luis_vernon1

<p>Matthew:<br>

Although the contacts and switch mechanism appear to be free of corrosion, it sounds like it could be a simple contact problem with the wiring that governs the slow shutter speed warning light. Another unlikely culprit could be that the previous owner may have done a lot of low light and longtime exposure photography and that the bulb/indicator light is burned out. As long as the exposure is in progress, the yellow light will remain illuminated.</p>

<p>Brad:<br>

Fantastic grab shots! Great job with a vintage 50's Kodak and TMAX400 which is also my B&W film of choice for both travel and portrait photography...I love the stand out quality of the chrome bumpers and trim...<br>

Just got back from Italy...I didn't shoot any B&W and regret not doing so. I was driving around Tuscany and Umbria i.e between Florence and Perugia and now see that the medieval buildings would have been captured beautifully with TMAX 400 or 100..</p>

<p>I recently used a lab in NYC; http://www.photomission.net/<br>

I had a roll of TMAX 400 developed in 35mm format. I was able to get prints, negatives and a CD for $30. Pricey but they did a very good job. </p>

<p>I was able to obtain some px-625 and px-675 mercury cells for my older cameras. I stockpiled about two dozen of them. I keep them in the fridge, taking them out every few weeks just to test camera functions. Except for one or two, all the batteries appear to have close to their nominal voltage.<br /> At some point I realize I will need to start using 1.5 volt alkaline cells, but in the meantime I use my mercury cells with no problem in my Canons, Konica, Yashicas, Minoltas..</p>

<p>I too live in NYC and fondly remember visiting Nikon House at Rockefeller Center back in the 70's and 80's, looking at all the latest Nikon cameras and lenses. As I recall, there was even a camera repair tech on the premises to give Nikons the once over to see if a problem could be solved on the spot..Those were the days...sigh!</p>

<p>I own a 55mm f1.8 EBC which I use mounted to my Ricoh Singlex TLS. The EBC Fujinon are excellent performers, but the non EBC lenses are not slouches by any means!. Additionally, I have a Fuji DL300 point and shoot circa 1987 with a 35mm f2.8 which I suspect is a non EBC formula. I always take the DL300 with me on vacation to Europe, usually France. Excellent sharpness and color saturation!<br /> That being said, you can't go wrong with any of the prime Fujinon lenses, both EBC and non EBC; 50mm f1.4 EBC, 50mm f1.6, 55mm f1.8 EBC, 55mm f1.8, 55mm f2.2. All very good performers.</p>

The Stylus MJUII was discontinued around 2002. An excellent camera!.. However, I find the original MJU-1 to be more desirable. Its 35mm f3.5 3 element lens is quite sharp but more importantly, the MJU-1 fits better in my hands. I was able to obtain a NOS MJU-1 on ebay for $16. I own 3 of these delightful cameras and at least one of them always comes with me on vacation to France..

<p>My Konica C35EF has the 7M on the Sakura foil sticker. Out of curiousity, I will try to find out when my Konica was manufactured. I bought mine at a thrift shop in Red Bank, NJ in August 2000 for $17.50 including the case. I sent it for a CLA at Essex Camera in Carlstadt, NJ and they did an excellent job. Twelve years later, it still work perfectly, although the leatherette covering is starting to separate from the body; a common occurence with older Konicas..I will try to find if there is someone out there who provides replacement leatherette for the C35EF..</p>

<p>I have a Canonet QL19 which I bought in 2006. It was cosmetically perfect but also suffered from the stuck shutter. I had it repaired in 2006 at a cost of $100; a complete CLA. In 2010, it stopped working again, most likely a relapse of the sticky shutter syndrome. I am not sure I want to spend another $100 to fix it. The Canonets of this era are great cameras provided they are working. The lens is fabulous; the 45mm f1.9 is sharp and contrasty. But these older Canonets suffer from mechanical woes. By contrast, I also own a Canonet 28 which I purchased new as N.O.S in 1985. It has been CLA'd twice purely for maintenance purposes, not for repair. It has proven to be the most reliable camera I have ever owned. The 40mm f2.8 is supremely sharp as well. So much so that I think it is better than the Canon 40mm f1.7</p>

