abraxsis

<p>Tim, thanks for info. I was surprised when I clicked the link that they were actually discussing this thread! lol. My Japan buyer fell through due to a unforeseen illness of one of his family members which required some expensive travel. However, he did mention that his initial offering might have been a little over what the item was worth. In hindsight, I think he made a large offer to hold the lens, then opted out. Either way, I have listed the item on eBay for a BIN of 1000.00 USD and an entry bid of 800. I have very little in this item beyond having it completely gone over by my camera guy, so sitting on it shouldn't be a huge issue. If anyone would like to look, just search ebay for the lens name as I just don't like to post links that are self-serving.</p>

<p>Lynn, this is an interesting hypothesis and might explain why I currently have a $2400.00 offer on the lens from a person in Japan. If the lens is actually of a Leica origin it could also explain the rarity. I will say the glass seems to be superb! I might just wait and see if anyone else is willing to offer more.</p>

<p>Here is a photo of the markings.<br>

Also, this is taken from a Minolta Lens Chronology site<br>

15 May, 1959<br>

- Tele Rokkor-QF 250/4 [6/4] (ø77mm) 3m f/22 82x230mm 1.400g<br>

A very rare low-production lens, it falls in between 200 and 300 mm, so it was quickly replaced by those lenses. This is a very large and heavy lens, with a pre-set diaphragm. All lenses over 200mm, until the rubber grip series of late 1972, have the focal length inscribed in centimetres. Thus this lens is 25cm, the 300/4,5 is 30cm, the 1.000/6,3 mirror is 100cm, and so on.</p><div></div>

<p>I have recently come across what I believe to be an unbelievably rare find. I have in my possession a Minolta Tele Rokkor-QF 25cm f/4 lens, yes f/4 not 5.6. (It is marked 25cm, not 250mm) From what little I have found it seems to be a VERY rare, limited production lens and likely made prior to 1960, however I can find nothing else but that. I had my camera guy look it over and he rated the external condition an A- with the glass being perfect. However, he couldn't give me a value, he just told me to be careful in selling it and not to take the first offer.<br>

Does anyone here have any information on this lens? Maybe even a possible value? Anything would be hugely appreciated! Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>I have an XL Giotto Rocket Blower and keep it stored inside a zip lock bag. The last time I used the rocket it spread dust ALL OVER my sensor, so much in fact I was forced to order a liquid cleaning solution. My questions is this ... is there a way to clean the rocket? I have about 4 specks of dust on my sensor, both relatively large, and Im leery of using the rocket on it again. Any advice or ideas?</p>

I just got ahold of a KARAT 36 today as well. Condition whise it is in perfect shape. Mechanically, there is teh dreaded focus ring sticking problem, plus the shutter seems to be stuck in the open position. Everything else on the camera is flawless, in fact I dont think I have ever seen a more pristine lens on a camera of its age.

I know the lighter fluid trick for the focus ring, but do i need to loosen up the shutter blades as well? I this something I could do? I just have my Autocord CLA'd. so Id really like to hold off dropping 70.00 on this camera if I can do it myself. Any suggestions?

I might get flamed for saying this, but my local Walmart photo center ordered in the canisters needed to develop 120 in their in house machines. As far as I know they did this just for me. It also helps that I know the guy behind the counter, and I know he has experience with 120. Even shipping it off for developing via the Walmart Fuji people is usually 2.00/roll of 12 and they take care to protect your negatives. Then I scan in what I want and then store the negatives. There are always methods to get around the high costs of Pro labs.

After doing some more reading, I have another quick question. I do alot of nature shots outside, in this instance I think a Spot meter would be a better choice. Hopefully that Spot Meter on the classifieds page (thanks Paul RON) will be around when I recharge the bank account this week.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. All good suggestions. I like the look of the Autometer III personally, as well as the Gossen stuff. Ill keep an eye out for those. Thanks again.

I am in need of a lightmeter. Ive been spending alot of cash lately between my

Holga, Minolta Autocord (having it repaired/CLA'd), tripod, film, Canon 8600F

scanner (which is amazing I might add, evnough the thing is HUGE) etc. But I

need a light meter. I have found that my shots are sometimes way overexposed. I

know I need more practice, and I can guess the exposure correctly about 75% of

the time. But it always seems that that 25% I screw up on is my best composition

and I lose it to over/under exposure. So given my recent expenditures (and my

saving for a dSLR) can someone point me in the direction of a generally

inexpensive light meter? Used is fine, but it seems like all the main sites

(KEH, B&H, Adorama) are all 75.00 or more. Am I kidding myself on finding a

decent one cheaper than this? If I am I can spend it (Ill save that much in film

costs, lol) Id just like to avoid it if possible. Thanks in advance.

