red_robin

<p>I found a little shop selling film from drugstores. Mostly Kodak and store re-badges, Some soon to be out of date,some out of date. All sold @ .25 cents not having any problems so far. Buy the film, pack film in boxes, store in my part of the upright freezer. I've bought enough to last me va long time. Not having a lab, the pricey part of the whole deal is the processing. I rarely have prints made, only a disk. Good luck to you If you shop on the bay your bound to find some great deals. I found most sellers don't want to have to deal with returns so the products are good . Read descriptions , ask questions, watch sellers feedback. </p>

<p>Kitty, A fine chose, I might recommend having it checked out by an experienced tech . Lots of small things may need to be tweaked( light seals etc.) best to find out before vacation time. Lenses, well I prefer a 50mm, a 28mm, maybe a polarize, to fit each. More may come in time but I'm sure he will have his own ideas as experence with his new gear mounts.</p>

<p>Nearly missed this thread.. ... here goes: My user Karat's both sport a similar lens and shutter the 50/2.8 with the one having a synchro-compur shutter system and a prontor-system the other. Like the one in the picture one has the Karat 36 mark on top with a staggered set of windows for the viewfinder and it's staggered (split)view-finder adjustment. Now the other is a bit different: above the lens is a Agfa diamond with the word 'Karat' underneath it. Another difference is the viewfinder windows are the same size a patch being used in place of the split image of the '36'. The accessory shoe is offset on the '36' the cold shoe on the other is centered on top. Both operate the same giving great results in spite of the operator. Fun and accurate these older cameras don't stay on my shelf for long.</p>

<p>Just got my new-to-me srT201! Great lookin' camera. It came cheep as there were a couple of issues. First the little plastic piece on the film winding arm had "gone south" . An easy fix I have an extra parts body. Then there's the other project. the little bar that shows the film speed inside the viewfinder is flopping all around eeek! An easy fix,?, handy instructions, ?, all help is appreciated. <br>

Thanks Red </p>

<p>Lens cement separation, best to buy another lens as they are very,very cheep( Ah inexpensive).</p>

<p>Thanks Mike, There use to be a fellow on another forum that signed his posts with the though, "So many lenses, so little difference". At my skill level that must be true, however I do seem to like the old things, With the advent of the Digi-cam most of the cams I admired (and could not afford) are now in my price range(COOL BEANS).They continue to produce great results in spite of me. </p>

<p>Jeff A, My camera came with the newer 50mm f=1:2. A nice plastic lens I retired it to the shelf duty in favor of the old school 1:14 f=58mm. My 2nd generation checks a lot of boxes for me. While good I perfer to mount the newer lens on the X-cams I own.</p>

<p>Just when I though my camera acquisition days were over along comes a great thread on Minolta's sr-T's. Next thing I know I'm looking at some beauties on da bay. 101's 102's and more. Somehow I pulled the trigger on a nice inexpensive 303-b w/a 50/1.2 lens. The great price suggested some issues but I've found none after two rolls of Kodak Gold. This thing is "built like a tank". Heavy some might say, me I say it feels solid, substantial a body that can be taken most anywhere , for any task I put it to. A good looker in silver, do wish i'd have waited for a black with mirror-lock. No matter it's another piece of impressive Japanese design and engineering. At these prices their a bargain that's hard to pass up. </p>

<p>Pete, I understand that the selenium meter cell's last longer if kept in the dark when not in use. I have a pair of soft leather-like zipper pouches that help protect the small gems. Overall my working selenium cell meters were kept in cases, also there is a fellow (no-name) that replaces the old cells. See it written about sometimes. Sure it's on the net somewhere. Red</p>

<p>Hi everyone, I own and use two different brands. First a Minolta REPO a tiny little number with a working electric eye! Truly a pocket sized camera this bad boy REALLY DOES fit in your shirt pocket. Beware! If your not prone to shooting a lot a roll of 36 exp. , like with other 1/2 frames, will last a long, long, long time. The little REPO (Reporter) can be a good choice for street shooting. The 30mm f=1:2,8 is, like other Rokkor glass, a good value and a very sharp shooter. Handling is easy as the layout is predictable, a Minolta trademark. My other 1/2 frame user, a Olympus - Pen EE 's' is another palm-sized shooter is as small as the pocket sized Repo. and as easy to use. The 3cm 1:2.8 lens gives the sharp results that's expected from the D.Zuiko glass. Frame changing is also done also by using a tiny thumb wheel. Film loading is achieved by actually removing the back. No regular hinge like with the Minolta Repo. All in all not much to choose between the two Me I like'em both! What's your favorite 1/2 frame?</p>

<p>Anyone do some lens comparisons? My 17 has the 40mm lens, does the 45mm offer a different look? Wonder why they changed, money, performance, or some other issue.</p>

