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benjamin_cochrane

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Posts posted by benjamin_cochrane

    Kodak Medalist II

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    Wendell I have many TLR's including Rolleis, and enjoy shooting them all. To me its an apples and oranges thing. At times I prefer the square format and WLF, other times I don't. I prefer the horizontal format of the Medalist for shooting landscapes, and yes 6x9 is quite a bit bigger than 6x6, especially if you end up cropping to horizontal.

     

    The Medalist is also quite a bit tougher then my most robust TLR, and much cheaper (then a Rollei) to boot. Other than folders, the only other 6x9 rangefinders I can think of, are the Texas Leicas (Fuji) and the Horseman; both of which could buy me a box full of Medalists.

     

    As far as film, it only takes me 5 minutes to spool up a roll of 620.

    Canon EF & M42 lenses

    in Canon FD Mount

    Posted

    Thanks Peter.

     

    I agree with your thoughts. To me the camera and lens, is as much apart of the photographic experience as composition. I love the uniqueness of each one of them, old or new. I know a guy in New Mexico, who regularly shoots 100 year old Kodaks, some with single elements and doublets, and his photos are amazing.

     

    Its fun switching gears too. With the Canon and lenses, I also brought along a Super Ikonta A, Kodak Medalist and a Canon 110ED. Can't get too much more diverse then that.

    Canon EF & M42 lenses

    in Canon FD Mount

    Posted

    Had a couple of spare hours the other day, so I took the Canon EF, some M42 and

    one Exakta lens up to the Sacramento Delta. Used Lens Mount Coverters "P" and

    "E". Film was Velvia 50.

     

    I used the following lenses. The first 4 I'd never used before, and the last two

    are regular shooters, that I brought for comparison.

     

    Meyer Optik Primoplan 58/1.9

    Rikenon 55/1.8

    Angeniux 90/2.5

    Steinheil 135/3.5

    Pentax SMC 35/3.5

    Steinheil 135/2.8 Macro (Exakta mount)

     

    All seemed to perform well, each having a unique look. The "lowly" Primoplan

    didn't live up to its bad rep, by producing some really nice images. The Rikenon

    had a "cool" look. The Angeniux was the least contrasty, but has a paint like

    quality to its images, with great bokeh. The 135/3.5 Steinheil was just solid

    all around, but showed some unusual bokeh in busy backgrounds. The Pentax 35

    SMC, was the most contrasty, and the Steinheil Macro is just one outstanding lens.

     

    Images are in the next post...

    Lightweight Backpacking Camera Kits

    in Canon FD Mount

    Posted

    Terry I use to struggle with the same question, but anymore I just bring up whatever I want. I'm not an ultra-lite guy, so weight isn't a big issue with me. The usual kit consists of an F-1 with, 20/2.8, 50/1.4 and Kiron 105/2.8 Macro. I stay away from the AA battery dependent and noisy T series cameras.

     

    If you had to go lite, I'd consider an AE-1 with some small FD "new" primes; staying away from the heavy and slow zooms. The later primes, as you probably know, are much lighter, then the earlier SSC and Chrome Nose verstions. A 24 or 28, 50, and 85 or 100 with 52mm filter threads would be a nice compact kit.

     

    These days I'm bringing a medium format kit with the Canon. It's heavy but pays off with the big chromes, and negs.

    Ikoflex Favorit Metering Scale Question

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    Hi John.

     

    I have an Ikoflex Favorit too, but my ASA/DIN values are different. Instead of the standard 100 ASA = 21 DIN, mine has 40 ASA = 21 DIN. All this time and I never noticed that.

     

    Anyways, I set the film speed via ASA and use the "red" light value calculations. The meter is very accurate, as chromes are exposed perfectly in average light. I always have my Sekonic for the contrasy days. Not sure what the top scale is for, never use it.

    Yashica GSN

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    Your right, these sure aren't Rollei 35's. I've always prefered the heavier cameras though, don't know why.

     

    Kodachrome is awesome, but I think maybe its days are numbered. Big Yellow is dumping their product lines faster then Enron stock. Irritates me that they stopped making Kodachrome 25 not to mention Tech Pan. I only have a few rolls left in my freezer.

    Yashica GSN

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    Haven't had much time to spend on the forum lately, so I thought I'd

    post a few photos from a recent day trip with my son.

     

    This camera is a little OT (1973), but many Electros were built in the

    60's so I thought this wouldn't be a problem. Aquired this camera

    from a nice lady on eBay, clean as a whistle.

     

    One thing that suprises me about this camera, is how accurate the

    meter is. Exposed K64 perfectly.<div>00Fehi-28823784.jpg.f03d3be5904a01e6024a83b934a350dd.jpg</div>

    Contarex and Rapid Focus Lenses

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    I have used both the 180 and 250, neither I found to be "rapid"

     

    I would hold the camera/lens with my left hand underneath, and focus with my right. The tension knob could then be tighened on the focus wheel and the hand moved back to release the shutter. The front part of the lens barrel extends and retracts as you focus.

     

    I never cared for the hand-grip, but the tripod mount could be rotated 90' by pushing the silver button on the left side.

     

    The Contarex is a heavy camera, add a tele and you have one substantial package. I think it would be very awkward to hold the camera and focus with one hand, though I've never tried it.<div>00FF5F-28150784.jpg.e726f6fb278cd3a4e50beab3f2cb4223.jpg</div>

    How do classic Zeiss lenses compare with modern Canon/Nikon/Pentax lenses

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    I once shot my Contarex and Canon FD stuff side by side. Nothing scientific, but I did use a tripod, mirror lock-up, cable and using K64 took the best of 3 images at all apertures (I was really board that day).

     

    The major real world differences that I noted, were the warmer colors and creamy smooth bokeh of the Zeiss lenses, as compared to the very neutral but in most cases sharper Canons.

     

    In summary, the Distagons (25/2.8, 35/2) to my eye, beat the equivelent Canons in every respect. The standard lenses were very close, and except for the 85/2 the Zeiss teles were no match for the Canons. The Zeiss 180/2.8 and 250/4 Sonnars really showed their age, compared to the Canon 200/2.8 and 80-200/4L zoom.

     

    The 85/2 Sonnar, though not as sharp and contrasty as the Canon 85/1.2 Aspherical, has beautiful bokeh and the warm colors are fantastic! one of my favorite lenses.

     

    The following photos are small crops at center image, and are typical of the differences I found.<div>00F01L-27741884.jpg.3e5d78e90779cd7bc844ed5f0a6f965a.jpg</div>

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