What camera(s) are you using this weekend?

Mike Gammill said :

That XD-7 still looks new, Rick.

 

Yes, I was lucky to find such a tidy copy. I have a chrome version in similiarly nice condition, but it has a shutter issue that I'm still trying to get to grips with. That's a fine-looking XE-7, and I agree with you regarding the f/1.4 lenses... Both versions seem excellent, to me.

Olympus XA2 loaded with AGFA Portrait 160

First roll in a Graflex R.B. Series B in 2x3 I picked up last month from a seller in France.

Using a Graflex 23 roll film adapter

 

 

This thing is huge! Even compared to the Auto Graflex JR.

More than enough camera for a 2x3! :D

In addition to manual focus film cameras (Minolta XE-5 and Minolta HiMatic 7S) I'm running some film through this beast:

The neat little 35-70 almost looks lost on the 8000i. Besides the 35-70, I will use another first generation Maxxum lens- the 100-200 f 4.5. Film is Kentmere 100.

I'm going to try to get out Saturday with a couple of Nikon FAs loaded with Tri-X. The weather forecast says there's a strong chance of rain, though.

This weekend I'm using an old favourite, the Canon T70 with the fine 28-90mm Vivitar Series One Macro Focusing Zoom f/2.8-3.5.

 

Red Fed Ready ! This Fed-3 is not my favorite to use. The bulky Never-Ready case (not shown) is a PITA hanging around my neck...no body rings to clip on to. Saving grace is the Jupiter-8 lens it came with was calibrated to the camera...tack sharp ! Test roll of EDU 400 in the back. Aloha, Bill

I found it refreshing to shoot with this Voigtlander 21mm a few weeks back, but it was mounted on my Bessa L which is lacking somewhat when it comes to feel, thus the shooting enjoyment lacked a bit.

This weekend the lens is getting another chance on my M6.

I always fear that I will accidentally drop the viewfinder, which is why I use the rubber band.

I deviate from my usual HP5 and will be using a suspect film of unknown origin that was left in a film loader I purchased recently. A sticker says ISO 125 so I am guessing it is Ilford FP4, but time will tell.

Here's the compact Maxxum 100-200 f 4.5 that will also get some use on the 8000i.

Even as compact as it is, the aperture is constant. Takes 49mm filters. Good performer. Maxxum fans usually opted for the larger 70-210 f 4 (called the beercan)

Nikon F with Photomic T finder with 105mm f2.5 Nikkor lens. I finally found the Photomic F finder in black.

 

Nikon F with Photomic T finder with 105mm f2.5 Nikkor lens. I finally found the Photomic F finder in black.

Looks amazing!

 

Cleaned the haze out of this 1938 Carl Zeiss Jena 32.5mm f/2.8 in RoBoT M26 mount last weekend.

Time to play with it on this Leica I (and an M26-to-LTM adapter). No RF coupling so this'll do fine (who needs to focus with a 32.5mm lens anyway).

Loaded with Kodak Double-X

Cleaned the haze out of this 1938 Carl Zeiss Jena 32.5mm f/2.8 in RoBoT M26 mount last weekend.

Time to play with it on this Leica I (and an M26-to-LTM adapter). No RF coupling so this'll do fine (who needs to focus with a 32.5mm lens anyway).

Loaded with Kodak Double-X

I am in love with Tessar lenses! Will this one cover the whole frame?

The Tessar in my 1937 Rolleiflex Automat was also a bit hazy, and I learned it was quite easy to unscrew the front group and clean the surfaces on both sides of the aperture. As the lens was uncoated, there was little risk of damaging old fragile coatings and the whole procedure was very easy.

The lens is beautiful now and I love the idea that something this old can be put to full use - and still be enjoyed for the same reasons it was appreciated for back in the days.

RoBoT lenses should cover the whole frame. I know the 7.5cm Tele-Xenar lenses from my Luftwaffe-Robots do.

I am in love with Tessar lenses! Will this one cover the whole frame?

The Tessar in my 1937 Rolleiflex Automat was also a bit hazy, and I learned it was quite easy to unscrew the front group and clean the surfaces on both sides of the aperture. As the lens was uncoated, there was little risk of damaging old fragile coatings and the whole procedure was very easy.

The lens is beautiful now and I love the idea that something this old can be put to full use - and still be enjoyed for the same reasons it was appreciated for back in the days.

Zeiss made a 28 mm f/8 Tessar for the Contax. It does cover the full 24 x 36 mm and I think it is the classic 4 element design. The lack of covering power of the Tessar design is probably one factor in limiting the aperture to f/8.

Zeiss made a 28 mm f/8 Tessar for the Contax. It does cover the full 24 x 36 mm and I think it is the classic 4 element design. The lack of covering power of the Tessar design is probably one factor in limiting the aperture to f/8.

Just curious because Robot was 24*24mm if I remember correctly.

Just curious because Robot was 24*24mm if I remember correctly.

I think that most Robots were 24 x 24, but there was least one model that was 24 x 36.

The Robot Royal, yes, IIRC.

 

Leica also made a 28mm f/6.8 Hektor lens in LTM, I think they cut corners in image correction in the formula to keep it affordable.

Still exploring the possibilities with the Canon 7. I just shot a roll with the 50 f1.8 Serenar and the next will be with the 35 f2.8 Jupiter 12, 90 f4 Elmar and 50 f2 Jupiter 8. Then we'll have covered all of the existing possibilities. I also have a roll of Ektar 100 in the Pentax LX I'm pottering away at, but in no real rush as I've nowhere local to get it developed and about 5 rolls shot in the freezer to send at the same time.

This weekends it's the turn of "The Beast", the definitely macho Minolta Alpha 807si. I'll use the surprisingly good Minolta 55-70mm f/4 lens, and a load of Ilford Delta 400.

 

With both cameras loaded with Arista.EDU 400 material, I hope to "finish" my round of testing this line of film. Several rolls of Catlab 80 were ordered today, so that series also looks to end shortly. Aloha, Bill

First roll in a Graflex R.B. Series B in 2x3 I picked up last month from a seller in France.

Using a Graflex 23 roll film adapter

 

 

This thing is huge! Even compared to the Auto Graflex JR.

More than enough camera for a 2x3! :D

 

 

The one on the right is the 2x3 Graflex Jr? The one on the left is the RB? 4x5?

Rick- I believe the Maxxum 35-70 f 4 had an aspherical element as part of its design. I've found mine to be a good performer even at wide apertures. Unfortunately years later when Minolta started using less expensive designs, the later 35-70 f 3.5-4.5 didn't perform as well.

Rick's RoBoT Tessar inspired me to dig out my Contaflex IV for this weekend.

It is an awkward user experience; not returning mirror, uncoupled meter, back/button plate removal for film loading, but it is fun to use never-the-less. And the lens produces lovely results.

I am back to HP5+ film and I will rely on the Selenium meter as it was accurate last time I used it.

The one on the right is the 2x3 Graflex Jr? The one on the left is the RB? 4x5?

 

They're both 2x3.