arthur_mcculloch2

Congratulations. Your 110mm should do fine as a portrait lens, though some people prefer the 105 or 150. Wide angle, either of the 40 or 50mm lenses would work. I have a preference for the 50mm. I have 2 ETRS-i's and a couple of shabby ETR backup bodies. The winder is a must and will enhance the camera's ergonomics. I have both of the zooms - but rarely use them because of the weight. They are not a good buy, and used to command exorbitant prices (though I haven't followed them over the last few years). The zooms came in different iterations (I believe that some of the earlier zoom iterations were done by Schneider, though cannot vouchsafe for that), as did the other lenses. When Tamron purchased Bronica, on the founder's demise, they re-computed the lens range - some say they are better optically - I've not noticed a discernable difference. When they put out the early S, S2, and S2a, there were Nikkor lenses available. The S series may interest classic camera enthusiasts, but they were poorly designed and engineered, had real problems with the film transport arrangement, and needed many spares for their abundant problems. Tamron relied heavily on MTF data in recomputing the lenses - you may be advised to seek them out. It's an electronic shutter - a seiko, so it's flawless. But will, in the absence of battery power, default to 1/500s. Get a waist finder and a light meter; it's a better experience than the prism viewfinders. The film backs were expensive and need some caution in buying. It's good to have two or three, with dark slides. The locating pins are sheathed in a plastic tube which is prone to breaking. What else? If you're interested in B&W, get a yellow filter. I would endorse the suggestion of getting a manual from butkus. There's a wealth of info about them on the net. Stick with bronica lenses. Good buy. Enjoy - let us see some photos soon. They sound like a bazooka going off - forewarn your subjects. Regards, Arthur (apiarist1)

What's your impression of the elmarit Greg M? The colour and clarity of your photos are exemplary. They are impressive. I'm looking for a 65 - 90 lens for my new toy, M mount, monochrom M10. Any advice much appreciated. Regards, Arthur (apiarist1).

My contributions. All with my monochrom and a Jupiter 85mm lens (with adapter). It is prone to flare and softness wide open. Taken ate the official openning of our refurbished library. The first is of a street performer hired to entertain the decidedly small crowd; the second of a council employee; and the third of one of the attendees. Regards, Arthur (apiarist1)

What are your thoughts, MarcelRomviel? There's something ethereal about the image. Regards, Arthur (apiarist1).

Look forward to the outcome. Does the amadeo adapter accommodate Kiev lenses (a copy of the contax)? I like the rendition of the sonnar design lenses; some of the early canon and nikon lenses seem to owe more to zeiss than to leitz. But focus shift has always been a problem with sonnar. I believe that the 7artisans 50mm is based on the sonnar design. Good photographing, Greg M, will look forward to the results. Regards, Arthur (apiarist1).

My contributions for the week. With my monochrom and a Jupiter 85mm lens, with adapter. It was my stepson's birthday dinner. The first is of his family and friends (well not all his family; missing his two sisters - family politics, ahem), the balance are a hapless family seated nearby who consented to me photographing them. Regards, Arthur.

Good on you. Rollei priced themselves out of the market with their commitment to the best of engineering. They are magnificent. What shutter and lens does it have (I'm hoping not the tessar 2.8 - which was quickly withdrawn). TLR's are a great joy to use. You've prompted me to fish out my Yashicamat to give it a go. Good on you again. Looking forward to the results. Regards, Arthur.

SCL, yes it is a help. I'll give it a go. Thanks again for your advice. Regards, Arthur.

These photos are excellent. You've set a benchmark here. Each so interrogative of character, almost filmic. The first photo entraps me. Bravo. I wish I could emulate. Regards, Arthur.

Well, Bill Blackwell Images - the advice on the link you gave me worked. At least for the M10. Not so for the M246's. Really appreciated the link. Thanks and regards, Arthur.

