A foggy morning with the Retina Reflex IV

Folks,

 

For a few years now, I've had a Kodak Retina Reflex IV. In fact, one

of these was my very first SLR. I picked it up in high school for

only $25 with original case and 50/2.8 Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-

Xenar lens, working selenium meter and all! I still have that one,

but the shutter locked up a few years ago. I picked up another on

evilBay for a nice price and it's still going strong. And the shutter

speed and aperture info can be seen in the working Reflex IV's finder-

-unlike my first example. But I digress...

 

I'm always amazed at the wonderful images this fine (if somewhat

clunky and quirky) camera produces. I think it's due, in part, to the

Schneider lenses. Along the way, I've acquired a 50/2.8 (which came

on the first example I bought), 50/1.9 Xenon, 35/2.8, 28/4, (both

wides bear the "Curtagon" label) and 135/4. I still would like to get

the 200/4.8 and 85/4. The 85mm is called "Tele-Arton" and the longer

two lenses have the "Tele-Xenar" designation.

 

I love the dual bright orange depth-of-field indicators, which move

to show DOF on the lens barrel as you adjust the f/stop. NEAT!!!

 

Another added bonus is that the Retina IV (and the other Retina SLRs)

are leaf-shutter cameras, and you can X-sync right up to 1/500, the

top speed. Try that with your Nikon F. (Just kidding--the two lines

of cameras are like apples & oranges.)

 

So, now I'll hush and show some images. Hope you like 'em...

 

--Micah in NC<div></div>

Another pic...<div></div>

And another...<div></div>

A fourth...<div></div>

And lastly...<div></div>

Micah, pictures #3 and 4 blows me away. If you ask an artist to paint a nice dream, it will look like these. excellent job. you should use this camera more often. thanks for sharing

There is a painter who makes images like this, though in slightly more "accelerated" hues. Wolf Kahn is his name I think.

 

Very nice. Nothing like the mountains of North Carolina for a bit of summer times atmosphere.

Nice fog, good fog.

<I>Nothing like the mountains of North Carolina for a bit of summer times atmosphere.</I><P>

 

How do you get summer time atmosphere from leafless trees? :)<P>

 

Alan

One important thing I've discovered about North Carolina fog in my time here so far: it's more often like the fog inside a gymnasium shower room, than what I was used to in Seattle. Before moving here, I'd never seen fog above about 18C; since, I haven't seen it below about 22C.

Alan:

 

You are right! The summer atmosphere is entirely in my head it seems. A week of super hot & humid temperatures in NYC + 3 nieces & 1 sister along with two zoos, several trips to Central Park playgrounds & carousel, dim sum & Chinatown, a boat trip around NY harbour & infinite hours in FAO Schwarz, Toys R Us & American Girl (there is a hell!) and I am cooked. Dead uncle.

Folks,

 

As Alan noted, the leafless trees give away the fact that these pics were made much earlier in the year (March or early April, IIRC). Sorry to cause confusion.

 

Thanks for all the nice comments on these photos!!!

 

Mihai, you are most kind. Too kind.

 

Jorn, I will have to look up Wolf Kahn and view some of his works.

 

Donald, are they on the Celsius/metric system out in Seattle? (Just kidding.) I guess that kind of fog just isn't a common occurrence here in N.C. Piedmont, but I think I've seen fog here in the foothills when ambient temps were <64 degrees Fahr. (18 deg. C).

 

These pics make me wish it was much cooler nowadays!

 

--Micah in NC

P.S.

 

These were all taken on Kodak Gold 200 film. "Scanning" is by Wal-Mart Photo CD service from the local store's one-hour lab.

 

--Micah in NC

Very nice, Micah. It recalls a December detour I took after staying on the Interstate too far south, into Tennessee. I got off, filled my tank and sort of rhetorically asked the gas station guy about a winding, but direct route over the mountains to Asheville that appeared on my map.

 

"Oh boy, stay away from that twisty road; double back on the Interstate and come southeast again."

 

I ignored him, took my brand new 5-speed Mercedes up this twisty creek-side road, and had the time and views of my life.

 

About a year later, that same road was featured in "Automobile" or "Road and Track" as one of the most fun (twisty) and scenic routes in the country!

 

A few years later, I missed the BMW Motorcycle Owners national rally held down that way; a grand time was had by all, I'm told.

 

Thanks for the views.

 

Ray Hull