Andrew in Austin

<p>The photography classes at the Fine Arts Dept of UT Austin still get the ball rolling with film cameras. First semester students use a 35mm SLR and Tri-X, which means my favorite film is usually in stock at a book-store that is a couple of blocks from where I work.</p> <p>Second semester students can be seen using either a Hasselblad or a Mamiya 7 rangefinder. Some do use a 4x5.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Out of the 80'ies forward fixed-lens 35mm cameras, I only have owned the Olympus XA and XA2. Both models are getting long in tooth. Who knows how much life they have left int them?</p> <p>Not many of the fixed-lens 35mm cameras <strong>introduced after 1980</strong> were built to last more than 100 rolls of film. Today, the vast majority of the plastic wonders are semi-disposables. You use them until they break.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Cameras with a built-in flash tend to be totally battery dependent for everything - including the film advance and rewind. Frequent use of the flash will diminish battery life.</p> <p>An Olympus Stylus/Mju/Epic with the 35m/2.8 Zuiko would be the safe bet and should be cheap. There were millions of them sold during the point and shoot film era.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Great presentation of the camera and the photos displayed show the capabilities of the camera in good hands.</p> <p>I'm still hording three medium format folders - a Perkeo II, a Super Isolette and a Agfa Record III. Unlike a grab and go compact 35mm camera, they do require added deliberate steps to use. The latter two Agfas have rangefinder patches in the main viewfinder window, so only one eyepiece for both.</p> <p>With that said - it is the scale focusing Perkeo II that gets brought out when someone comes by with their modern medium format outfit just to show them how small a medium format camera can be - but when it comes time to load some film and go, its Agfa Super Isolette that's usually my first pick, followed by the Record III.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Outstanding documentary images - Compared to the now crowded city where I live, there is a sense of harmony to these village scenes.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Quite a few responses. I'm in the John Robison camp. So much so that I bought a spare for $15.</p> <blockquote> <p>"<a href="/photodb/user?user_id=1500304">john robison</a> , Jul 21, 2014; 10:58 a.m. Pilot user here too. Cheap, sturdy, reliable."</p> </blockquote> <p>And I'll add - once the match needle is set all the possible shutter/aperture combinations for specific light value are easily read from the dials.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>I use an older, batteries not included, Gossen Pilot selenium light meter with my 80 year old Leica II. It works well until about EV7 @ 400 ISO for B/W negs. In its reflective mode, I do have to aim it down a bit away from any bright lighting or even a cloudy sky. It's incident mode works really well.</p> <p>Out of curiosity is anyone else using a Selenium meter with their vintage camera?</p> <p>Best Regards, </p> <p> </p>

<p>Rick - your compositions look pretty good for using the VIDOM finder. What did you use to meter with?</p> <p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Correction on that Vito II - went for $18.20 USD for the camera, the original case and the original instruction book. </p> <p>The point here is there are still compact, fixed-lens, manual/mechanical 35mm bargains out there. For example: Unless, its a black body version, the Canonet QL 17 GIII is still a reasonable buy.</p> <p>However, once again - it's a buyers market for some very nice 35mm SLR cameras.</p> <p>Best Regards,</p> <p> </p>

<p>Michael - You can still get an Oly 35RC for under $60 USD on the big auction site. Granted that on the cheaper ones, they are usually untested and you'll need to add in the cost of Kanto MR-9 battery adapter. So compared to the plethora of 35mm SLR cameras available, the 35RC isn't a bargain camera.</p> <p>I have one. I love the concept - but my 80 year old Leica II with an Elmar 50/3.5 has seen more use - because it fits better in the front pocket of a pair of cargo pants.</p> <p>Fixed-lens 35mm cameras vary on how well they've aged. The 35RC has a lot of Trip 35 in its DNA both cameras have aged pretty well. </p> <p>On an older note - only this morning I saw a 1950'ish Voigtlander Vito II with a 50/3.5 Skopar set in a Compur Rapid sell for only $22 USD on the big auction site. There were only 2 bidders. </p>

<p>I too have been enjoying these time capsules. This week's posting brings back memories of a Zeiss Ikon folder that I kept for a few years with the Wallace Heaton gold seal on the back.<br> Best Regards,<br> <br />Andrew in Austin, TX</p>

<p>That's the rub - these Ukrainian Rembrandt wannabees always seem to need a full service.</p>