alex_james_powell

March 16, 2011

I would like to say thank you to all who have replied, your in-depth answers have given me a good direction to head, regarding the right TLR.

120mm is definitely the route i'm going, something about 6X6 is incredible, and the pictures look timeless, although I doubt I could produce 1/10th of the quality Vivian did.

If anyone has any other Street photographers to suggest, I would happily embrace their work, especially if it's on a TLR or MF.

I do like some of the Japanese models, but after some of the reviews of the Rolleicord V's, I think they just might be the ticket, especially considering they have the Xenar lense, which seems to be the best lense from what you have all said.

If anyone else has anything to add, please do.

It will either be a III or a V, with a Xenar lense that i'll go for.

Many thanks,

Alex.

March 15, 2011

Excellent, thank you all for your responses.

I've had a read, and was having a bit of a 'blonde' moment, I don't know what I was talking about when I said 35mm, obviously confusing myself with something else in my head!

120mm sounds good, as I can buy/develop it quite cheaply,

I will look into other TLR's, I've fallen in love with the overall design & appearance of the Rolleicord, but i'm sure I can be swayed.

I would love to be able to do shots like this:

http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/

Cheers,

Alex

March 15, 2011

I own a variety of 35mm camera's, inlcuding a couple of Zenit XP 12's, an Olympus Trip, Ambi & Agfa Sillettes, Kodak Retina (013), but have fallen in love with medium format, specifically Street photography, by such people as the recently discovered Vivian Maier.

I'm going to buy a Rolleicord, being a lovely, usuable camera, without the pricetag of a 'Flex, recommendations for the best to go for, have generally hailed the later models such as the VI or VB, what do you recommend?

Also, I know very little about the film side of it, with regards to sizes etc, but i've read about using 35mm film or possibly 120 in this?

Apologies for my stupid questions,

Thanks,

Alex

March 15, 2011

Hi JDM,

I do alot of street photography yes, that was the key point!

March 15, 2011

Hey Rob,

Thanks for the reply, the LX5 does look an ideal candidate.

I'm not looking for a camera with range in mind, It will be primarily 2-10 metre shots, often utilising the aperture for maximum emphasis on the subject.

After briefly researching the LX5, i've noticed you can attach various lenses, which something i'm greatly interested in, as the the opportunity for expansion in range etc is something that's important.

I would also like to get some shots of buildings and architecture, but mostly close up etc.

Sorry if i'm brief, but if you have any specific questions which will help with suggestions, hit me!

Cheers,

Alex

March 15, 2011

Right folks,

I'm a longtime user of 35mm cameras, as well as medium format.

I've been looking to invest in a digital camera, I really like the Leica D-lux range, specifically the 5, but with my price range of £200-300, a D-lux 3 is all I can afford.

I do like the large aperture it has inbuilt, and with the ability to go completely manual.

I really like the look of it, and love it's sort of a compact/slr hyrbid.

Can anyone make any other suggestions/recommendations?

Cheers,

Alex

January 2, 2011

Cheers for the input guys,

@Kozma - It's a test roll I have been using, so i'll stick with it for now, I guess it's just a trial and error thing eh? Will give it a go!

@John - Thanks for the tips, i'll give it a go, with the 500 shutter speed, you wouldn't really want to lower that any more in situations really would you?

I'll give it a go :)

Cheers,

Alex

January 2, 2011

Hey folks,

Happy new year!

I just have got back from Dublin, Ireland, with a nice little purchase, it's completely manual, and as i'm more of a auto-range finder connoisseur, I have little idea as to what the settings etc I require are.

Here is the camera (photo's are not by me, just found on Flickr) -

I've ran through the 2 manuals for it on Butkus, but i'm not grasping much at all, it seems the new year's drinks have sent me into a state of vegetation?

I've loaded up some Kodak TRI-X 400 B&W film, and just wondered which dial I would adjust to suit the film speed, as it seems nothing addresses this, or i'm being stupid!

Sorry for my ridiculous questions, I don't think they should belong in the beginners section, as I have a general grasp of sunny 16 etc, it's just a confusing but lovely camera.

Many thanks,

Alex

September 15, 2010

Excellent, Thanks Jeff.

Is it the Tri-x 400 you're referring to?

Alex

September 15, 2010

Hey folks,

I've had pretty terrible results on this camera with colour film, as well as others, hence questioning my method.

Here is the manual: http://www.cameramanuals.org/konica/konica_ee-matic-1.pdf

Basically, everything comes out blurry or dark (I was using ISO200), I was experimenting with the colour films to get my bearings, then wanted to make a transition over to B&W.

