John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I bought a Photina Reflex a while ago - a sort of poor man's Rolleiflex but more of this later. Here are some shots I did at Rothley Station on the preserved Great Central Railway, Leicestershire, UK.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 Another one there are six altogether:<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 The Station Staff<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 A sign:<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 The Stationmasters Office has an old imperial typewriter on the desk.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 On the desk.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 The station roof.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 This was taken at Abbey Park in Leicester. Film was Fuji 800ASA, probably not the best test for the Westar lens on the Photina.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 Finally this is the page from the Wallace Heaton catalogue of 1956/6, showing the price of the camera with Westar lenses as £20.19.9, with the ever ready case (which I have) at £3.3.9. The Cassar lens version was more expensive.I guess the average take home wage in those days was around £10 to £20 a week.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Very nice. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve salmons Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I like these! Well composed warmly lit images. I have never heard anyone extolling the virtues of the Photina TLR before but based on these results I'm quite surprised not to have done. I would guess the exposures were made stopped down around f8 or more.<br>. I have done some digging around on the brand name. The Photavit cameras were made by Photavit-Werk of Nurnberg. The same camera also appeared in the USA as the Sears Tower Reflex and in Germany as the Obergassner Oga-Reflex. <br> I too have a range of Wallace Heaton catalogues ranging from the early 1950s to 1970. They make fascinating reading for the collector and historian and are are wonderful source of the minute details of lesser know models as well as contemporary prices. I wouldn't be without them.<br> Thanks for an enjoyable post.<br> Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connealy Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 What fine images. No need to compare them to anything else; they stand on their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustys pics Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Very cool shots.You made good use of the camera. THe "Old Chap" is a fine portrait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrankin Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 The square format, smooth tones and waist level perspective are all wonderfully refreshing to me, taking me back to the seventies and a number of my Yashica TLRs now probably wasting away in other people's closets while I quest for the Holy Grail of such rich and smooth-toned images from my digital camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_supplee Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Very nice shots. I really like the "Station Staff" pic alot. Great composition on all of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cary_chin1 Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Great photos! You are living proof that it's not the camera, it's the person behind it that takes the photograph! Cary Chin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene m Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Excellent work with a very cool old camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorgums Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 I have never heard of this camera, but it sure is a good one! The pictures are excellent- at least, they would be more than acceptable to me - in terms of rendition and contrast. I think your compositions were very well done too. What surprises me is that such a older - respectfully- less well known camera such as this can give great pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 John, Let me also say; really fine images. I know this model too! I have one and I was surprised how little "penetration" the model had in recognition. I did find most of the info given here with exception of the catolog pages which were indeed intersting. I think the composition and execution here are excellent! When I received mine(2001?), the focusing screen broke in transit and I have yet to properly repair it. Co-incidentally I just received a replacement screen from Rick Oleson! So Stand by. As Mr Chin mentioned it's not the camera, so I doubt if I will do as well. Mine has the Cassa lens.and focus is a bit stiff. The ready case is torn along the edge but is good for storing the camera! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbu Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 These are truly beautiful shots with your Photina, they remind me that I may have kept mine ten years ago. I have always been surprised by the quality of the images (mine had a Cassar lens). Sadly I had problems with the shutter and the focussing mechanism. I found also the focussing screen comparingly usable. Wonderful light-weight (and cheap at that time) TLR, whish I had it back...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luis triguez Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 John, These pictures are impressive, so the camera. That kind of suitcases transports me to other times. I keep a similar one full up of old photographs. I enjoy the office picture and the detailed typewriter one. I wonder what is writhed on the old man fingers. Sure you’ll can see it, even if it is shot on a 800 ASA film. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Seaman Posted August 31, 2008 Author Share Posted August 31, 2008 Thanks to all for the various comments & contributions, I'm sorry I've been busy and didn't get around to returning to the thread sooner. To answer Luis's question here is a crop of the original scan of the Old Chap. You should be able to see what is written on his hand. It is LOVE.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luis triguez Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Thanks John for both: Show me the blow up of the hand and show me how to write written (no writhed) :-(( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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