<p>I own a Yashica 35MF which I purchased back in 2005 on Ebay. Cosmetically it was perfect and also worked well.. However, I did send it for a CLA (about $50 back in 2005). It has performed beautifully ever since. It has been with me to France on vacation and it does a superb job when loaded with Kodak TMAX 400 film. The 38mm f2.8 is sharp and contrasty. All in all, a very good snapshot camera. The only downside is limited shutter speeds; 1/60 @ f2.8 to 1/250 @ f16</p>

<p>I have a Canonet 28 which I bought new back in 1985; it was left over N.O.S from a now defunct department store ( Alexander's in NYC) Over the past 27 years, I have had it servicec twice in all those years. First time was in of all places...Puebla, Mexico. The repairman did it for me in one day; he did an excellent CLA. The 2nd CLA was in 2002 at Essex Camera Repair in Carlstadt, NJ. This time, the light seals were replaced and viewfinder cleaned as well.<br>

The Canonet 28 is supremely reliable. I have never had any kind of shutter trouble. I stockpiled several PX-625 batteries years ago and every few months put them in my Canonet and fire the shutter in daylight to give shutter and meter a workout.. People swear by the Canonet QL17, but I find the 40mm f2.8 Canonet to be among the sharpest lenses ever made, be it SLR or rangefinder.</p>

<p>I own a Canonet 28 with a 40mm f2.8 as well as an Electro 35MC, also equipped with a 40mm f2.8 Yashinon, 4 element, 4 group lens. The 40mm focal length is supremely useful; it can be used for landscapes and portraits. I'd give the nod in sharpness to the Canonet 28, I haven't used a Canonet QL17 with the 40mm f1.7, but I too have not come away overly impressed with it's performance. I find the Canon f2.8 to be a superb performer, perhaps better than the f1.7</p>

<p>I own a Ricoh Singlex which I had CLA'd last year; the 2nd one in its' lifetime.. I have a 55mm f1.8 EBC Fujinon mounted on it most of the time. I also own a Sigma 39-80 f3.5 zoom which I use for portraits and macro work. The Singlex is a beast; a real workhorse and I love mine!.. I typically use either TMAX 400 for B&W work and Fuji Superia 400 for color prints.. Nothing beats using an vintage 1960's Japanese SLR, especially a well designed, rugged one like the Singlex.</p>

<p>Why ruin a great lens by putting a bad one over it?.. You are better off buying an SLR and buying a super wide angle or fisheye lens for it.<br>

I know of no existing lens of the focal length i.e 18mm and wider as an attachment for the GSN.</p>

<p>I own a Fujinon 55mm f1.8 EBC in absolutely mint condition which I bought on Ebay for $16. Admittedly it was pure luck to find such as excellent lens for almost next to nothing. The 55mm f1.8 EBC is a superb lens; sharp and contrasty. I use the Fujinon lens on my Ricoh Singlex. Fujinons are not as highly rated as Takumars or Zeiss Jena lenses but the Fujinon image quality rates very favorably. I also own a few Fujica rangefinder cameras with fixed lenses and I find their lenses to produce terrific sharpness as well.<br>

Other "sleeper" lenses are the Rikenons; also very sharp, readily available and reasonably priced. In particular, the 50mm Rikenon f2.0 and the f1.7 are excellent prime lenses.</p>

<p>My vote is also a Mercer..possibly a 1913 Type35J Raceabout... very hard to tell by looking at modern restorations of vintage cars...but it surely is related to the Raceabout.</p>

<p>I have a Ricoh Singlex TLS along with 2 lenses; a 55mm f1.8 EBC Fujinon and a Sigma 39-80 f3.5 zoom. The Fujinon EBC is razor sharp at most apertures with great bokeh. The Sigma admittedly is a bit soft at anything larger than f8 but I find that at 80mm, the focal length is supremely useful for portrait work.</p>

