robbiebedell

<p>I have a CombiPlan and it works great. Bob is absolutely right on. When you follow the directions it works very well. My negatives are extremely even. One night I sat down with it in the dark and loaded some old film with it over and over again and loading is now second nature to me. I don't even need the film guide. Again, follow the directions! You will not go wrong...</p>

<p>I once reached to the top shelf of a closet to grab my old speed graphic, which was all folded up as it should have been. When I opened it about 200 giant red carpenter ants swarmed from the inside. It was like a horror movie. I have no idea how they got inside. They did no damage. I live in Florida and bugs will sometimes show up where you least expect them. I have another bug camera horror story but that will wait for another time!</p>

<p>Bill, There used to be a very nice annual show here in West Palm Beach for many years. Perhaps you went to some of them. It stopped several years ago. The last ones that were held were very sparse.</p>

<p>Thank you all. It is so amazing to me that lenses are so subjective. All who responded here obviously are extremely experienced photographers, yet with this particular lens ( and I'm not saying this is the only one) there is such a wide range of opinion. There are so many variables. I could get very philosophical here, but I am holdng myself back so not to say anything stupid....Just want to say thanks for all who took the time to respond...Robbie (P.S. Tony, your words are very heartening...) </p>

<p>In 1975 my crank broke on an M4 I had at the time. I sent to Leica for a replacement and it cost $18. It was a black chrome M4 and maybe that was more than the regular chrome part. I thought that was a fortune at the time for such a small part. But I was able to fix it myself very easily. </p>

<p>I just caught a major typo. Joe Munroe took the phone booth photo in the 1970s, not the 1870s!</p>

<p>Thanks so much SG. I am playing around with my old IIb tessar from 1903 (about 180mm) and a Centar II which appears to be a 210 from I would guess about the same vintate. Both are very sharp lenses and I have yet to learn all I can about them. It's the same with my Leicas. I like the older lenses, collapsible summicron, etc. As long as they are clean the lower contrast seems to be very satisfying and much more pleasing then the new ones.</p>

<p>Thank You guys. The one thing I do like about this lens is that it is a bit low in contrast, but not so low that I would consider disposing of it. It may be a good sample. No signs of Schneideritis. The lens came on the Crown which once belonged to Life Magazine freelancer Joe Monroe. He is the one who took the photograph of the 22 college kids in a phone booth back in the 1870s which made the top 100 of Life's best photos. The camera is 'dead nuts' so I presume he would not have kept the lens if it was bad. It also came with a 207 Ektar which I sold and have kicking myself in the butt ever since. Thanks again for your input... Robbie. </p>

<p>Paul is correct on the front knobs. The center one frees the front shift. The little lever on the lower left when pushed down releases for the front swing. On the back should be four knobs to adjust back movements when loosened. Thats the way I remember it from my formerly- owned 985 which is quite similar.</p>

<p>There is a recent post where the quality the older Schneider 135/235 gets quite a bashing. I happen to have one on my Crown Graphic and switch it occasionally to my Wisner. It is a Linhof select lens. I think is a very good lens, particularly for black and white for which I use it exclusively. I have never shot it at 235 as I have other lenses in that approximate length. I am tonight looking at some of my negatives from last week I shot with Fuji Acros 100 and they are beautiful. Why does this lens have such a bad reputation? If so, why would a company with the reputation of Linhof choose to put such a lens on one of its cameras in the first place? I will not part with this lens as I happen to love what it can do. I would just llike to hear from those who own and use this lens (or have in the past) to comment on their thoughts. Thank You! Robbie</p>

<p>Nice camera Ray! This particular filter was a very darkish red/brown, almost something for infra red or extreme color correction. I figured he could always have UV or yellow glass put into it.</p>

<p>I saw a brother-in-law during Christmas who had brought his dad's IIIf to show me. I love the old 50mm lenses and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the camera has a on it a Summitar. And what a beautiful Summitar is it. It is perfect. One would think it was made yesterday. The glass is clear and there are no marks of any kind. I wish I could experiment with it but he lives in Wash. DC and I am in Fla., and he has since gone home. I have never used a Summitar but do regularly use my Col. Summicron which I love. The question I have is about the filter that he has on it . I know people have a hard time finding the 'right' filter for this lens. But he has one which is threaded and screws into the lens on threads that are in the back of the front ring. I never knew there were threads on a Summitar. It is a Leitz filter and I told him that it is probably pretty rare. Can any of you vouch for that? I know he would never part with this because it belonged to his dad, but I am just curious. Thanks in advance...Robbie </p>

<p>Thank you all...</p>

<p>Can anyone suggest some good places to buy b&w 4x5 film (specifically Tr-X) other than the two big New York City retail houses?</p>

<p>Robert, I don't know the serial number offhand. There is a framing lever but no self-timer. </p>

<p>Thank You all! When I say this one is like new , it is, inside and out. I own another M2 an M3 and an M6 and this M2 camera I am looking at is more quiet and smooth than any Leica M I have ever heard. That's why I want it... I do not need it, I just want it..You know how that goes....</p>

<p>I have an opportunity to buy a chrome button rewind M2 that is in "like new" condition. It's as if it's right out of the box. The seller is asking asking $1200. Does that seem high or about right? I would love to buy this camera. I would like to hear your input on this. Thank You!</p>

<p>I'm sorry, Make that Steve...</p>

<p>Michael, I have a Beattie screen on my 4x5 Wisner. If I set it up and open the shutter, then step back about ten feet and take a few steps to the left or to the right, paralel to the camera, the image goes black. I don't know if all bright screens do that but my Beattie does...Good luck</p>

<p>Robert, You might want to check C.R. Luton in England. According to their website they are now accepting repairs. I have never used them but they sure seem to know what they're doing...Just Google it and you'll find it...</p>

<p>John, I Once had a Horseman 970 and had the same problem. They take older backs than the modern Horsmen equipment You might find the proper old ground glass back but if you want to use rollfilm holders you will also need to find the older Horseman rollfilm holders. This was a number of years ago, but I had Marflex in New York adapt the 970 so it was able to take modern backs, roll film, etc. I do not even know if Marflex is still in business, but if it is, they still might do this. I do not remember how expensive it was, but it could not have been too much or I would not have done it...</p>

<p>Like Peter de Waal the rigid is also my favorite. For a few years I was without one and then saw one for sale for $300 with "Lots of small cleaning marks" on the front. I figured for $300 if the marks were serious I could have John Van Stelton at Focal Point re-coat it. When it arrived the glass was clear as new and I had to use a magnifying glass to see the marks. I spoke to a lens expert and he said if you can't see the marks with your bare eyes then they have little or no effect on your pictures. My negatives are clean and clear. It seems the marks on lens you have are very visible. I am happy for you that you are able to return it. There are "good deals" out there. Keep looking. The rigid summicron is a magical lens, Robbie B...</p>

<p>Thank you guys. The lens I am referring to is like new in a Copal 1 shutter. It seems it's not easy to price!</p>

<p>Hello, Does anyone know what the value is of a mint condition Schneider 210 G-Claron lens? I have searched the web and found very few and the prices seem to vary quite alot. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank You! Robbie B.</p>

<p>I have a friend who is living in Beijing and needs to have some work done on his M cameras lenses. Does anyone have any experience there with Leica repair and can make a positive recommendation? Thank you in advance...Robbie</p>