I will run a roll of black & white through it.

Got a Nicca 3-F loaded up with some Foma Retropan 320 Soft. The Nikkor-HC 50 f/2 hasn't arrived for it yet.So I've got a Summarit mounted on it for now.

 

No wild plans for the weekend yet, beyond getting a new set of wheels for the car.

Last day of Christmas vacation for me so I may try to take a few photos today. If my Fujica ST605N passes the CRT test I may take some photos with it over the weekend.

Taking the FED 50 along on some hikes, loaded with Agfa APX 100.

 

I'm planning a road trip from Friday through Monday and will be taking an F2 and an FE, neither of which I've used yet, along with a (gotta say it) D4 that I'm having a ball with. Manual focus glass for all. I bought some more film just yesterday.

 

Rick H.

I seem (for the moment) to have misplaced the ST605N, but when I find it I do intend to test the shutter. Kind of in a rangefinder mood anyway. Probably will run a roll of FP+ through my Konica Auto S2 (or 1.6), Minolta HiMatic 7S, or possibly my Olympus RC 35.

I've made a sort of New Year's resolution to use some of the many cameras that have sat neglected on shelves for a long time, instead of just picking up my favourites and heading on out. I have several of this model Retinette, and I'm ashamed to admit that I've never run a film through any of them. This particular example is a Retinette IB, type 037, and I've fitted it with a little Prazisa rangefinder that I feel suits it quite well. The built-in Gossens exposure meter still seems accurate, and the shutter speeds sound believable. So, if the sub-tropical storm that is currently deluging us lets up, I may have some photographs from the Retinette by the end of the weekend.

Retinette IB

 

It'll be Fuji GW690ii this weekend for me. I've five frames in the roll left to shoot.

Yashica FX-1, with FP4,a recent eBay acquisition. The meter is 2 stops out, but it seems a linear error so I’ll adjust. Wanted one for ages, but they were not sold for long and are consequently difficult to find in good condition. First impressions are that it is pretty well put together with a confidence inspiring solidity that I like. Some of the old light seal had stuck to the exsposed shutter curtain, but it had not apparently been wound on in this condition, so I was able to carefully pick of the offending bits with tweezers. Thanks to the internet for locating the battery chamber - underneath the rewind crank!

A roll of Ilford FP4+ in the Olympus 35RC. Also about half finished with roll of Plus-X in my Pentax ZX-7.

Finishing a roll of 400TX in my Nikon F6 and Zeiss Milvus 50mm F1.4 lens.

Finishing up the roll of FP4+ in the Oly RC35 and running a roll of same kind of film through my Maxxum 9xi to test a 1st gen Maxxum 50mm f1.7 that someone gave me a few years ago. If it works as it should I will give it to my oldest son to use with his HTSI.

The "Twins" this weekend. Straps are adjusted so B/W material is on top, C-41 material on bottom. Aloha, Bill

It's too (chatter chatter) cold to shoot pictures this weekend....

Nikon FM + Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f2 + Tri-X.

The "Twins" this weekend...

 

Nice to see you using my all-time favourite exposure meter, Bill, the Gossen "Sixtino" or "Pilot". I have the Sixtino version complete with original "snake chain" which clips snugly onto my belt, and the little meter slips into my pocket. Accurate, highly visible numerals, incident/reflected readings, one-handed operation and very small... What more could one want in a walkabout meter?

The aperture on the Maxxum 50mm is stuck wide open at f1.7. I confirmed this by running a roll of FP4+ through it.

Might make a "Last Post" tonight if I can fit it in. Tomorrow off to NZ and Hawaii for 5 weeks. Taking Rangefinders only, Nicca IIIf and Canon P with Canon 50 1.8, Jupiter-12 35mm and Jupiter-11 135mm. While away I shall endeavour to check up on R.D. and B.B. to ensure that they continue to amaze us with their artistry.