Overindulging in classic cameras

<p>Yep, sometimes you get bored and browse a little too much Ebay or other websites. Dangerous when you have some holiday money burning a hole in your pocket.</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10423933_687190934662600_6536625613837603875_n.jpg" alt="" width="820" height="520" /><br>

<br />For a big Re-enactment Trip in September, we're planning to actually shoot and develop 4x5 film in the field. I felt I needed a few more sheet holders (and a grafmatic).<br>

A friend had shown me some great results from his Rolleicord and Proxar close-up set. So I simply had to have one.<br>

The Kodak Signet 40 has always fascinated me ever since I've heard of it. The last one of the pretty Signet cameras, I feel.<br>

The photo book "Entering Germany" with work from Tony Vaccaro, contains some wonderful photos he took with his Argus C-3 from 1944 to the end of the war and during the occupation of Germany by the Allies.<br>

<br />"Germany's New Generation"<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/EGV02.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="525" /><br>

While I was at it, somewhere back in 2012 I bought "Shots of War" by Vaccaro, but the book never arrived in the mail. It had been signed by a veteran from the 83rd Infantry Division too. <br />Looking for an other sample I was appalled to find them selling secondhand for over $230.<br />So I settled for an Italian edition of "Scatti di Guerra" with work of both Tony Vaccaro and Lee Miller.<br /><br /><br />Another boring day at work left me staring at a Kodak No.1 Panoram for too long...so I clicked "Buy it Now"<br /><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10329818_690858067629220_2319862913898366800_o.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="791" /><br>

It does need a little maintenance and some small repairs. I'm quite excited to try it out. <br />It takes 4 6x18cm negatieves on a roll of 120 film (originally 105 format). <br /><br />(The VPK in that photo is about to go to a new home, The Tin Shed Experience Museum in Wales) <br /><br />And then a friend who's moved out of the Ukraine recently was selling off part of his collection to free up some cash. So, to help him out I bought one of his Sputnik Stereo cameras and a Voigtländer Turnit 3 accessory viewfinder. <br />And I needed a Rollei Bay-1 hood too....like a hole in the head.<br>

Someone call the paramedics to re-animate my Credit Card.<br>

<br />What did you buy recently?</p>

<p>Also picked up these two last month<br>

<br />Late metal body Voigtländer Brillant and a Balda Baldina . <br>

<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/1925228_678872145494479_1246896001511250196_n.jpg" alt="" width="820" height="552" /><br>

Both shutters required a clean and slight lubrication job. The Baldina also needed some other parts serviced; the door latch was missing a screw, the film lock button spring needed replacing and some lubrication. The rangefinder needed a good clean, lubrication and calibration too. <br />The leatherette got a gentle cleaning too. It can still use a slight dose of shoe polish I think. <br /><br /><br />And Contax II number 2 (on the left) came back from the repair guy after a full service :)<br>

<img src="https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10449962_681678075213886_2402301431398473999_n.jpg" alt="" width="820" height="552" /><br>

<br /><br />Bought a Jupiter-12 in Contax mount from 1959 to go with it too. </p>

<p>Nice haul. I especially like the Contax II.</p>

<p>I'm struggling with the few purchases I made at the beginning of the year. I also bought a Contax II. It's in rough condition but works Ok. I let my Russian repairman look at it. He's too busy to do any work for me, but is one of the few people in my area that knows anything about old cameras. His analysis is; I spent way too much. He assumed the lens was part of the purchase. Haha !! That it was probably serviced in the 50s when a PC flash adapter was added, but will likely need service again on the shutter. Replace the silk cord shutter straps. He also noted the finder has mildew. This can be cleaned though in his opinion! Zitat. Should be overhauled , but probably won't improve the function of the camera very much. <br>

You are much more the fixer-upper . Hope to see some results from the Panoramic 120 soon!</p>

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<p>I agree with Mike that that's a pretty impressive haul, Rick. Looking forward to seeing some shots from that stuff.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Dangerous when you have some holiday money burning a hole in your pocket.<br>

</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Even more dangerous when you don't have any holiday money in you pocket! While I haven't been nearly as productive as you have, I did manage to score a couple of deals on these two little beauties.</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17801593-md.jpg" alt="DSC_6082" width="680" height="450" border="0" /></p>

<p>The Canonet needed a rangefinder adjustment to return to full functionality, including the meter (took all of about 15 minutes). The Vito CLR needs a shutter cleaning before it also will be fully functioning. I hope to get to that next week. Then I'll just have to find time to put some film through them.</p>

