jean_moxhet

<p>Don't touch the Vito III!<br>

You can find vintage camera with 35mm lense.<br>

The Voigtlander Prominent is one on them but as beautifully made than with awfull eronomy!<br>

I suggest you to look for a Vitessa T (the last models with changeable lenses, not the fabulous "barndoor" earlier version) with a lens Skoparet 35/3.4. Other possibility, the nice Kodak Retina (rangefinder) IIIS that can be fitted with his nice Curtagon 35/2.8 or the Voigtlander Bessamatic Skoparet 35/3.4 (after little non destructive modification).<br>

Anyway, Ultron lenses are my favorites!!! Both in vintage (Vitessa, Prominent) or actuall (Cosina made for Leica mount) versions!</p>

+1 for "Black Beauty" EF.

That's a fabulous camera!!! Built like a tank, perfect ergonomy, TOP!!! Only one default is that you have to shut it down or the battery will be dead quite soon. On other hand even as old camera she's ok with actual batteries!

Off course F1 (both versions) are great camera with plenty of options... but they are more pricy!

<p>Nice find!<br>

Vitessa L with Ultron lens is my favorite camera. It was also my first serious camera and I keep it with car and love :-)</p>

<p>Both Exa 1b and 1c are really common and cheap on german fleabay. Off course, price is directly be linked to condition and lens and view finder ;-)<br />Remark, while looking for a view finder, usually it's cheaper to buy one mounted on a camera than looking for a solo one ;-)<br>

<br />I have and like very much both of these camera, totaly similar but the metal version (1b) looks older but also feels stronger. They are both fabulous small and light SLR. So small and light that it's ricky to use it mounted on big lens. Perfect for small handed people and also for lefthanded shooter. The shutter release been on the face just up-left (while holding the camera, from the face it's located up-right) of the lens.</p>

<p>I have some lenses (all Schneider: 28, 35, 50 Xenar and 135) but not using them on a Retina Reflex.<br>

I shoot with the fabulous rangefinder that is the Retina IIIs. A fabulous camera and nice kit of lenses!!! All camera and lenses with red round logo are not Leica but can be nice too ;-)<br>

I shoot them also with a Bessamatic M (a great camera too), but of course after the needed small mod of the lens mount...</p>

<p>Just started to build a (double) set Kodak Retina IIIs + Voigtlander Bessamatic ("m" model). Now after modification of the Retina lenses to be usable on the Bessamtic, I have to finish cleaning all of them (Retina: Curtagon 24/4, Curtagon 35/2.8, Xenar 50/2.8, Tele-Xenar 135/4 ; Bessamatic: Skoparex 35/3.4, Color Skopar X 50/2.8, Color Lanthar 50/2.8) .<br>

I still have to finish first rolls but first impression, both camera are fabulous piece of 50's technology same for lenses and accessories. The Retina is really a great rangefinder just shame it's not fitted with same apperture/speed setting as on the Bessamatic.<br>

Regarding lenses, long minimum distance with the Tele-Xenar is quite a pain. And no luck, my Curtagon 35 was accidented but as I had it for free nobody to blame. For sure after some mcgyverism I'll be able to use it but not sure of quality vs perfect exemplar ;-)<br>

Oh, I nearly forget, the Curtagon 28 is a beauty by it self. It can be keept as display object under its clear plastic bubble box on my desk... but not a good solution because I'll spent too much time looking at it ;-)<br>

Waiting to see pics posted here! And waiting to find time for some shooting.</p>

<p>Nice, thanks!<br>

I really like the second flip-flops pic!</p>

<p>You'll love the 15mm... just be carefull to keep your finger out of the wide wide vision of that lens ;-)<br>

My outfit is a grey (beautifull color) R2A with Ultron 35mm f1.7 and a grey (different but also beautifull color) anniversary T with the 15mm. The 90mm f3.5 is mounted on both camera depend of need. Some time, I went out just with the T and a 25mm f4. </p>

<p>First a short intro in way to locate my story on a time line, I was born late 60's. My father was quite active with his camera and dark room. So for shooting the beautifull baby I was ;-) my father bought a new camera, a Icarex 35 while my mother was shooting with a Leica IIIf black dial. During all my childhood, these 2 camera were part of the family. I learned to shoot using them, of course under parents supervision.<br>

