steve_levine

<p>Check this link :</p>

<p>http://www.destoutz.ch/lens_50mm_f1.8_4121878.html</p>

<p>Brings back memories. I worked in camera retail (dept store) , in the mid-1970's.<br /> I do remember playing with the Miranda Sensorex and that way cool, removable prism.</p>

<p>That's an easy one. Ansel Adams: "The Print", The Camera" and "The Negative". These three volumes equal everything one needs to master (film) photography. They are also insightful to the digital photographer, as many concepts apply between the two schools.</p>

<p>Some of the old Spectra and Sekonic meters read directly into FC (foot candles).</p>

<p>The picture got lost in cyber space.</p><div></div>

<p>This cameras sees regular use. Without a meter or any battery, I'd have to say it's pretty non-digital. The camera was made in 1966, the lens in 1972.</p>

<p>In 1963 I was 9, and the family KODAK was the ubiquitous "Brownie Hawkeye". The difficulty loading the 620 rolls, severely limit our use of it too.<br>

Something that didn't go unnoticed by "big yellow". I'm sure the collective shot counts per year went up ten fold once the Instamatic's took over?<br>

The 126 cartridge was a revelation. It changed everything. Not to mention the smaller sized format, required less silver per roll. Kodak had the world by the it's photographic a$$. But it wasn't forever.</p>

 

<p>All of the cameras you mention are compatible with all Nikon mount AF lenses. There are later cameras like the D40,D3000,D5000 that will only use the newer AF lenses. Is the little slot in the back of the lens moving? This is where it interfaces with the body.</p>

<p>I give up speculating on my own. Is a DRF camera, too limited a market to mass produce and sell? From all I've ever read, the RD 1 was a great shooting camera. These were made for 4 years, with production stopping in 2007.<br>

I kept waiting for a followup camera. Much to my surprise none followed. Of course used M8's are now around $2K. So maybe there isn't a market?</p>

 

<p>Try here:</p>

<p>http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Praktica_super_TL_2</p>

<p align="left"><strong>The master's own words:<br /></strong></p>

<p align="left"><strong> </strong></p>

<p align="left"><strong>"" HOOD:</strong></p>

<p align="left">I've never unwrapped mine. Hoods are an obsolete throwback to simpler times."""</p>

<p>I've used a four drawer file cabinet for years. This is virtually free of dust, at least the kind that accumulates on cameras on shelves. I also have several canvas type camera bags, these work good as well.</p>

<p>I knew KR was completely wrong about everything , when he suggested that lens hoods were un-necessary.</p>

<p>I'd have to agree that it looks like a M645 Pro. These were excellent machines for wedding work. The power drive automatically cocks the leaf shuttered lenses. The only downside for this camera and drive combo is how loud they are.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Back in the pre-internet days, I couldn't wait to pour over the latest "SHUTTERBUG". All that used gear in one place made me salivate.</p>

<p>I'd look at the processing as a more likely culprit, than bad film. Unless of course you used out of date film ? Or your film became fogged by heat,radiation etc. Also your shutter could be way off speed.</p>

<p>The last Agfa I bought was a Speed X folder , at a flea market. the price was $8.</p>

<p>My camera count isn't so high. Probably between 50 and 100.<br>

But after 30 years of commercial and wedding work, and 40 some odd years of hobby shooting , my "shot" count is.<br>

Conservative estimate I've probably heard close to a million "clicks".</p>

<p>Those old triplets are very capable from F8 down. Enjoy your find. I have some old AGFA folders with Apotar triplets, and they're great at F11.</p>

<p>Too bad I'm across the pond. The Praktica's are nice old cameras. Thank you for continuing the generosity of this forum !</p>

<p>I need to move to NZ and beat you to these bargains! Your camera skills are only bested by your acquisition skills. I shot a P67 for years, having the 55,90 and the 165 as my basic kit. I was never disappointed seeing those 6x7 chromes pop on a light table.Enjoy the "beast".</p>

<p>Spira was truly the "Henry Ford" of photo marketing. His company sold a vast array of helpful products; that made what was in those days, a technically challenging hobby. Easier for the everyman. Just his darkroom gadgets alone made him a genius in my humble opinion.</p>

<p>His affordable shooting gadgets, from copy stands,lenses, bellows etc. Really filled a serious niche in the 50-70's.</p>

<p>That big store in queens was the first photo department store too. And who didn't love pouring over his ads in the photo magazines?</p>

<p>As always a great piece JDM!</p>

<p>They actually took us through a day-lit area, to show the emulsion coating machines. The "many feet wide", rolls of film were coated at high speed in similar areas. Like a massive printing web that put down multiple emulsion and filtering layers, all 1/10th the thickness of human hair. And in the dark !</p>

<p>The quality control dept. destroyed every 100th roll off the production line for testing. This allowed instantly isolating any anomalies. This is why no one ever got a "bad" roll of KODAK film.<br /> The paper mill as I recall used a million gallons of water out of the nearby Genesee river. Even those ubiquitous gray/black, plastic film "cans" were made in those injection molding plants. As well as all the chemical bottles that things like "stop bath" and liquid developers came in.<br /> They had a fleet of trucks that never left the property, 300 bldgs, and their own railroad!</p>

<p>I remember inadvertently asking how something proprietary was done. Their stock answer was "it's magic".<br /> And it truly was !</p>

<p>Thanks for helping them do such an amazing job Ron!</p>

<p>As a kid visiting family in Rochester c 1970's. I recall vividly the tour at "Kodak Park" on State St. The technology amazed my 15 year old brain.</p>

<p>In the 70's these were more or less semi-educational sales pitches for their gear. I took one in NYC and enjoyed myself, but not sure how much I learned? I did get to handle and shoot with some very exotic gear. Lenses like the 8mm fisheye, and the 500/F8 mirror were like holy grails at that time.<br>

I also got to hold an F2 with motor driven 250 exposure back. This weighed a bit less than a rhinoceros, but was an amazing piece of machinery. </p>