 

W.

Well the shutter is def. screwed. The aperture blades just turn in an open circle when I move through the settings. I think the whole shutter assembly is screwed. I dont know what in the world happened, probably just bad luck, its been known to happen. Karl said 55.00 to replace the shutter assembly, so its not too bad. But like I said, everything on the camera is pristine. The reflecting mirror is a little spotted up but not enough to hurt anything. (I have a friend who's dad makes custom mirrors for houses, so I think he can replace it with a higher quality mirror) I also found a site that showed me how clean all the lens myself, took me maybe 10 minutes, so now the optics are perfect. I also ordered a leather set for it (Maroon, should make for an awesome looking camera) With everything as it is, I should be out maybe 150.00 for my Autocord and it be in darn near perfect shape. I figure the red leather should allow it to fetch a few more dollars in the event I sell it later on down the road.

So my camera came in, and it was in excellen condition. Everything worked, just needed a

little cleanup. Focus worked fantastic. Then when I swung by to show it to my mom disaster

struck. The aperture leaves wont move and the shutter wont fire, I honestly dont know what

happened. The seller wont take it back because it worked when she mailed it, it was insured

but I dont know if i was soehting USPS did or not. I contacted Karl Bryan regarding a repair,

but Im betting its going to cost a nice chunk of change. Didnt even get to run a single roll of

film through it.

 

Thats what I get for getting excited.

Might seem like a sily question, but could someone give me the dimensions for the Autocord?

Just the normal WxHxD.

 

Walt

Hi Again,

 

Thanks for the responses. Someone else asked alot of these questions and the seller

posted the reponses to the auction ...

 

NO SCRATCHES [on the lenses] THAT I SEE. NOT FAMILIAR W SEPERATION IN LENSES. I

THINK I SEE ONE SPOT OF FUNGUS W SHUTTER ON B. NO OIL ANYWHERE THAT I KNOW OF.

[shutter] BLADES OPEN & CLOSE OK. I SEE NO SCRATCHES OR CRACKS IN THE FILM

CHAMBER. FOCUS MECHANISM IS VERY SMOOTH [jackpot :P]. THIS CAMERA HAS NOT BEEN

USED SINCE THE LATE '70'S.

 

According to the listing this was a direct from manufacturer (or a direct import) purchase,

and has been a one owner camera. Im still dumbfounded that I got this camera for 72.10.

It has leather case, a tripod adapter, original manual, and a Vivitar 102 flash. I just noticed

that it is an Andale auction and they remove picture links shortly after the auction ends, so

you guys can't see it. But it truly is in amazing condition. Ive seen other camera only

auctions for the same item go for double that. I wonder if it was because she listed it in

the 35mm > Minolta category instead of the Medium Format/120 > Minolta?

 

Again, hanks to those who have posted, and thanks in advance to those who will post. I

appreciate all the help, advice, and knowledge I can get.

 

Walt

Hello Everyone,

 

Im new to the forum, and relativly new to the world of photography. I started with a nice Canon P&S about

a year ago and over and over I was taking what I felt to be pretty darn good pictures. After a few day long

jaunts around the area with my camera I was hooked. I am captivated by the thought of being able to

freeze a moment in time, though not only freeze it, but freeze it in a cocoon of creativity, a unique vision.

I have always leaned toward artistic photography, the whole "art for art's sake" mentality. So thats a little

background about me. OK, sorry to bore you with the banter.

 

I stepped into the world of MF via a Holga 120CFN, and again I was hooked. Vibrant colors, breathing

taking contrast, and personally there is just something uplifting about stepping outside of our current

world of Digitial perfection. So naturally the next logical step (in my mind) is a TLR, and after much

searching and researching, I settled on trying for an Minolta Autocord. Actually I won one yesterday for

72.10 on eBay (still up if youd like to look http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270093192896&rd=1&rd=1 )

and I feel I got a good deal. The camera looks to be in excellent shape for its age, and I am considering

sending it off for a CLA once it comes in. My question is this, other than debris, light leaks, etc. in the

pictures, is there anything in particular I should look for once I get it? I would love to just dust it out

instead of having to send it off, but Im not completely up to speed on all the ins and outs of TLR's. Any

suggestions? Also, if I did enough research and read all the repair manuals would it be possible for me to

do my own CLA on this item without special gear? I am very mechanically inclined so its just a natural

instinct to want to try and do stuff myself, lol

 

Thanks,

Walt