No sure but probably around 7, my father gave me his old Adox Polo, what became my first camera but I had to share the light meter with my mom.<br>

And few years later (for sure, I was les than 10), MIRACLE, one of my father's old friend-colleagues, a true camera user, decided that I had to improve my way of shooting with a better camera. And I received one of his old camera... a Voigtlander Vitessa "barn door" set (nearly full option). I was so proud to receive such camera. A camera so strange, so well made!<br>

I shoted with her during years and the Ultron lens gave me some of my best pics ever. Even when I received a Canon AE-1, I kept my Vitessa a live ;-)<br>

Now we are more than 30 year later and both of these camera are still alive. 2 years ago, I claed the Adox Polo and offered her back to my dad (he was more than surprised).<br>

The Vitessa is still one of my favorite camera. The Leica was claed too but is less used because too complex to load, but lenses are used on Bessa bodies.<br>

The AE-1 is far less used because the lenses have new bodies to play with, on my side 2 EF usually mounted with the 50/1.4 and the 85/1.8, and on my father side a F-1N with 100/4 Macro and 80-200/4L.<br>

Anyway, my gratitude to the old man who offered me his old "as been" Vitessa stays strong and will never decrease!</p>

<p>On mine, also, red wwindow is mandatory but for the rest what a camera. I love it!!!<br>

Seriously, it's less bulky than a modern digital SLR, and the result is top quality. On of my favorite camera. I just miss a beter "grip".</p>

<p>Do as Michael said.<br>

And if humidity is condensing, off course stop using the camera and asap place it in a dry and hot area. For exemple, on the dashboard of a car parked under direct sun.<br>

Even with waterproof camera, the problem exist even if, off course less common. But you have to open it for changing battery and memory cards... so no way in tropical humidity to keep humidity out of a camera.<br>

So, ok, you have no budget for another camera, but if you can find a cheap old one, it can be nice. For shooting under awfull weather if you are at that time in a place you know out of possible other visit!<br>

I was really happy to have a old battered but still efficient digital camera while visiting place in Guatemala under HEAVY rain. I shooted nice and memorable pics truying to protect the camera under my rain-cloak. And the most amazing is that the camera survived.</p>

<p>The Nikkorex Auto 35 is a nice camera with good lens. I have one (with add-on wide and tele lenses) that I liked very much... but she died quite recently :-(<br>

The Ricoh 35 Flex is another member of that family of strange fixed lens leaf shuttter "automatic" reflex from early 60s.</p>

<p>Yes... and no ;-)<br>

My Retina IIIs (rangefinder, nice camera) use same lenses as the Retina Reflex. I have the 28, 35 , basic 50 and the 135. Initially I bought all of that in way to use the lenses on my Bessamatic (after little dremel operation) but finaly I use both camera with same pleasure.<br>

I still have to search for a 50 1.9. and for the 35mm Voigtlander.</p>

<p>Vitessa L is my favorite! The Ultron lens is really great.<br>

Strange that your "after" pic is not so sharp...</p>

<p>Beautifull camera.<br>

Same DOF indicator on most lenses for the Voigtlander Bessamatic and Kodak Retina Reflex (including of course the rangefinder Retina IIIs), it's technicaly an interresting feature. And it's really helpfull explaining DOF to newbies ;-)</p>

<p>Don't know that (interresting) camera but you'll find more of here:<br>

http://<a href="http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/voss1.htm">www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/voss1.htm</a></p>

<p>The P6 is a huge and nice beast but basic, lowtech and with its default. The main and most known is frame overlapping... but following correctly method to prevent that (available online on various site) and it's OK.<br>

On the plus side, are the lenses, most of them are top quality!!! The low cost so not too much stress using the camera in quite ruff condition...<br>

A very good adress in europe is: <a href="http://www.baierfoto.de">www.baierfoto.de</a> I'm more than happy with their services and can't imagine use my P6 without their Kiev 60 TTL prism adapted for it.<br>

OK, you can find better MF camera, you'll probably receive plenty of (very good) advices recommanding such or such other (very good) camera but I like my P6 and at my point of view, just the size and weight of the combo (P6+TTL prism+lens, the beautifull 180 is huge but the nice 50 with it's hood a little bit shorter but that hood is WIDE) is a limitation.<br>

