alan_macoustra

Who would not want a Linhof? Just remember, photography cheaper than yachting.

Sailing/yachting is standing under a cold shower tearing up $100 bills!!

<p>On ya Cliff, I`m with you old son. Far too many busybodies & sticky beaks in the world to-day, especially governments, GET the hell out of my life, mined your own business people. It takes two too make a sale, we are all adults, do your own research, find out the average price of the item, if it is within your budget, buy it, if not, find something cheaper. Back too the spies,spooks & nosey parkers, read Helmut Newtons autobiography, he talks about growing up in Nazi Germany and people spying on one another, and escaping to Singapore and then onto Australia, a great read. Cliff you`re still the right side of the grass, old son, enjoy it while it lasts. Here endith the lesson. </p>

<p>Theresa, great shot, what a cutie, hope mum & dad bought a big print.</p>

<p> I have two Nikkormats, the FT, I bought second hand in 1973. It travelled with me on my surfing trips around Australia, on the back of my BMW motorbike around Europe, photographed various bike races, came back to Australia and shot numerous weddings with it. I`d like to say it never missed a beat, but it had a few minor problems, nothing a good CLA couldn`t fix. I even bought another second hand FTN from a mate who preferred his EL, both cameras are still going strong, the FT is currently loaded with some HP5. So what does the Nikkormat offer, just 3 controls, aperture , shutter speed , manual focus and access too some truly great lenses. The only weak point being the meter, they require a 1.3v mercury battery, they can be recalibrated to run on alkaline batteries though. If you don`t mind using a hand held meter or the sunny 16 rule, a couple of rolls of your favourite film and your away, oh and remember they make a terrific anti-mugging device.</p>

<p>Welcome brother, you have now entered the realm of the NIKONISTA. There are special rituals and secret hand movements too be observed, seek out older members for instructions. There is but one path to true enlightenment. The holy Grail being an F2 Titan.</p>

<p>Rapscallion = Rascal , Scamp , Rogue.The Concise Oxford Dictionary definition. Take your pick.</p>

<p>Olympus Trip 35, takes 43.5 filters. There is an English web site specializing in Olympus Trip 35`s. It is Trip Man.co.uk</p>

<p>Oh so true Thomas, made me laugh. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,especially mothers inlaw.</p>

<p>First off Steve, that`s a pretty good head shot portrait. The bloke has one of those lived in kind of faces, fisho, cow cocky, (that`s a farmer in OZ), someone who has spent their life outdoors. As for the lens, again pretty hard to beat at the price, his left eyebrow could be sharper,but how deep are your pockets. You were there and you got the shot,and as HCB once said Sharpness is a Bourgeois Concept,or words to that effect. By the way is that your old station wagon and is it a Ford ? More photos please, and yes I do have the same lens,older pre-AI, and yes it`s a ripper.</p>

<p>I have a 6x9cm Linhof Tecknica,with which I shoot both roll film & 6x9 sheet film. The camera is an engineering master piece, some what heavy & sheet film is difficult to source, for 6x9 format. The 4x5 Tecknica is almost exactly the same, with film & lenses readly available. Yes you can obtain ALMOST the same quality using 35mm, BUT you need excellent lenses a sturdy tripod a cable release & if your slr has mirror lock-up, use it. Then comes the processing, with large format it is a LOT easier to obtain beautiful prints that you fall into. If you can, get a hold of one of Roger Hicks books, he explains in laymans terms the different formats, advantages & diadvantages, lens resolution, circle of confusion, film resolution etc. . You will find, that you will shoot a lot less, but that you will think more about what you are trying to photograph. Jump in the waters fine & very relaxing.</p>

<p>Jeff; try The Yashicaguy.com web site, lots of information, especially about Electro 35. He sells a neat battery adaptor, that will have your electro up and running. They are great little cameras, well maybe not so little, still they take excellent photos, try some Fuji 400 superia, you`ll be amazed at the results ! Enjoy.</p><div></div>

<p>Absolutely NOT. Payment in full, before the wedding. The studio that I worked for some years ago, had a cupboard half full of unpaid for albums, it took months to chase down final payment. A number of times the couples were no longer together, making it even more difficult and costly; read legal fees. If they are bargaining now, imagine what it will be like after the wedding. Refund their deposit and move on, the job will not be worth the aggravation.</p>

