bruce_z._li2

Nemours Estate (by the DuPont family) in Wilmington, Delaware. Voigtlander Bessa L, Snapshot Skopar 25/4, Wolfen NP100 film in Adox FX-39 II.

It seems there must be product improvements by Argus over the model's lifetime. I have an "Argus 40" (as shown on front plate) which has a matte (and almost rubber coated) surface inside. I guess Argus discovered the "bafflingly" reflection problems themselves or from their customers. In my use, the Argus 40 is one of the best "cheap" boxy cameras with an excellent triplet lens and very usable aperture/speed ranges. I typically use black velvet fabric (with self adhesive back, designed for jewelry boxes) for my cameras. For example, many Holga cameras benefit from added baffles due to their shining plastic interior.

I think partly is due to faster speed film (ISO 200) and bright sunlight leads to smaller aperture, which provides more Depth of Field. I did practice zone focusing quite a bit, since I have too many zone focus cameras. :-) I even lined up my living room with 5 gym mats, each 3 feet wide. So I can practice 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 feet. If something falls in between, I just move myself so I can get to those "magic numbers".

The little Olympus XA2 just sings. Fujicolor C200, Bellini C41 home processed. And pretty proud of my scale focus / hyperfocal skills. :-)

Who likes 44mm normal lens? On the left: Topcon 35-S with Topcor 44/2 lens. On the right: Kodak Signet 35 with Ektar 44/3.5 lens. Both are of excellent quality.

A few photos from the US East Coast. Voigtlander Bessa L, Snapshot Skopar 25/4, Orwo Wolfen UN54 film in Adox FX-39 II. UN54 (a East European cine film) is a new film to me, and this first roll seems either over-exposed or over-developed. The other two rolls from the same tank seems ok (Orwo/Wolfen NP100, Ilford Pan F+ 50). Will try Kodak D96 developer as recommended by the manufacturer. Pure reflection The bridge The kiosk

Four 35mm compacts clockwise from top right: Yashica Electro 35 GTN, Minoltina AL-S, Canonet New QL17, Fujica 35-ML. Yashica GTN (GSN's darker cousin) is excellent for low light shots, and have perfect ergonomics despite its largest size. Minoltina is the lightest and most compact with the best all-around lens. Canonet is the most capable, albeit weak RF patch on my sample (thus the blue filter). Fujica has the most 3D looking lens, and slightly different operations.

My second roll of Harman Phoenix color film in the Filoli Gardens. Camera was Contarex Bullseye with CZ Planar 50/2 lens. Most Contarex lenses can focus quite close for macro shots. Bellini C41 home processed. Rusted scooter Tulip with jagged edge Yellow Golden

Sabrina custom ultrawide 4x5 point and shoot camera: In action in Pacifica:

Recently I took my custom 4x5 ultrawide point&shoot camera to the Pacifica beach. Schneider 65/8 lens, expired EPP100 Ektachrome cross-processed in C41. There are some vignetting on all four corners. California golden poppy on Linda Mar beach Driftwood logs and Rockway Beach And two B&W photos shot on Ilford HP5+ with orange filter, developed in Adox FX-39 II. Coastal pine and Linda Mar beach A view to the Pacific Ocean

Hi Rick, I happen to have the darker sister Yashica Electro 35 GTN loaded with Ilford HP5+. It is new to me so that will be a test roll. Many years ago I was in Stockholm with the silver 35 GSN, and a young man asked me if it was a Leica. Pretty camera you say? 😂

The Sabrina 4x5 custom camera with Super Angulon 65/8 near Pacifica, California. It seems the lens does not cover the entire 4x5 frame, or it could be the filter vignette. With the Grafmatic film holder, I can shoot fast like Wee Gee.

@Niels - NHSN Hi Niels, what a coincidence. I just picked up a N80 (F80) for the price of a good burger. It was in its original box with manuals, but the rubber is a bit sticky. Just cleaned that up with 91% alcohol and microfiber cloth. Initially the camera has a bit of hesitation in shutter and mirror, probably been sitting idle for too long. But after 50 shutter release or so, it is now back to good service! I was also planning to find a cheap and good lens like the 28-80 G you have there. For now, it is comically light with a "pro" lens like 18-35/2.8.

Hi @chuck_foreman1 I'm happy to see your high quality photos out of the Contax/Sonnar: they really shines even in today's standards.

Hi @rick_drawbridge February was a good time to explore North Island, a bit off peak tourist season. In addition to Tutukaka, we also visited Rotorua and Aukland. With the family I need to travel light, so only brought Nikon EM and 55/3.5 macro lens. I wish I had more manual control for challenging lighting conditions. 4x5 or 6x12 will do its justice if I were to travel alone there for photography.

I don't often use 28mm focal length, but it is important to exercise them once in a while. On the left is Nikon F3HP with Nikkor 28/2 Ai'd, while the right is the diminutive Pentax ME Super with petite 28/2.8. The Pentax combo will be really sweet for some street photography.

I finally processed and scanned some photos from our New Zealand trip. These few are from Tutukaka on the North Island. I only brought the humble Nikon EM with a 50/3.5 macro lens, very light and capable travel combo. Film was Fujifilm C200 (Japan version), Bellini C41 home processed. Sunset towards Tutukaka harbor Rainbow over Pacific Ocean Tutukaka harbor right after sunset

Thank you Rick. In addition to the quality, I really enjoy the methodical and even therapeutic pace of making one sheet of film at a time.

It was a sunny but windy afternoon at the Coyote Point marina along the San Francisco Bay. My focusing dark cloth almost got blown over into the marsh. Camera was a Chamonix F1 4x5 field camera with Schneider Symmar 135mm f/5.6 convertible, film was Ilford HP5+, with an orange filter. Adox FX-39 II 1+9. Driftwood and marsh flower Rusted pipes and rocks Abandoned wagon

I recently bought a Nikon 28 f2 non-AI in mint condition, and it took $35 (plus two-way shipping) for the Ai conversion. Since I guess Chuck you are in Europe, then there might be other choices locally. For higher value lenses, it is well worth it. The 28mm in the photo seems to be the f3.5 version, which I do not have experience.

Hi @chuck_foreman1, I kinda like the light leak from the Tourist II. It looks almost like an omen from above. And I reckon you enjoy the Anaston f4.5 lens on the Tourist II? It is a very good one.

These are all Diptych from a Fujica Half with Fujinon 28/2.8 lens, manual exposure (meter is dead), Ilford Pan F+, Adox FX-39 II 1+9. Giant wheel of bricks Finite and infinite

From my mini-test of four mini amigos: half frame cameras! These are all Diptych from an Olympus EE-S with D.Zuiko 30/2.8 lens, manual exposure (meter is dead), Ilford Pan F+, Adox FX-39 II 1+9. Heart of a fountain Darker and lighter side of heart Festive lights

A recent trip to Denver Colorado, the mile high city. The light is intense due to the high altitude, and colors are very vibrant too. I used a travel friendly Lomo LC-A compact camera, Fujicolor C200 (Japan) film, Bellini C41 home processed. I suspect my LC-A is under-exposing a bit, which accentuate the color and contrast a bit more. The corner Union Station Reflections Modern street mural Red brick wall

Mini-test of 4 half frame cameras: Fujica Half, Ricoh Auto Half, Canon Dial 35, Olympus Pen EE-S.