<p>Chuck:<br>

This is the link for the Ebay seller..<br>

<a title="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130358978978&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130358978978&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130358978978&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT</a><br>

My case arrived in about 10 days; not bad for an item coming from Asia. The materials are far superior than the materials used in the original Canonet case..<br>

Good luck..</p>

 

<p>Chuck:<br>

This is the link for the Ebay seller..<br>

<a title="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130358978978&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130358978978&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130358978978&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT</a><br>

My case arrived in about 10 days; not bad for an item coming from Asia. The materials are far superior than the materials used in the original Canonet case..<br>

Good luck..</p>

 

<p>Rod:<br />I have owned a Canonet 28 for over 25 years now and it is one of the cameras which accompanies me on my trips to France. The 40mm f2.8 is super sharp; in fact perhaps as good if not better than the 40mm f1.7 on the GIII. Focusing the split image finder is a snap..<br />Recently I was able to obtain on Ebay a replica Canon camera case from a seller in Korea.. The case is actually an upgrade and the fit and finish are quite nice. I was also able to find a vintage 1960's 48mm Canon UV filter in chrome trim. The original cases were made of pressed cardboard with an enamel covering which literally disintegrate over time. The replacement case is actually a very good grade of leatherette/vinyl with a chrome tripod socket built into the case so you don't have to remove the camera from the case to shoot on a tripod.. I use a screw in self timer into the shutter release so I can shoot myself along with others if the need arises..</p>

<p>Kayam:<br />My Canonet 28 has never needed a rangefinder adjustment..I have had mine for 25 years and all I have ever done is replace the light seals as well as clean and lubricate the shutter..If indeed the rangefinder is out of adjustment, it could be a result of some kind of impact/shock that the camera sustained. The 28 is a pretty sturdy camera, so if indeed the rangefinder needs adjustment, have a technician carefully look over the entire camera...you never know if there may be some other problem with it..</p>

<p>Louis:<br>

I am in agreement with you as far as A35F limitations..With a shutter speed range of only 1/60 @ f2.8 to 1/320 @f20,the A35F is limited to being a snaphot camera. I use it mostly for daylight shooting with Fuji Superia 400 in bright sunlight. Fortunately, I stockpiled several mercury PX-625 cells some years ago. I keep them in my refrigerator and periodically use them in my Canonet 28, A35F and Canonet QL19 (1965 version..the beast!) The voltage is still a nominal 1.35 volts therefore I have no need at present for exposure compensation as far as the QL19 is concerned..</p>

<p>I use TMAX 400 more than I used Tri-X, but I am sure you will be able to get Tri-X for many years to come. I just happen to like TMAX a bit more because of its' sharpness and super fine grain for portrait work. I use TMAX exclusively in all my old 35mm rangefinders and it never disappoints..<br>

That said, Tri-X is still an excellent film with great latitude and is also forgiving in the darkroom, unlike TMAX which is finicky, hence it requires patience to get the best from it.</p>

<p>I own a Canonet 28 which I purchased brand new back in 1985 as NOS ( New Old Stock). The 28 probably has one of the sharpest lens for a rangefinder that has ever been produced. ( Ok..here come the death threats!!)<br>

I find it as sharp if not sharper than the GIII 17, which admittedly I have never owned..Along with the Canonet 28, I also own a Canon A35F which also uses the 40mm f2.8, 4 element, 3 group lens. One of Canons' greats!!.. among the finest lenses they ever produced even including their SLR lenses..</p>

 

<p>I own about 25 film cameras; Yashica, Fujica, Leica, Canon, Olympus and Ricoh. Someone gave me an Olympus digital camera about 5 years ago as a Christmas present: It has never been opened.. Suffice it to say, I still use film exclusively. Either TMAX 400 or Tri-X 400 for B&W and Fuji Superia for color prints. Film will be available for years to come hence I will continue shooting with it.</p>