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kevin_dixey2

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Posts posted by kevin_dixey2

    mirror mirror on the wall...

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Tim, what I find I like about the C35 is that it pretty much a point and shoot( except for the manual focus) While I like making my own decisions about exposure I find that I sometimes I just want to just concentrate on the image and let the camera do the rest. The small size of the C35 makes it easy to have with you (I just drop it in my bag). It is remarkable easy to use, has a sharp little lens and the meter and auto exposure seems pretty good. What's not to like. If you haven't used your yet I suggest loading some Tri-X in it and see what happens.</p>

    Pentax MX or Olympus OM-1

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>I think it really comes down to personal preferences. They are both excellent cameras with good quality optics. I think you really need to go handle each one (I'm certain you can find a used version of each somewhere) and see what you think. No matter what we say it will come down to what you prefer. Each of us is going to have a different perspective on what we like but I think is very hard to say that one of these cameras is empirically better than the other (with all due respect to Will).</p>

    <p>Here's an example of what I mean. Years ago I bought a Canon AE1P with a lovely 50/1.4 lens without ever handling one and I can't stand it. There is nothing specifically wrong with it. The optics are nice and sharp and the camera is in stunning condition yet, I just hate the darned thing. It just never feels right in my hand and there is something about the way it operates that just bugs me. </p>

    <p>You really need to handle each camera and see which YOU prefer.</p>

    mirror mirror on the wall...

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>It's funny but everyone responds differently to these cameras. I know a few friends that are absolutely bonkers about their Canonet QL17 GIIIs. I have had two of them (both in mint condition) and when I sold them I didn't think twice about it. Never missd them and will likely never buy another one. It wasn't even that they didn't take good pictures (they did) I just found that I never even thought of using them. What surprised me so much about the Konica C35 is that I thought <strong>"this is interesting but there is no way I'll prefer a little auto everything camera to something like my S3 or my OM bodies"</strong>. Right now its the leading contender to take on my trip to Europe in Spring. Go figure.</p>

    <p>I'm sure part of it is the teeny size, but there is something more that I can't quite put a finger on. For some reason I just find it REALLY fun to use.</p>

     

    mirror mirror on the wall...

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>...who's the bestest camera of all? Over the past few months I have been collecting, refurbing (when I can) and trying to test out various little fixed lens RF cameras (and occasional SLR). What has come as a complete surprise to me is which ones I have found that I really like and which ones I find I can live without.</p>

    <p>First off, the biggest shock was a little Konica C35 Automatic that I cobbled together out of a beater and a long neglected but little used one. I ended up with a really nice little camera with a very clear RF (and now new seals) and much to my surprise is REALLY fun to use. I never though I would find the C35 to be so much of a blast. For one I tend to like larger bodied cameras and I find myself grabbing for the little C35 more often than not.</p>

    <p>I also have a Auto S3 that after a rocky start I have grown to love. I still think the VF is a bit small but I forced myself to take it out to play and the more I did the more I realized it's a pretty cool camera for available light shooting. I gotta figure out which ZA cell to use because those darned Wein cells are EXPENSIVE (same with the C35).</p>

    <p>I have always been a fan of the Konica Auto S2 but I ended up with a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 that is really pushing me to rethink the Konica as my favorite large bodied fixed lens RF. The Minolta has got a great VF, it's easy to use, really nicely made and the lens produces nice sharp images. I have a few roles of each ready to develop and I'm going to do some side by side and see how that comes out. Quite by accident I ended up with 3 mint 7s cameras and a 9. I gave one 7s to my little boy am keeping the 9 and the other two are headed for adoption. I keep thinking about keeping the best of the 7s cameras on the strength of my experience with the 9 but I think I can survive without it.</p>

    <p>I have a gorgeous Yashica GS that I really have been trying to like. I know I SHOULD like it. Each time I look at it I think "hey I really should like you" but alas, I do not. I don't know why and I know that I am going to get a flood of people telling me what a great lens it has and what a great camera it is...I know, I know...I just don't love it. I feel like telling the camera "It's not your fault, It's me". It pains me to say it, but the Yashica has turned out to be a sister kiss.</p>

    <p>Finally, I have an absolutely gorgeous Canon AE1P that is so clean you's think it was never used. The viewfinder is spotless (and I am not making that up, its so clean it's eerie). I have a beautiful 50/1.4 and a 135/2.8 and I could not like that camera less if I tried. </p>

    <p>Did I mention how much I like that Konica C35? </p>

    cameras you own but have yet to use.

