wanders

Wanders said:

 

Very nice indeed. Even these mid-range Topcons are beautifully built and the Topcor lenses are excellent. I have a couple of similar Topcons and both leaked light at both ends of the door, so it would certainly pay to check the seals in these areas.

 

I'm currently using an old favourite, the Konica Autoreflex T2 with a fine 57mm Hexanon AR f/1.4 lens, and I'll try to post some results later in the weekend.

 

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Yes, I'll be replacing the door seals tomorrow. They don't look too awful but they're certainly a gooey mess in spots.

I've been shooting my T3n a fair bit recently but my T4 has become the daily driver. I recently acquired an FT-1 Motor, which I'd wanted for quite some time.... it's giving the T4 some time off. Konica AR is new-to-me in the past 3 or so years, but has all but replaced my Pentax system (K and m42) as the favorite. Really enjoy those cameras and glass and wish I'd had a go much earlier on!

This fella will be getting a workout soon; arrived to me yesterday.

I've stared at the photo on the right many a time, a Christmas morning snap of my gramps opening up a gift camera in 1974 or thereabouts. I'm not 100% convinced I got the right one, but either way I've a yet another nice arrival. A couple years ago I was holding out hope that this one and several others would be unearthed from my grandparents' storage boxes but it seems a number of his old cameras have disappeared, likely by way of my aunt "tidying up" numerous times over the past decade. Ah well.

After a quick consult with a friend, I re-adhered the mirror last night which had broken loose inside the mirror-box in shipping and had been flailing about in there, but luckily little-to-no damage to it. All cured and shined up this morning. A solidly made and reliable little shooter, evidently a lower-tier Topcon model but still quality (but for the sparse pickings in the UV mount variety), i'ts metering nicely and with working shutter-priority as well manual. A nifty little 70s example that's as of yet still comparatively dirt-cheap on the used market. A six-element Topcor 50/2.0 on the end of it. Love the bright-work at the end of the barrel.

The Agat 18k takes 24mm push-on accessories (some are also threaded for 22.5mm filters), which adds to the versatility of the camera.

 

Left: 18k with Tiffen 24mm push-on to Series 5 adapter, Accura lens hood, and Series 5 drop-in filters, which fit in the back of the hood.

Right: Tiffen adapter with Series 5 screw-in filter attached.

 

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I've had one of these for quite a long while. A really fun take-anywhere affair that really gives surprisingly good results all things considered. Much moreso than I remember expecting from it originally.

I have a war-time Zeiss-Ikon Nettar that is quite nice with Anstigmat 105mm. The shutter bound a couple years back and I've not bothered with tinkering with it yet, largely because I enjoy my other 6x9 more (one of two I've had of the same) which is the Franka Rolfix II. Frankas don't seem to be as well known/remembered these days and go for less noticeably money. I'd shot with the 6x6 Franka Solida III many times before picking up the Rolfix II. Both are equipped with simple triplets, the Solida III with a Schneider Krueznach Radionar 80mm, and the Rolifix II with a Rodenstock Trinar 105. I love the rendering of the former. The latter on the Rolfix I've not quite figured out all its idiosyncrasies - sometimes it's wild, sometimes flat, sometimes sharp, but the edges and corners are usually at least somewhat soft, varying to incredibly so with lots of chroma activity. Still I like it a lot, and the Rolfix is lighter/simpler/more compact than others I've used. A most basic folder - which is also part of what I love about it.

Here's a shot from last fall from it, and two from 3 or 4 years back.

everything we could know better by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

ages by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

enter here by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

I'll carry on the kitty cat opening theme since I don't get to post these anywhere much. :)

there are need to be some changes around heres by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

Konica Autoreflex T4 | Hexanon AR 50/1.4 | TMax 3200

this guy, priority 'shmael by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

Kiev 4a | Helios-103 | RDPIII

the captain of her soul by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

Pentax MX | A50/1.4 or FA43/1.9 (I can't remember) | HP5 Plus push+1

the life by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

Pentacon Six TL | CZJ Biometar 80/2.8 | Provia 100F

old whisker by Kevin Rosinbum (Eyewanders Foto), on Flickr

CV Bessa R3M | CV Color Skopar 35/2.5 | Ilford HP5 Plus

Took a chance on a Konica Autoreflex T4 for fairly cheap, its in decent shape however the shutter seems to fire at the same speed from 1/30 on up. The camera does not currently have a battery and I was under the impression that it is only needed for the meter but I was wondering if I was incorrect about that? If it isn’t the battery I was wondering if someone has ran into this problem before and could tell me if it’s and easy DIY fix or if I should send it into a shop and have them take care of it? Thanks.

I am imagining this is too little too late, and judging from the username this person may well have posted and disappeared, but I had a question regarding this problem - are you *certain* that the shutter is firing at the same speed through the upper range? e.g. have are you judging this by sight with the film door opening and viewing the metal curtain? I ask because the TC and T4 both have much more pronounced mirror action sound when compared to the shutter action sound, and there is also generally more time between mirror-up and mirror-down in relation to the actuation of the shutter itself than in SLRs of most other brands. Point being, because the mirror is noticeably louder than the shutter, if you're not used to what a T4 or TC SOUNDS like, it does sound a bit like 1/60 and up is the same even when operation normally.

You're correct - the TC and T4 (and earlier T series) are completely mechanical except for metering and AE aperture controlled (they are shutter priority AE cameras). I've revived more than half a dozen T4's (and twice that many TC's) in the past two years or so and I've yet to come across one that had shutter timing issues. That Copal is a bit of a tank in there. Like Mike mentioned, metering problems aren't uncommon, though even in that case I've only ever come across dirty or corroded contact inside that were at fault - they usually come back to life (even those that seem completely dead) with a decent cleaning.

<p>I just stumbled onto this thread and am curious how you've gotten along with Ektar since, Brittany. I am also in Seattle and adore Ektar (though I'm still very partial to Velvia & Provia) and it's become probably my favorite overall color neg film - I've run into a few problems with it but it's very forgiving overall.<br>

I'm local in Seattle as well and it's been years since I've used Panda, but I always have great dealing with the folks at Moon Photo in Greenwood - Bob's been around since 1974 (WELL before I was shooting since that's my dob hehe) and he's just great. They scan on Noritsu as well, and some of their work they actually send of to Panda (I can't remember precisely what - I think for slide mounting and some other things). Anyhow, if you'd like to try a different lab locally give'm a ring. He's even pushed Ektar 3 stops for me... though he practically begged me not to. :)</p>