jon_shumpert2

Update on the F1. I just got home from picking up a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 that needed repair. The repair guy was nice enough to run tests on the shutter speeds and meter. The shutter speeds above 1/4 second are good and the meter under-exposes about 1/2 stop. The meter is probably off due to not having the correct battery, but I am amazed that the shutter speeds were good. I am going to try to shoot with it this weekend and will most likely use a handheld meter for exposures.

The lens came with the camera. The camera came with the original case, which has deteriorated badly. The lining of the case has a lot of red dust, which got on the camera and lens. When I first looked through the lens I thought it had some strange color fungus and then realized it was just some of the dust on the front element. I cleaned it and the lens is in very good condition, inside and out. I really like 50mm f1.4 lenses and have them for every manual camera brand I own. I am looking forward to seeing how this lens performs. I will have the camera checked out by my local repair tech this week or next, and then take some shots with it if everything works correctly.

I haven't loaded it with film yet, but I really like the feel of it. The film advance is smooth and everything else about it seems well made. The lens is in great condition too, with no fungus. When I first looked at the camera and lens closely, I saw some strange redness. It is still on the camera a little and can be seen in the photo. I realized the red dust was from the inside of the fitted case. I never use those anyway, so I won't miss it. Over all, I am excited to have found this camera.

The title of the post has two meanings. First, I have been wanting to buy an F1 for a long time, but kept putting it off because I have a lot of Nikon equipment. Yesterday, I found one at a thrift store. I tested everything except the electronics and it worked fine mechanically. This leads me to surprise number 2. When I got home, I was taking the battery cover off and the bottom plate fell off the camera. It caused a little bit of "oh crap" stress until I realized it was supposed to come off. I had never seen this with any other camera. Any other surprises I should be aware of? The meter works and the shutter speeds seem to be accurate, but I will have the camera checked out by the local camera repair guy. The prism has a little dent, but other than that, it has the usual wear. It has the focus screen A, but I will be buying a split image screen for it. Here is a pic of it.

Update on the Hi-Matic. I used the lighter fluid again and the aperture blades are finally adjusting as they should. The shutter and aperture blades still stick intermittently, but it is far better than it was over a week ago. If it is not working well by tomorrow, I am going to ask our local camera repair tech to take a shot at it. I would love to be able to use the camera during my family's visit at Christmas due to sentimental reasons.

Yesterday I went back to the antiques store to check out the camera. I was disappointed to find that the shutter is sticking. I would adjust the speeds and it would seem to work for one or two shots, but then it would stick and not open. I am fortunate to have a camera repair tech nearby, but decided that the cost of the camera and repairs would be more than I want to spend on the Ricoh. I will keep looking for now. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks Brian. I think that may be part of the problem. i didn't let it dry out very long before re-assembling it. i think I will give it another try tomorrow. I hope it works.

I've been thinking about it, and if the Ricoh Diacord is in good condition, I will buy it. The thought of using the polaroid 110a is tempting, but the Ricoh makes more sense. If I decide to convert the Polaroid at a later date, I already have it. If I pass on the Ricoh, I won't find another TLR locally for a long time.

I have been wanting to get back into medium format for a while. I recently bought a Polaroid 110a and thought about having it converted to use a roll film back. The cost of converting it has kept me from doing so, but then I saw this adapter on ebay. Lo-Fi Polaroid 110, 110A, 110B, 800, and 120 conversion kit -most Graflock 2x3 | eBay I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with this. Today, I found a Ricoh Diacord L at an antique shop. I didn't have time to check it out today, but I am going back tomorrow morning to look at it. I know the Ricoh would be an easier way of getting back into medium format, but I would like to see what kind of images the Polaroid could produce. So, I am trying to decide which way to go. I am leaning more towards the Ricoh. Any thoughts/experiences with the two cameras?

I was able to get the shutter blades moving by using the lighter fluid, but the aperture blades were not affected. I have done some minor repairs on cameras and lenses, but getting deep into this lens is probably more than I am capable of.

I met my wife while teaching an adult education program photography class. She brought a Minolta Hi-matic 9 to class that had belonged to her grandfather, but it didn't work. Fast forward 16 years and I still have her and the Minolta. It has been sitting on a shelf all those years because the shutter didn't work. We didn't bother to send it out for repair because the cost was more than buying a used one. Earlier tonight, I actually got the shutter working and was planning to go out tomorrow to shoot a roll of film. I discovered the aperture is stuck wide open no matter what the aperture ring is set at. The motivation for me to get it working was the sad news that her step-father has cancer, and since it was his fathers camera, I thought it would be nice to take family photos with it when we visit for Christmas. I'm kind of bummed about the aperture problem. Does anyone here have any tips on getting the aperture to work properly short of sending it for a CLA? I don't think I would have time to ship it out for service before we go visit her family.