<p>Chuck, that Contax 2 that just came back from my repair guy I picked up on the cheap. It included the 50mm Sonnar, a couple of filters and Zeiss reloadable cassettes, a Ikophot lightmeter (not accurate) in a big carrying case. <br />The camera had quite a bit of internal dust, rust and mildew I'm told. My guy said it was one of the nicest cameras he's worked on though. Even with his fee it was a good buy. <br />Strangely enough it also has the added flash sync in the same spot as yours. I told the repair guy to disconnect it if it was causing any trouble.<br />The repairman also replaced the shutter straps of the other contax a year ago. And currently he's replacing the curtains in one of my Zorki 1 cameras. <br /><br />I've bought that Jupiter-12 and a pre-war 85mm f/2 Sonnar for it. Looking for a good period accessory viewfinder to go with the Contaxes.<br /><br />On the repair/service bench this week were the Kodak Supermatic shutter from my Baby Speed Graphic; The Welta Weltax shutter got a complete overhaul and focus verification; The Baldina's Rangefinder got another tweak; Trying to restore a Zeiss Albada sports finder, but the half mirror is too far gone. <br />And right now I'm making sure the Kodak Panoram is light tigh.<br /><br /></p>

 

<p>Um, er, ah, I haven't bought anything for a while. Not that I have <em>everything</em>, rather that I have more gear than I need and haven't found anything for a while that I really want badly. Last purchase was a 75/14 Perigraphe that grabbed me and that I absolutely positively could have lived without. My gear to-get list is empty.</p>

<p>My gear to-do list is very short. When I can get free I'll visit SKGrimes to discuss modifying a recessed 2x3 Cambo board to accept a modified Ilex #3 on a 2x3 Graphic board. The shutter is dedicated to my three f/14 Perigraphes (60, 75 and 90 mm). I have a flat 2x3 Cambo board that accepts it. What with one thing and another the 60 won't make infinity on my 6x12 rig, and I'd like to use it on that format. The other two are fine as is. I hope the modification I want can be done. If it isn't possible, I'll just have to make do with a 58/5.6 Grandagon or a 65/8 Ilex. As I said, I have more gear than I need.</p>

<p>There's more to life than accumulating things.</p>

<p>Nice spot of indulging, <strong>Rick</strong>. I particularly like the Signet and the Panoram. Funnily enough, I too found a pristine Turnit III, much to my delight, though they don't come cheap...Otherwise, nothing much of interest in the last couple of weeks; there was a nice Hi-Matic E, an Instamatic 400 with the clockwork motor, and a tidy copy of the gem-like Voigtlander Vitoret 110EL . Repairs to workhorse cameras swallowed most of my budget.</p><div></div>

<p>Ok. ok, stop it! Too much camera porn for this early in the morning. Nice haul Rick, and really there is no limit to the things you really...yes really need.</p>

<p>Kodak panoramic camera? What? I wanted one for a while. When will you get to shoot those? Great buy! Congrats.</p>

The Kodak No1 Panarom, yes... Made me look it up. Interesting. Do post some photos when you have them, Rick. (And make sure that will be soon rather than late. ;-) )

<p>Serial number is quite low, 339 of about 22000 made. Probably from around 1901 after they stopped putting Rapid-Rectilinear lenses on them.<br /><br />Bellows material is like chamois and not light tight I'm afraid. Working on making it so. Also looking to make the film door edges more light tight. There's some play between the two body halve. <br /><br /><br /><br />But yes.....sooooon. </p>

<p>I went through a box camera craze a couple of years ago, and the Panoram No. 1 was one I bought. I found I had to add a washer under the take up spool or the rewind wouldn't engage. This is a very fun camera! Right now I'm after another cool old camera on ebay, but this is the LAST message board I would say which one! Below shot taken with Panoram.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

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<p>I was bidding on another Graflex Combat 45 ...but the bidding war drove me away. Do I need another Combat 45 camera? <br /><br />Oh if someone knows where I can get a Simmon Bros Combat Camera, let me know ;) <br /><br /></p>

<p>Hello everyone. The Classical Camera's are an affliction that is most interesting. Most of us at one time or another have had the best of equipment, but perhaps as we "age" (I'm 71), our second childhood emerges. Mine is not a "2nd", but that period when as a teen, lust developed not only for that blonde in school, but for the catalogs showing all the goodies available.<br>

So, when the "bug bit" last year, I entered into the world of folder cameras, primarily from the early 50's, or just a bit earlier. Many purchases later, I now enjoy the various cameras...they produce prints just as well as the "newer" cameras and keep me happy in my senior citizen years. My advice, get involved!<br>

Enjoy, Bill</p><div></div>

<p>Bill, that is a beautiful photo; well-composed, nice sharpness and contrast. Those old Isolettes really capture what you're composing. You and that camera are a nice combo!</p>