Pretty sure I'm selecting light settings correctly :(

Well anyway.. what would be the best B&W film for this camera, when applied to mostly outdoor, but occasional indoor shots, no flash.. ?

Thank you very much,

Alex

April 16, 2010

Thankyou for clearing that up!

Cheers

Alex

April 16, 2010

Cheers Chuck!

Will keep you all updated, been messing around with different speeds, lighting etc.

I know this should be simple, but I am struggling to understand the theory behind film speed, due to my Zenit displaying ASA/DIN, as i'm running ISO400 film, any idea's what speed I need? I understand it relates to shutter speed as well!?

Thankyou!

Alex

April 16, 2010

Thankyou Gabor, I didn't realise that!

Cheers,

Alex

April 16, 2010

Cheers for answering guys!

@ Roger - I did what you said, and now all is good! Cheers! And added Yahoo group, just need to be accepted!

Cheers Joachim, have looked up the sunny-16 and makes lots of sense!

This film will be purely trial and error!

April 16, 2010

Supposed to say great problems - not great detail!

April 16, 2010

Hey folks, after much deliberation I purchased a VERY cheap (£3) Zenit 12XP instead of going down the Minox 35mm route.

So far I the wrong purchased batteries so i'm hoping the light meter works when I get the right ones, and a nice Kodak 400 - 36exp film for a test and to see what i'm like considering I have very little experience with anything other than a digital SLR.

I had a look at the online manual, and took the plunge to install the film, all went ok I believe, the only thing that is worrying me is, when I was cocking the transport lever several times like told to so in the manual the film rewind knob wasn't turning as well, like it said it should have.

Have I installed the film correctly?

Also, I am having great detail in working out the correct film speed, shutter speed, and aperture ring settings, any idea's?

I would definately like to go down the B&W film route, and have a play about to try and master this beauty!

Any other info or guides would be greatly appreciated!

Ta

Alex

June 7, 2009

Sorry, one more question for now ;)

I am looking on ebay, but even though some of the silette's are the correct year, they don't have the little flap on the front that has Ambi Silette marked on :( like on the pic I posted at the top and:

<a href="http://www.cameraquest.com/agfambi.htm">http://www.cameraquest.com/agfambi.htm</a>

Any ideas?

<a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__agfa-silette_W0QQ_frsZ1QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em359">http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/__agfa-silette_W0QQ_frsZ1QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em359</a>

Thankyou

Alex

June 7, 2009

Ah, excellent! Thankyou very much :)

Currently it's a throw up between the Fed's & Ambi silette.

Thankyou

Alex

June 7, 2009

Also! Why does this Fed3 look different to the other?

June 7, 2009

Cheers everyone,

Will have a look through all the cameras you have suggested :)

Yeah I agree, they have got alot more expensive over the last year or two :(

I currently own a Minolta Dynax 300si, with several lenses! (All handed down)

Unfortunately the Ambi isn't mine, and I worry it is slightly out of my price range of £50ish :(

Cheers for all the suggestions, keep them coming!

Alex

June 6, 2009

Hey folks.

Posted over in the Minox section, after researching them a bit more I am starting to want to find something with less reknown faults and on a CHEAP budget :)

I love the metal finish on camera's such as the ambi silette:

I also love alot of the finishes on the Nikon & Russian camera's..

Any idea's as to good lense interchangeability, good quality (especially on B&W), Metally finish like mentioned above and not TOO hard to get hold of?

Cheers guys.

Alex

June 6, 2009

Excellent!

2 for £20?

Cheers

Alex

June 5, 2009

Excellent :D

Thankyou very much for your detailed response.

I'm in the UK, how to you accept payment? do you sort out postage or do I need to prepay one?

How much for each? Thankyou

Alex

June 5, 2009

Hey folks.

My first post here!

Had decided to come across to the dark side and get myself a nice 35mm, am currently negotiating with a seller for a Minox EL 35mm!

I know it's notorious for shutter problems etc..

Obviously the mercury batteries are quite hard to get hold of.. but I have heard of the use of SR44's (4 X 1.5V batteries) and then held together and to stop touching side of battery compartment, wrap them in masking tape?

I don't know how long the battery(ies) will last, I know there are newer 6V equivalents for the old mercury ones too..

I have had a look at the manual, but little info on adjusting exposure etc, very little experience with this too!

I assume lenses can't be changed? also is the flash unit inbuilt or an external attachment? I have seen some on ebay with external attachments... so made me wonder!

Is there any specific grade film to use? I want B&W for all my shots, just don't understand about different exposures in film!

I appreciate any help!

Thankyou

Alex

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