I'm going out tomorrow to finish a roll of film in my Nikon F3. I will be using a Tokina 150-500 f5.6 for all the shots. It is a beast of a lens, and if it doesn't produce good images, I can use it as a dumbell. I just bought a Canon TX and 50mm f3.5 macro this past week and will try to take some shots with that combo later this week.

A few weeks ago I took a chance and bought a very large zoom lens (Tokina 150-500 f5.6) off of facebook marketplace. The seller lives about two hours away and offered to mail it to me. I asked about the condition, specifically about fungus and was told it looked good. The seller shipped it and I got it in about 2 days. I was excited when it arrived, but that turned to disappointment when I opened the package. One of the elements behind the front element had severe fungus which would make the lens unusable. Fortunately for me. there is a camera repair tech about 3 miles from me. He was able to clean the lens so well that there is no evidence of fungus. This all leads to the reason for my post. I took the lens out yesterday and took some shots with my F3 with the K screen in it. The split image focusing was nearly impossible even in bright sunlight because the center would black out. I have a B screen and a G4 screen and was wondering which one of those two screens or which other Nikon screen some of you would recommend. As always, I appreciate any help. Thanks.

I will be finishing a roll of Ektar 100 in my new to me FM2N. I already had one, but saw my newest one at an antique store and had to have it. I had it checked out by my local camera repair tech and he said the meter was just around 1/2 stop over, but the shutter speeds tested good.

I have a couple of new classic manual cameras I am thinking of using this week. I have a Minolta X-700 that came with a 50mm f1.7 and a Nikon FE that I bought as a body only. I currently have a 50mm f1.8 series E lens on it. I'm going to have them checked out by a camera repair guy in town. He checks the shutter and metering. If they are close to accurate, I will load them with either T-max 100 or Ilford HP5.. I have not been using my film cameras nearly as much as I want to.

I don't know what type of caterpillar it is, but I have seen others use this defense. the protrusions seem to have two purposes in the ones I have witnessed. One, they look like horns which could deter some predators. They also expel a strong scent which could deter other predators.

This was taken with my 55mm f2.8 micro on a D7100 at f4. I wanted the shallow depth of field to blur out the background.

I will be using my newest Nikon, an F2.

I just finished developing the roll of Arista edu 400 from the wedding. It is drying right now. I will do a scan of it later tonight or tomorrow. The negs look good. I just need to learn how to get the best scans with my Epson V500. Any tips?

I went to my niece's wedding today and took my FM2N along with 3 lenses. I shot one roll of Arista EDU 400. I used my 50/1.4 for all but a few shots and my 105/2.5 for the others. It was fun. I will develop the film some day this week.

I just got back from the wedding a little while ago. Having photographed so many weddings in both the film and digital ages, it was different only shooting one roll of black and white. I hope I got some good ones. It was nice being a guest with no responsibility to capture any moments. Here is a pic of my gear and bag for the day. I found my most retro looking Nikon strap and carried everything in my FB-17 case.

For all the current and former wedding photographers, I have a question. I used to photograph weddings, either as the main photographer or second shooter. I have been out of the game for a few years , only doing 1 or 2 a year. Today I was at my nieces wedding and was critiquing the photographers (in my head). I was on good behavior and didn't say anything. My question is, how many of you have attended weddings as a guest and had a similar experience? I did take a Nikon FM2N with black and white film, but didn't take any posed shots or any others near the hired photographer.

I was thinking the same thing. I remember on several occasions when I was the pro and a relative would go a little too far. I will get a few shots of my niece, but mostly want to do candid stuff. It will be nice to have no stress over what shots I do or don't get. I got a used Nikon 1 J4 for my wife and may ask if she wants to take it along.

Thanks for the suggestion William. I will use the 50/1.4 for most shots, but I have to use the 105 for some. As far as plan B goes, I would probably take over unless I feel I could trust the photographer with my gear. The only other time I let someone use my equipment was at my own wedding 14 years ago. The photographer was having issues with her Canon equipment and had a Nikon F5 for backup, but with only a 50/1.8. I use Nikon, so I let her use my 28-70/2.8 and Sb800 flash. I had my equipment in my car to take on our honeymoon. Good thing I did.

I will be attending my nieces wedding tomorrow and decided to give my Nikon FM2N some much needed exercise. I am trying to decide between Kodak Portra 160 or Arista EDU400 black and white. The wedding will be outside, with an indoor reception. I used to shoot weddings (around 300) over the years, but will just be using one roll of film. My brother had asked if I wanted to be the official photographer, but I wanted to be able to enjoy a wedding and reception instead of working. I told my wife I will be bringing my digital gear in case the official photographer has issues, but probably won't get it out of the bag. I will be taking three lenses, 24/2.8, 50/1.4 and 105/2.5. I also will be bringing an SB-28 flash. it should be fun.