<p>Nice little rangefinder there. Mine looks like a silver version of the black one with that QL. Replaced the seals 8 or 9 years ago never a problem. You can download a user manual print it if you want. Found a nice after market slotted lens shade real cheep. A great workaround that's never a burden. Have fun with your new clicker. </p>

<p>Chris, Buying an older camera is not a hasty venture to embark upon. Almost sounds like your mind is made up on owning this overpriced camera. A little bit of internet searching will reveal some honest dealers that will avail you with a nice selection of Canon RF cameras. UNHAPPY(?) send it back! They want your business, your return business. Above all be patience .To put it nicely it sounds like a parts body at best. I use two bottom loaders, a III and a IIF purchased 5 or 6 years ago . No CLA's both work well enough. Before you pull the trigger on that money pit look around. .. ... alot. Ask about honest dealers on rangefinderforum .com, get an earful. RED</p>

<p>I have an old Minolta Uniomat, yes the kind that Sen. John Glenn brought along for the ride inside the Mercury Capsule. My readings on this rangefinder suggests that there may have been at least 3 versions of this fine batterless Minolta offering . Knowing the S/N is 2725**, how do I find out which one I have? Any help is appreciated. Happy summer everyone.</p>

<p>Gordon. Do you or anyone else for that matter know if a T-50 sports the same size prism as theCanon FT ? I have a T-50 in very poor shape that I would prefer to use if it would fit properly. Thanks, Red</p>

<p>Gordon, Now that's one heck of a link. Talk about taken all the mystery out! Many thanks, I think I may do this myself! Red</p>

<p>Any regular FT QL fans out there? Just dug out my FT, the one with the funky prism. My "new find" needs a replacement battery and a replacement prism but otherwise its a nice looking Black Canon FT QL . Shoot I even have the booster that fits only it's the grey one that goes with the silver FT. Oh well, who will know in low light anyway. Wonder how long the new batteries will last? I read that Canon released three Ft's all about the same time with the FT QL being the "best". right now mine is sporting a Vivitat 28mm f=1:1.2 , a wide-angle lens. There seems to be a close-focus setting on the lens but it won't click-in. Strange as if I set it before mounting on the body the lens won't lock-in ! Any how there it is! Happy New Year ! Everyone and keep using film.</p>

<p>I've had a beautiful black ft ql on the shelf for years. An antique store find the body seems nearly new. the lens as I recall was a 50mm something that seemed to have been polished with sandpaper. the only issue is with the prism from top to about center has some de-sivering. is there a replacement? Is there a same size off another camera that works?</p>

<p>Hi there! Still have the VT case? My Canon VI-T would appreciate a new home. Thanks , Frank </p>

Seems once I purchase an Item if it works fine. If it does not I put it in the closet . My backpack I

located at a boot sale for a good price. Loaded I determined it was just too heavy(no never put it

on the scale) as my wife refused to carry it. Reloaded my things into the small camera bags.

Suppose that should the need to transport all that gear does arise I'll just hire some porters.

When I started this hobby my bag was "busting" at the seams. Everything I "might" need was

stuffed inside, you know, just in case. I now pack another way. I pick what I need. Extra(?), that's

what the second lens is. One wide, 35mm, one regular, 50mm, hoods, extra film, maybe a lens

brush. After that , I gotta say, maybe I just didn't plan well enough. Good luck to all and happy

planning.

<p>I supose I might get lucky but. .. ... lets just say nobody (so far) is beating a path to my door to buy my photos. Then again, look at that person that just won a court battle (3.5 years)after having a picture lifted . Think he was awarded 1.4 million. ... nice payday! Is he protected better than the average camera person?</p>

<p>A gentleman on another forum gave/gives an answer I like: "The answer to any photographic question is : It depends." Happy Thanksgiving 2013 </p>

<p>When using my "nikon system", a Nikkormat FTn or FT2, film brand is never a criteria. It's all out of date rebadged drugstore (Fugi?) Most of the older stock purchased off the internet. The remaining, perhaps 150 rolls, found at a thrift shop @.25 a roll any speed--any brand and yes it's all gone now. Not being a Pro it's hard to justify spending 7.-10. dollars on a roll of "super-duper big-name stuff. Anyway the other film all works great! Like asking who makes a better truck Ford or Chevy.</p>

<p>Just found this older rangefinder. Think it takes some oddball batteries. Loaded a roll of 400 set to auto but still no signs of life yet. I see a visit to battery word in my future.</p>

<p>Well well now, over a year now with no Agfa Karat posts .This does not bode well for a "KARAT CLUB". Me ?, after cleaning up my pair, A 36 & a IV, other cameras caught my eye. A search for old Canon 28 uncovered my Agfa's in a cabinet. Still have film in them but no worry as no batteries to leak! All said my Adventure begins again! </p>