rose_duclos

<p>Ah James, then this will win you to my lovely iiia. :)<br>

copied from Henry's email from when he was working on the overhaul: "I am far along in the reassembly of your camera and see nothing in it that requires anything in the way of replacement parts. Its shutter is very good and the light meter is extremely accurate." <br>

The camera was in pretty good shape - it was the lenses that needed significant work.</p>

<p>She's a joy to shoot. Yes, she takes getting used to - but I find that I really enjoy that focus wheel. Holding the lens - to rotate it, isn't as comfortable. Rotating the Diaphram - also not as comfortable. But, that little turn wheel for focusing - it makes sense - the right hand is perfectly comfortable with the finger on that wheel, and then raised to take the shot. <br>

Do I miss the film advance lever? ... the rotating wheel is a strange feature that takes getting used to. change the shutter speed, and instead half crank the film... it's very easy to start that wind process and not realize you're doing it.<br>

I'm enjoying the camera quite a bit. It's so pretty. <br>

I don't wear a funny hat. :) And I am shy so I don't keep my camera in hand unless I'm aiming to shoot it. <br>

If someone looked at me funny ... I guess I'm glad I stay away from crowds. In a crowd, I'm not inclined to use a camera - I'm to busy getting out of town. :)</p>

 

<p>there's something to love about the old classics though. Whether it's a contax or a old mamiya or hasselblad ... there's something precious about holding a peice of history that still works, in one's hands - and slowing down to use it. <br>

I have several old cameras, and I am not one to use them regularly - but after getting my contax back from the overhaul - I want to! ...<br>

It's time for me to take the Vitessa T, and the Leica M2 out of the drawer and appreciate that these cameras still are quite capable to take good photos (if only I can relearn how to use them). I'd become so used to letting my cellphone camera do all my thinking for me. I'd forgotten all the steps to doing it all 'old-school'. :)<br>

I'm looking forward to seeing that first roll.</p>

 

<p>Ken, All beautiful things are female, or female wanna'bes. :)<br>

Hence, a camera, a flower, a beautifully crafted sports-car? ... all girls. </p>

 

<p>I've been slowly using my camera, at this rate, that roll of 24 will take me a week to get through, but I do intend to take a walk this weekend and try out the camera on some of the now blooming gardens around my neighborhood. <br>

The Leica vs Contax question - I have to say I really am loving the feel of the contax - and yes! the sound of the shutter - what an amazing, soft and quick swoosh! Modern DSLRs, may all be technically advanced and 'easy' - but they hold nothing to the engineering bravo! that these contax have in those simple rectangles of metal. <br>

A few years ago, I bought a used M2, and I'd bought a few voigtlander lenses to go with it, and a Elmar 90mm. Have I used it more than for a few pictures? no. why? there's too much effort to connect the voigtlander light meter (is part of it) ... it's not just one simple box of a camera as the contax iiia is. Could I learn to love it? ... sure. But, it doesn't slide so easily into a little pouch in my bag. when you add an attached this, or that - and, that just makes me think that it's complicated - not to shoot it, but to carry it.<br>

I may have to bring them both out walking though and do a comparison study. But, in this immediate future - I'm very happy to just have the one in hand. :)</p>

<p> </p>

<p>and here's the camera...</p><div></div>

<p>I've owned this one for a while; but couldn't use it because it needed some major work (the focus wheel was very hard to turn). So, I got myself on the wait list and finally a few months ago, I got a message from Henry Scherer that he was ready to work on my camera/lenses. <br>

She just came back yesterday. Last night, I put in a roll of Kodak gold 100, just to see how she'd take film after so many years without it.<br>

And today, I have her in my bag, and I'm shooting film for a first time in a long time. Amazing how beautiful and yet small these old range-finders can be. Yes, she's heavy - but, she fits well in my purse, I slid her into a small, never used make-up bag, so that she wouldn't collect any dust from being in my purse. (goodness only knows what's left over from being carried in there - My purse is a collector of misc - everything from old reciepts to shoes, or yogurt... )<br>

The first few pictures, it's a learning process to shoot such old school cameras. I have other rangefinders that I've not used in a while - I know how the process works - but slowing down. Remembering to change the dial for slowing the shutter, and watching the needle of the light meter, trying to center it... It's sure not as simple as using my cell-phone. And learning how to focus is a challenge in itself, rangefinders aren't easy. She sure is beautiful though. I hope I will develop a habit of carrying her, so that I can continue this learning process. develop an appreciation that photography can be easy and digital - but these classics of metal and good german glass - that puts the 'class' in 'classic. :)</p>

<p> </p>

<p>This thread is reminding me of the cameras I've not touched in a really long while. I'm sorry I've been ignoring my Vitessa T after seeing all those lovely pics. <br>

I have the 3 lens package - I'd bought it about 4 years ago on ebay and it $300 seemed like a bargain. </p>

<p>I am looking forward to using my contax IIIa for a first time. I'd bought it over 3 years ago, and it was stiff to focus. So, I put myself on Henry's waitlist. <br>

He's finishing working on it today. It was an expensive but I'm sure well worthy process. He fixed 2 lenses, and did the full refurb process on the camera to make sure it was all working correctly. After an $885 fix-it fee, this is the most I've spent on a single classic camera. I'm hoping that she'll be a joy to shoot. <br>

I also have an M2, and I don't think there's a comparison when it comes to holding them. And if it were? - I'm thinking that the contax would win. But, cameras are supposed to be judged on the quality of images - and not just the feel in the hand - so I'm looking forward to seeing what the first images will decide. <br>