Trivia: the russian 2x converter "Arsenal MC Konverter K-6B 2x" is quite nice because the converter optic part can be removed out and the remaining tube is ready to be used for macro!</p>

<p>As Matthew said, your choice is apples vs oranges.<br>

Within the 2 Vito, it's clear that the best is the Vitomatic IIa, a beautifull RF! The CLR is one of the Voigtlander from the 60's with lower build quality and shutter release on the front of the camera... looks nice but far less nice to use.</p>

<p>Repair guys can surly found in Europe!<br>

Anyway, if you decide to send the camera in the us for a CLA, be sure to have all papers and doing correct custom procedures. That in way to prevent you to have to pay import taxes (when teh camera is ent back to you) on the value of the camera. Basicaly but don't know how it works in Ireland, you need to have documents prooving that your camera was initially officialy imported or bought in Europe and that you had sent it for a "temporary exportation" (official term) just for repair. With that the only import taxes you'll have to pay are on the repair not on the value of the camera. <br>

It's important because, if the shipping is made with insurance (as it have to be) the value of the parcel in writed on the shipping paper and normaly taxes are calculated on that value!<br>

So contact your custom office, they are usually very helpfull (in Belgium they are) and explaining everything and sometimes trying to find the best (cheapest) solution for you.</p>

<p>OK, it's not a Leica, it's not a rangefinder...<br>

<a href="http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020114ricohmmount.asp">http://www.dpreview.com/news/1102/11020114ricohmmount.asp</a><br>

But that will be a new possibility to play with our lenses on a digital camera... and as I'm a fan of Ricoh camera (mainly "vintage" but the GRD is nice too), it's interresting.</p>

<p>I have the 25mm (L SnapShot Skopar), a really nice lens and one of my favorite everyday use focal... It seems that the 21mm is better.</p>

<p>I also have the 15mm (1st version L mount) and I LOVE it. What's Nee Sung said is true, even bad shot are dramatic and interresting. The main default of that fabulous lens is that it's hard to shot without having your feet or fingers visible ;-)</p>

<p>Ok such advice is not helping you...but these lenses are so different that you should have both ;-) Anyway, I'm not going with one of my Bessa bodies (L or T), or sometimes with the Leica IIIc (but loading film in her is so clumsy) without these 2 lenses! My wife on her side is mainly shooting with a 35 Ultron on her Bessa R2A.</p>

<p>As seen in these numerous advises, you can find plenty of camera with M42 mount.<br>

I don't have a better one but want to point to 2 interresting and fyn bodies:<br>

a) the EXA 1B (or it's black plastic little brother the 1C). OK, it's basic, without lightmeter...but it's cheap with prism and/or waist-level finder; it's small and light; it's "cute". Some people don't like the shutter release button on the left side; while other likes the shape of the body that fits well in (small) hands. And these little camera have the nice idea to show the DOF with half de pressed shutter button, what means also just before shooting all pics.</p>

<p>b) the Ricoh TLS 401, weight tons, build like a tank, quite similar to plenty of other reflex from that time but with a nice "double finder". The quite big prism combines the classic SLR finder with a switchable waist-level window located just in front of the accesory shoe. a nice gadget for macro or candide shooting ;-) Default: a quite dark finder.</p>

<p>Anyway, have fun within M42 world!!!</p>

<p>Thanks Rick!<br>

Definitively, I have to find one of these Fujica... I hope that my wife is not reading the forum ;-)</p>

<p>Merry Xmas to all of you!<br>

Rick you are the best regarding composition!!!</p>

<p>One again a beautifull presentation form Rick... even if without results...</p>

<p>But, Rick, as I can see from a nice japanese web site, your collection is not complete:<br>

<a href="http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/%7Erd2h-ari/FUJICA_LIST2.htm">http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/%7Erd2h-ari/FUJICA_LIST2.htm</a><br>

Seems you can still look for the "35M" and the "35ML (F2)" ;-)<br>

Any way, these Fujica 35 are nice camera!</p>

<p>PS: for japanses rangefinder and compact camera lover, the same site have presentation of models from other brands:<br>

<a href="http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/%7Erd2h-ari/camera_shoukai.htm">http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/%7Erd2h-ari/camera_shoukai.htm</a></p>