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Holy smoke...I thought I was bad until I got a load of some of these lists. Let's see now, I have a Konica TC (although in all fairness its not working), Hi-Matic E, Hi-Matic 7s, Yashica GSN and Oympus XA. I do have film loaded in and partialy shot in a Konica C35, Auto S3, Auto S2, Hi-Matic 9 and an Olympus OM2n right now so I am getting around to it.</p>

    <p>BTW Sam, if you ever feel the need to get rid of some guilt and relieve yourself of the "burden" of that Minolta XE5 just let me know. I'm just up in Bellingham. I can pop down in a mere 90 minutes and you'll be feeling guilt free in no time ;).</p>

    Clean a focus screen in A Konica TC

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>I don't mind trying to DIY but so far I haven't come up with a decent set of instructions (I'lll keep looking though). I hesitate to send it Greg weber to fix because it only cost me $25 and I don't plan to want to spend $100 to fix a $25 camera. I think because the TC isn't a camera I am even certain I will keep. If it were my OM body I would definitely pay to fix it bit the TC is another matter entirely. I think I may just pop for a better Konica body when I can and be done with it.</p>

    Clean a focus screen in A Konica TC

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Dang...I need to run spell check next time. Let's try this again.</p>

    <p>I have a beater (yes it is smelly) Konica TC that has a very dirty focus screen. I have tried to clean it with a small brush but the camera spent many years in a working garage so it is pretty gritty in there. Any sugestions how to clean/replace it? I bought a second TC (I bought it to get a lovely little Konica C35 and it was included) that has wrinkled shutter and the mirror stuck in the up position. That screen looks a bit better. Any suggestions that do not involve buying third one? I have a nice clean 50/1.7 and possibly a 40/1.8 and I'd like to use them both. I've been looking on this site and the web and I haven't come across anything so far.</p>

    <p> </p>

    What camera are you "focusing" on now (pun intended)?

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>Tom, welcome to the OM cult. First one or one of many?</p>

    <blockquote>

    <p>Well, I too am trying out my "new" OM-1. It is hard to put this camera down. I just love the look and feel of it. I also purchased a 35-70 f/3.5-4.8 zoom, and 200mm f/4 from KEH</p>

     

    </blockquote>

    <p>I had that 200 f/4 an used on a Olympus digital body. Nice lens. Too bad I sold it. That was before I bought my first OM. Too bad the Olympus digital bodies don't come close to the the OMs in design. Dang, now I wish I still had that thing.</p>

    In search of a compact rangefinder

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>It depends on what you are looking for. Do you want them to be fully automatic (except of course for focus) or do you want some manual control? There are a number of nice 70's fixed lens RF cameras to choose from and the link to cameraquest.com is good if you want to see what is available although he does leave out a few that are worth considering as well.</p>

    <p>I have a number both large and small RF cameras and if I had to pick my favorite small one it would be the Olympus RC or the Konica Auto S3 with the Konica C35 not far behind.</p>

    <p>Something to consider is that the smaller RF cameras are more expensive than the larger ones. For instance a Minolta 7sII can fetch nearly $200 on auction in good shape. In comparison, I just bought a pristine Minota Hi-Matic 9 (large bodied but has full manual and a terrific 45mm/1.7 Rokkor lens for $18. Also I find that the viewfinders in the larger bodied cameras are nicer and the controls easier to work with but that is just a personal preference.</p>

    <p> </p>

    Yashica CLA in Seattle

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <p>I've used <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=camera+repair+in+seattle&fb=1&gl=us&hq=camera+repair&hnear=seattle&view=text&ei=OAVbS9ONNZPiswPhvJGPAw&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQtwMwAA">The Camera Clinic </a> over near the Crest Theatre in Shoreline. A few years back they did a CLA on an Olympus 35RC I got at auction as well as repair on a Canon AE1P that I had and I thought they did a very nice job.</p>

    Where's the screen?

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <blockquote>

    <p>That jewel looks like it's in great condition!</p>

    </blockquote>

    <p>Yeah, I was pretty lucky, when I was looking for an OM body I lucked into 2 of them in that condition. I have anOM2n and an OM1n. I'm going to be selling one (along with a bunch of my RFs to help raise money for my wife and I to go to Europe for our 25th) and I'm having a hard time deciding which one to part with.</p>

    Where's the screen?

    in Classic Manual Film Cameras

    Posted

    <blockquote>

    <p>You should have told her that the screen was that film-reminder thing on the back. Her response would still have been, "Oh." :-)</p>

    </blockquote>

    <p>Yeah, when I saw that in the photo I was wondering if she saw it and thought it as a screen. It was funny though how the word film bounced off of her as though I was speaking some ancient forgotten language. She really was working hard to decipher what I was trying to say. It was like talking to an Eloi.</p>

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