Old railway station with Zeiss Ikon Nettar 517/16 on Velvia

[daniirwan]

<p>Hi all. Just would like to share some shots from my 1st roll of slide film that I shot this past weekend. Location is the old railway station situated right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has a very unique architecture, influenced by Islamic and also Moorish elements. The station was completed in 1910 and it has been shot to death by generations of Malaysian photographers. It was my 1st time shooting film there though.</p>

<p>Film was Fuji Velvia 100 and the camera I used was a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 517/16 with a Novar Anastigmat 75mm f/6.3 lens. Seeing the film when I got it back from the lab, I was hooked! 6 out of 12 frames had severe lightleaks (long story short: film loading troubles, operator error), but nevertheless, I'm happy! Just holding up the film against a bright light filled me with wonder, I felt like a little kid again. Now I know I'll be shooting slides more often from now on...I already have a roll of Agfa CT Precisia and have 2 rolls of Astia & Sensia on the way to me. :)</p>

<p>Now, regarding the camera. I'm sure most of you are familiar with this baby, especially Stephanie Maks (thanks for all your help!). There are several shots with severe vignetting at the corners, but I read somewhere that this is per normal with some Novar lenses on Nettars. I kind of like it. Compared to another folder that I have, the Voigtlander Perkeo I, the Nettar is somewhat limited, with the slow lens and limited shutter speeds. Plus, the Perkeo I that I have (with Vaskar lens) is vignette free. However, I think I like using the Nettar more, for whatever reason. :) Focusing was done via the use of a Telex accessory rangefinder (similar to Mr. Meluso's, but white-faced instead of black)...I can't guesstimate distances if my life depended on it!</p>

<p>All of the following photos were scanned using Canon Canoscan 8800f. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Comments are welcomed and much appreciated. :)</p>

<p>P.S: A page on the webs says the Nettar were produced from the 30's until the 50's. Can anyone pinpoint exactly when was the 517/16 manufactured?</p>

<p><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/daniirwan/2edres.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[daniirwan]

<p><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/daniirwan/5-1ed.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[daniirwan]

<p><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/daniirwan/4-1edCustom.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[jamesmck]

<p>Wow, Dani, those are fantastic. I have the same camera and am <em>very</em> fond of it. I also see the slight vignetting you mention. I was pleased with my results with Ektar posted here a few weeks ago, but seeing your shots makes me want to try some Velvia. Nice work.</p>

[daniirwan]

<p>Thank you so much James! You should try some Velvia, it's fabulous. Makes me not want to shoot negatives ever again, haha. Of course, I havent' tried any other slide film before. I read that Velvia produces very vivid and saturated colors, so much so that it's almost cartoonish. It seems to hold true. But it costs quite a lot to get it processed here in Malaysia..approx $10 just to process it and get it sleeved (not mounted)...whereas processing a roll of C41 film here just costs $1! Then again, it's all relative..10 bucks to get a roll of slides processed is perhaps considered cheap where you are. Anyway, it's good to see another person who has and loves the Nettar..awesome cameras, aren't they? I'll look up the thread you posted, I believe I missed it. Thanks again for the visit & comment James.</p>

[jamesmck]

<p>Dani - Mine are at http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00UpWn. $1 for C-41 is a bargain. Cost of E-6 in the US is about what you mention. I like not only the results from the Nettar, but it is such a pleasure in the hands.</p>

[tom_aellis1]

<p>Wonderful!</p>

[silverscape]

Nice pictures, Dani! I really like saturated colors (which is why I love Ektar!). I haven't tried Velvia yet though.

 

I have a Zeiss Ikon 515/16 and it's incredibly sharp. I was suprised and amazed at how sharp it was. Well, when I guess right on the distance anyway!

[va3uxb]

<p>Great pictures Dani! Velvia is a great film, I'd heard the same thing about the vibrant colours and it doesn't dissapoint.<br>

I read somewhere that the 517/16 was introduced in 1949. Camerapedia maybe. <br>

The Nettar is a wonderful camera -- a great MF camera that fits in a jacket pocket or purse. :)</p>

 

[k5083]

<p>Great shots. I use Velvia quite a bit in my old folders as well, but on balance, I find that Astia generally works more reliably. It is a little more forgiving on latitude and it can often be hard to tell what shutter speed those old shutters are really giving you (although I do use an electronic tester). There is nothing like the look of Velvia when you do nail it, though. The vignetting is quite normal, especially on the f6.3 lens. I don't see it as much on my faster Novars.</p>