Saying goodbye to a new corroded friend.

<p>Hello everyone -</p>

<p>It has been many moons since I have posted here nevertheless I do check in from time to time.<br>

Might as well make come back with a silly post. It is very possible that this post does not belong here, so before everyone shouts at once, please accept my apologies in advance.</p>

<p>I purchased a Kodak Ektramax from the bay for a couple of bucks.<br>

It arrived well packaged like a healthy apple - but quite rotted inside. Advance lever was jammed, and battery leakage had caused major corrosion, which could not be reversed without major surgery (re-wire-solder etc.). <br>

Spent a couple of minutes to strip it down to bare parts and removed the lens with its plastic barrel - there it was a tiny f/1.9 lens sitting in the palm of my hand. The rest of the camera was placed in recycling without much ceremony. </p>

<p>I set it aside for a couple of days, and this evening I just made a very rough cardboard cut-out and inserted the lens through. This "assembly" was then taped to an old Fuji XE-1 (yes digital), what better way to resurrect this lens rather than letting it sit and collect dust :-).<br>

Took a couple of shots. Obviously no aperture control here so f/1.9. A couple of images below with this silly contraption yet entertaining.</p>

<p>RJ</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>First Image</p><div></div>

<p>Second Image</p><div></div>

Nice idea! Images look a little soft but beautiful tones...

<p>Thanks - this is more of a play and not letting the lens go to waste. Available light gave this effect, I wander if contrast would punch up in outdoor sunny days. Next thing is possibly making an aperture disk and placing it in front, maybe that will perk up sharpness.</p>

<p>I admire your creativity. Thanks for sharing.</p>

<p>Ingenuity at it's best. As you say, why waste a interesting lens?</p>

<p>Thanks Hosteen.</p>

<p>Thanks Rick - in all seriousness, classic manual camera seriousness - that is, I have been amassing and using Exakta items, and repairing the pinholed shutters. I must say, it's been quite rewarding.</p>

<p>Cool, Ralf! Yeah, get a piece of thin, stiff, black vinyl (cheap notebook cover) and punch a hole in it with a hand punch. makes a decent aperture.</p>

<p>Ralf, try reversing the lens --- you'll have a high magnification macro setup that way -- if the lens is at least moderately wide angle. Usually excellent depth of field too.</p>

 

<p>On it Louis :-), picked up something like that at the dollar store, all I need is time now.</p>

<p>Mike - neat idea, will give it a shot.</p>

<p>Ralf! It's good to hear from you! I was about to email you last week to see what you've been up to since we haven't talked for quite some time, but now I see what you've been cooking up in your laboratory. What a cool way to use that lens. I'm interested to see what more you'll do with your new tool.</p>

<p>Hi Andy - good to see you - sorry its been a long radio silence on my end but am hoping to visit on more regular basis. Everyday life got too demanding with family and a recent move.</p>

<p>Will see if I can reverse the lens and get a little closer</p>

Welcome back Ralf J ... Life steps ins sometimes .Excellent post. Funny "an old EX1 ... Tempus Fugit.. a

future CMC? AS Andy mentioned do post and let us see what'S up Exaktas et al , macros Ektar lenses.

<p>Thanks Chuck for commenting and it is nice to see you as well. I am glad our old crew is more or less in tact.</p>