I guess I'll keep you posted.</p>

<div></div>

<p>Beautiful cats, and very well done. :) Purrfect christmas presents. :)</p>

<p>I believe Javier's traveling spottie took a year for her journey. & He too had to ask around for her whereabouts. -so I was expecting that it would take a bit before Id see my schneider again. still I was surprised how few pictures or commentary has been posted about it.<br>

@RT ... you're right. Javier had pics showing of his camera in almost every home she visited (whooH bad grammar there!). My poor schnieder doesnt have even a quarter of the fanfare... as if she's a poor relative who isnt well like and has outstayed her welcome. Definitely NOT an expected analogy to use on the schneider 135 m42 mount...</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I know that I received an email months ago that it was in CA and enroute to another trip ... but havent heard anything since... is it still on the move? Hin ... no negativity please. I havent been around to keep track of its wanderings. Or to keep peaple moving it around with a reasonable schedule. Im sure we can figure out where it has gotten to.<br>

Yes Justin, she's a sweet peice of glass for an old timer.</p>

<p>It's been over a year since I've seen the lens and adapter... where have they gone? When will they come home?</p>

<p>Pentax has a lot of beautiful AF offerings ... and Sigma and Tamron has a few too. IT all depends on how much you wish to spend (buying budget lenses sure does add some limitations) and whether you want to buy a prime lens or a zoom.)<br>

I bought a Sigma APO 75-300 zoom for less than $150 (over a year ago). It's a very nice lens that offers some macro capability. It's a bit heavy - and plastic feeling - but not bad. :)<br>

For primes - Pentax has a 300mm ... which shoots like a dream - ie. some great shots were posted online here - I don't own one yet. Pricey - but, well worth it if you have a heavy wallet with nothing else to empty it on. :) (yeah - that's my dream ... to have a heavy wallet and absolutely nothing to spend it on.... :D) ... could this ever happen?</p>

<p>And there are even bigger lenses out there - heavy monster beast lenses that will require big shoulders, a tripod, or shear courage to carry around... the sigma 50 - 500? ... I don't have one - but if you look around ... there's some decent reviews of it.<br>

Welcome to the forum Michael (who I'm unsure if I should call him? her? Michelle?) The last post was a bit confusing... pink braces?</p>

<p>Roger R. I totally agree - I LOVE Dr. Who. - I grew up on the old stuff - broadcast by the local PBS every night at 7 ... and now - the only way to watch the new stuff seems to be to buy it on DVD ... such a shame that we can't seem to get great British sci-fi over here ... </p>

 

<p>well... until maria says otherwise it should be with her... she's probably going to give us the turkey dinner shot that will keep us all drooling. ;)</p>

<p>Maria ... there you go... the schneider should be heading your way... (antoni wrote of it in the thread below this one)... 2 ships crossing n the night... maybe you can take off the adapter for one of those pictures and use it on an old fashion pentax as it was origininally designed.</p>

 

<p>well... if it's in the kitchen... you could mix food with children ... perhaps one with the girls feeding lil bro.<br>

or there's folliage ...<br>

or you could wait a little to get matt in his first round of snow shovelling. last year's image that you posted of his suffering thru that... well us new enganders got a chuckle... he sure did look miserable.<br>

or maybe a pic of the turkey to commemorate Thanksgiving...</p>

 

<p>Yes... I'm alive, without a decent internet connection I've turned a bit reflective... like those shiny plate thing-a-mu-jiggums that connect to bicycle tires... <br>

(I'm sure they're not really called shiny plate whatzits... but, I'm not really up on the appropriate lingo for sports equipment... )</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Ok, I know I've been lapse posting recently. my online access has become really limited of late.<br />So I've begun wondering... I know that the lens went to RT, and he mailed it... has Antonii moved it further down the list ... where has that lens gotten to, and where are the pictures to show off its travels? :)</p>

<p>HOLD ON! ... Hin, you are becoming the dreamer again - stop it! <br>

I just reread that blog that you wrote 'forever' ago - and it said that this Prakticar zoom was a beast to focus...<br>

So, the fact that you have good memories of it is one thing - sentimental value and all that - but, don't get so nostalgic over anything that you forget that it's a lens, not a piece of jewelry. If it's a chore to use it well - it's not worth taking up drawer space.<br>

I can understand how you have good feelings for the schneider however - quality prime it is. - Zooms don't have that kind of staying power that the prime lenses do.</p>

 

<p>Oh Hin, <br />The lens is very well treated, and yes, while I do tend to reach for the CZ first, I too realize that the schneider lens is made well, and is quite a good performer.<br />That being said :) - eventually, the glass shall make a route toward the west coast as part of the travelling M42 series. If you would like to have the lens end it's western trip over there, I'm sure that Mike H? or Javier would be perfectly happy to send the lens to you before it heads on its return route east.<br />And since I'm very laissez faire on the when's and such - you could always use the lens for a month or three before sending it back my way... I do miss my pentax adapter though... <br />that's one thing I do need to add to my shopping list soon... The new K glass just isn't the same as playing with my old Taks (and the like...) <br />*I admit it - It's the touching history that makes me love my old lenses...*</p>

<p>It's stregnth is definitely showing more in the outdoor shots. I love all the boating pictures. Goodness - perfect time of the year to go hang out, sea-side. The pinks in that sunset are quite something else. There must have been rain the next day... usually, pink and purple is a sign of more rain on the way...</p>

 

<p>Goodness! I am wondering what buglight would look like - lit up at night. What a beautiful little lighthouse! <br />If that place is close to you - it may require you to visit with tripod, cable release, and do a little practice of slow exposure. :) Most especially if the weather permits, and sets up some decent clouds, with a few stars sparkling through...</p>