Thanks Bill Blackwell Images, and thanks to Niels and SCL. I tried the nikon and pentax lenses on my M264 and M264 monochrom, and it was the same story: focus peaking worked with old LTM's (with adapter) but not with the Nikon and Pentax lenses. I had to rely on just visual focussing. Thanks for the link. I'll try thr suggested customisation of the wheel and see how that goes. Regards, Arthur

It's using an M10 monochrom. Focus peaking works with LTM lenses (older leica lenses, the russian LTM', and the 7atisans), with M adapter, but not with other lenses (a pentax and a nikon). That's both using the live view and an evf. I'll try the nikon and pentax lenses on my type 246's to see if they are different. Thanks, Arthur.

So, it works, but on both live view and with an EVF, there's no focus aid - it looks like all I can rely on is visual decision making about what's in focus - which is pretty hopeless. Is there a better way? Any ideas greatly appreciated, or any existing websites for an idea. Maybe non-native lenses are not the way to go. Perhaps stick to legacy lenses, or the plethora of LTM or M mount lenses. Regards, Arthur

My contributions this week (after last week's disastrous foray into film - I'll try again with a different film stock), three patrons of my local pub. All with monochrom and go to 75mm voigtlander (aka cosina) lens. That's a great shot, Allancobb, wonderful tonality and composition. Regards, Arthur

Thanks Niels and Ken.

I have some non-native lenses (Nikon AIS 85mm and a Pentax 105mm), both with M mount adapters. Is there anything I should worry about in using them on an M camera, both analogue and digital? I guess on the analogues its guesswork setting focus, but on the digitals I have EVF's. I was concerned about any potential problems with the rear elements coming into contact with the shutters. I should know the answer to this, but for more abundant caution thought I'd ask the cognoscenti. Thanks and regards, Arthur (apiarist1)

"it's got loads of pixels'; and some brilliant colour and resolution. How much did it set you back? Whatever, enjoy your new 'toy'. Regards. Arthur

My contributions this week - from a Voigtlander Bessa-T with a Voigtlander (aka Cosina) 90mm Apolanthar. The film was Lomography Berlin 400 ASA, but rated at 650 ASA and cooked for 30% longer in Ilfosol 3 - this rather unscientific approach has worked for me with HP5, but just produced excessive grain here. The camera is 'problematic' in use: the rangefinder window is small and focussing is daunting, the light meter is external, and the absence of frames meant I had to use a Russian turret viewfinder - so getting sharp photos is a bridge too far. The first two photos are of my neighbours Ollie and Sebastion; the third of some funeral lillies in my garden; and the last one of the camera. Impressive colours Bill Blackwell Images, and great framing Greg M. Regards, Apiarist1.

My images - local bartenders/tendresses. I think I may have posted one before, but can't remember. Again with my monochrom and go to lens (I lust after an M10 monochrom, but they are still beyond my reach, and some unexpected and unwanted health issues have arisen making such a purchase a folly). I hope to finish the roll of HP5 I'm putting thru a bessa t - a poor persons leica M - this week). By the way, Allen Herbert, where was your image taken? Regards, Arthur

Greg M, how did you get the sky separation on the first two images - filters? - they are good, better than good. Tell me, I'd love to emulate that. Not just for that, but the composition which (something I've been trying to focus on, if you can pardon the pun) is excellent. The third, well, what was the aperture? The crane is in focus, but not the boat. I was left wondering what was your focus here. And bravo. Regards, Apiarist1.

A very 'quiet' week for me, full of 'domestic bliss', as we accommodate both of my wife's daughters who are in various forms of distress. So some images from the archives. All with my monochrom, although I loaded a Bessa T with film late last week, just haven't had the chance to use it. I am particularly impressed with the design and composition of Allacobb's and Bill Blackwell Images' photos. Regards, Apiarist1

My contributions, from last sunday. A couple of images of Hermione, a carer of my stepson (she comes here every second sunday to help him make pizza), and an image of Shawn, my stepson. All with my monochrom and go to cosina 75mm lens. Regards Arthur (apiarist1)

They are good, GregM. Look forward to more. Regards, Arthur (apiarist1).

'one of spies', Luis Triguez. ? Regards, Arthur (apiarist1)

My contributions. My sister and her spouse visited us last week. She is starting to show her age, as we all do. So out to dinner. Where my stepson met up with one of his former support workers. All with monochrom and go to 75mm lens. That's a great image, Allen Herbert. Regards, Arthur (apiarist1)