<p>mismatched back / insert # can lead to frame spacing errors.</p>

<p>Graham, I just got back from walking the dog this morning, I took my `blad exactly as you describe. 500 C/M, 80mm, WLF, A24, standard screen, old gossen meter, the dog was more of a handfull than the camera. It is a fantastic system, I have a beatti screen, grid lines / split prism, it is indeed much brighter than the standard screen, but I`ve swapped back to the standard screen, to see if it focuses any better and I think it does. Lens wise I have an old 50mm C lens and a 150mm C/F lens, there is difference in the way they operate, plus the C lenes are getting on a bit now. Try and get the C/F lenses if you can, and as some have suggested the 100mm F/3.5 is supposedly the bees knees of Zeiss lenses. Which ever way you go lens wise you will not be disappointed, as for weight, my `blad set up as above is LIGHTER than my F2 motor drive combo. Film backs can be a little tricky to load but once you get the knack of them, they are pretty quick to load, make sure the back insert # matches the back outer #. Pick up a copy of The Hasselblad Compendium, great source of information, explains how to date your camera,back & lenses. As you can see I`m a bit of a fan, I have used 645 Bronicas, nice, quick handeling, but battery dependent, and not as robust as Hasselblads. Mamiyas, I briefly used an RZ67 with their zoom lens, for some studio portraits, very nice, but oh so heavy. Hasselblads have never been cheaper, but word on the street is film is fashionable, old film camera prices are rising, check out the thread in classic manual cameras. Best of luck, they are great cameras.</p>

<p>Fantastic photos Louis. Just shows that you don`t need the latest all singing, all dancing DSLR, too create beautifull images. I like all five images,#2 and 3, are very spooky,#4 and 5 inspired, I`ll have to drag out my F2 and give it a run around the park.</p>

<p>Try cameraquest.com. for information on Linhof Technika 6x9/6x7. I have a 6x9 Linhof Tech 111, from the mid 1950`s which has black leather covering, later ones were tan. Finding sheet film will be difficult, I managed to buy the last stock of FP4 6.5 x 9 (Ilford cat # 1678352) from Ilford Australia. They did make FP4 in 21/4 x 31/4 (cat # 60AFM1C16/2-1), but I think this is no longer available. Check your film holders for size. Are they Graflex or Linhof, Graflex will be of wooden construction, least my 21/4 x 31/4 ones are, Linhof of metal, be sure to check the Linhof ones for light leaks, were the dark slide fits into the flip up ends. As for the dim image on the ground glass, check that you have the bellows extended to the right infinity stop and or the correct rangefinder cam fitted (cam # matches Lens #). Generally the image on the ground glass is fairly dim, unless another screen has been fitted. Great little cameras, giving fantastic negs/trannies, best of luck and enjoy your new toy.</p>

<p>Heidi, what do the Bride & Groom expect ? Do they want an informal coverage ie, photo-journalist style or a more formal style ? The Nikon F will be fine, the 1/60th flash sych. can be a bit of a problem with figity people, so consider taking along a Nikkormat for use with flash, or you could use a Hasselblad, a lot more managable than 4x5. I used Metz 45,402 & 60ct4 flash guns, always two cameras & flashes. Usually one film, Fuji NPH or Kodak Portra 400, maybe a roll or two of CN400 or XP2. For lenses, I mostly used, a 50mm F/2, 85mmF/1.8 and a 24mmF/2.8 for table and wide interior shots, with my Hasselblad I mostly used the 80mm F/2.8 and 150mmF/4. Take a tripod and use it, mum & dad will want a nice 3/4 or full lenght portrait for the bedside table. I operate on the KISS principle, keep it simple sunshine, weddings are stressfull enough, without wondering which camera has what film in it, check and recheck your gear,take plenty of batteries and film, if using a Hasselblad,always wind on before changing lenses. But most importantly, draw up a contract and get paid FIRST, if only too cover your costs, I`ve seen far too many albums sitting on the shelf awaiting payment. Jump in and be prepared for anything, weddings are like a weeks fashion shoot compressed into one day, good luck and keep smiling, no matter what.</p>

<p>Drew, I don`t own a converted polaroid. But going by your post, that you are looking for a portable large rangefinder. Have you considered a Fuji 6x9 rangefinder, have a look at 6x9 online resouces, it be what you are after.</p>

<p>Jeff, this looks like a POD problem to me. Have you notice if the shutter is firing at the slower speeds or at the default 1/500th. Checkout the Yashicaguys web site for repair information, I`ve managed a few simple repairs following his directions, but I`ve not attempted the POD yet. They are great cameras,well worth the small investment in purchase and repair costs.</p>

<p>$59 for a black Nikkormat ! You stole that Patrick. Seriously though, they are great cameras, with a staggering array of lenses available for them. Try and pick up a copy of The Nikkormat Guide from focal press, probably out of print now. There was an English site,www. Oldtimecameraguides.com, or something similar, that was selling reprints, it gives a complete run down on how the camera operates. The meters can be converted to take alkaline batteries, provided the meter ring/rheostat is in working order or use a hand held meter. It will probably need a CLA and the light seals renewed, then just add silver and enjoy. Beware though, they are addictive, you start off on the soft ones then it you want to try the harder F, F2, pretty soon it`s out of your control and your in the bargain bins at camera fairs looking for that obscure accessory or trolling the bay late at night, chasing that particular lens. It`s a long slippery slope, good luck and enjoy the ride. </p>

<p>To paraphrase Stuart R. from above,They are not hard once you learn how to operate them,which pretty much goes for any camera system. What`s not to like? Well the older ones are getting on,500c came out in 1958, 500cm 1970. The change from C type lenses to CF type occurred in 1982, A12 backs 1968, and be aware that most were used professionally, so will probably need a service of some sort. Weight,smeight, my 500c/m, A12 back, 80mm f/2.8, PME prism weighs 1.85kg, my F2/DP11,50mm f/ 1.4, MD2/MB1 combo weighs 2.2kg ! Buy the latest `blad you can(they are cheaper than ever), and enjoy .</p>

<p>I am just about to make the jump into digital, and this thread has cleared up a few questions. So thanks Laura for starting it and all those who answered. Has the D200 proved reliable,any major faults or niggling foilbles ? This maybe the wrong place to ask, but are any film camera flash guns suitable to use with digital ? I have an SB26, Metz CT4 and a couple of CT45s. thanks in advance. Alan.</p>

<p>Dave, just be aware that with the older "C" type lenses, parts may no longer be available. Having said that, one in excellent to mint condition should give years of service. Still I`d try for the later "CF or CB" style, newer mechanics & optics, easier to use, but of course more expensive. Happy hunting.</p>

<p>Dave, you have done an excellent job, they must be well pleased with the photos. Don`t change your style, maybe a bit of fine tuneing, try not too shoot @ less than 1/125th hand held, grab yourself a F/4 150mm for portraits and candids. It puts a bit of distance between you and the couple, isolates them from the background. For fill flash, I used a Metz 60 ct4 two stops less than camera lens setting,(camera F/11,flash F/5.6)you said you had a PME prism, use it , I found the meter to be pretty accurate. Also the Beattie screen with grid lines and split rangefinder, I found to be a great help, but you must get the meter calibrated to it, decent tripod,cable release,lock the mirror up for those extra long exposures, the list goes on and on. Your on your way, keep smiling and watch out for the Mother- Inlaw, Alan.</p>

<p>Eric, the Leica can inspire lust and passion or fear and loathing. I think every photographer should try one at least once, if it works for you great, if not sell it and move on, you will not loose much and be wiser for the experiance. I`ve had my M4-p for 25yrs and love it, I also would like to move into digital, but can not justify it on cost/usage grounds,and as for size/weight comparison, the Leica wins hands down. Compare an M body and 3 lenses with say a 5D or D700 and equivilant zoom lens. For contemporary photographers using Leica cameras look no further than Sebastiao Salgado and his excellent book Workers. Like I said they are not for everyone but if you click with it, be warned they are addictive, to paraphrase Neil Young, see the Leica and the damage done.</p>