katie_pype

<p>In short, there are some differences to how these two see the picture. Some of the differences are due to my own copies of these cameras and could very well differ from camera to camera. Could they both use a CLA? I'm sure they could, but the shutter speeds are accurate enough to forgo this. These aren't the best quality cameras to shoot with (especially at the Calypso's price); however with zone focusing and their very quiet shutters, they are fun, casual shooters that on a nice sunny day outside can produce some very nice pictures of just walking around downtown. I feel like the Calypso does feel like a more refined camera in the hands and in the feel of using the camera. Not to mention I prefer the warmer tones the lens takes and the overall 'feel' of the picture than the Nikonos..but it's your call whether or not it's worth the price. Between the two, I will be taking the Nikonos out on more adventurous tasks like wading through the lake without worrying if it will be damaged. My Calypso isn't just a shelf queen though, and I really enjoyed taking that camera out and about to actually use the darned thing! <br /><br />Now if someone could tell me what this number meant on the back of my Calypso....obviously a serial number, however who knows how many they made? I have the number '2176' on the back of the lens so I think it's safe to assume they were made together. <br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13116036_1477627705632997_4350602221911178163_o.jpg" alt="" width="468" height="311" /><br /><br /><br />Hope I did well comparing, it was a fun experiment. :)</p>

<p>Here you can see how the sun flare affects the Calypso vs the Nikonos:<br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/t31.0-8/13131705_1477627235633044_6566009139871038104_o.jpg" alt="" width="587" height="388" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13131670_1477688165626951_1047986911597383404_o.jpg" alt="" width="585" height="387" /><br /><br /><br />Colors came out beautiful in the Nikonos rather than somewhat muted from the sun glare in the Calypso.</p>

<p>These were more of a wider aperture. Again, top is Calypso, bottom is Nikonos.<br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/r270/13103343_1477627298966371_4341905164613769280_n.jpg?oh=c306a93b054370e250e813b1e4d9ab8e&oe=57AA99AC" alt="" width="535" height="807" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/r270/13138906_1477688168960284_4512009605393152224_n.jpg?oh=40cda108c5c08d36b5c54f984d71f982&oe=57AC153A" alt="" width="538" height="811" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/r270/13102846_1477627428966358_8881724280387049729_n.jpg?oh=83ca1fe859cb3a8e7377cb62f9f9b527&oe=57AB869A" alt="" width="541" height="815" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/r270/13082484_1477688302293604_4896952496092295616_n.jpg?oh=816a9f52875c3c0a7f988eb425064c13&oe=579ABFA7" alt="" width="544" height="820" /><br /><br /><br /><br />The bokeh in these were noticeably different. The Calypso has a smoother finish in the non-focused areas whereas the Nikonos looks like it's almost 'bubbly'. The Nikonos also looks a bit more swirly in the background, however the Calypso shows some as well.</p>

<p>I tried to be accurate as I could with comparing these photos but they are not as accurate as I would have liked. The zone focusing is a little different on both of them so I tried my best to get the two to match. I also have only done zone focusing a couple times as well. Another difficulty is I could not use a tripod for the both of them, so I resorted to all handheld shots. The Calypso had what looks like a battery area underneath the camera which might hide a tripod mount. However, I couldn't get it off without damaging the cover.<br /><br />With the photos I tried a variety of the apertures and shutter speeds. The photos came out best with apertures larger than f/8, really nice and sharp on my subject (and more forgiving on the zone focusing). I used Kodak Ektar 100 and it was developed and scanned from The Darkroom labs. On a side note; this was the first time using this film and I really like how it came out. Much, much better than whatever 200 film I was using before. <br /><br /><br />Top ones are Calypso, bottom ones are Nikonos. All images are not post-processed.<br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13119991_1477626952299739_1948021236930588615_o.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="383" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13119965_1477687878960313_6457094215818371585_o.jpg" alt="" width="579" height="383" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13131195_1477627022299732_2045926125482221902_o.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="382" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13086630_1477687938960307_3128645039234614462_o.jpg" alt="" width="581" height="383" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13161774_1477627092299725_3949040572521034982_o.jpg" alt="" width="593" height="391" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13087128_1477687978960303_6589075960143233500_o.jpg" alt="" width="598" height="395" /><br /><br />Here in these pictures I used with apertures 16-22. Both are sharp all in, showing some nice details and textures. The more obvious differences is that the Calypso appears to give a more warmer tone to it's pictures while the Nikonos has a more colder feel and a bit of haze almost in it's pictures. Next post is some more wide open apertures.</p>

<p>Let me put this out here; I am not a professional by any means, just an enthusiastic amateur who collects these old film cameras and tries them out if I can. This is also my first comparison, so I'm sure some of you with more keen eyes than me will be able to spot differences if there is any. :)<br /><br />I'm sure some, if not most have heard of the 'Calypso' camera, which was the very short-lived predecessor to the well-known Nikonos line of underwater cameras. I can't really find too much information about these cameras except for the brief timeline of it's life: The camera as produced only from 1960-1962 by a little French company named Spirotechnique. Due to the small size of the company, production numbers weren't large and Nikon took an interest in the self-housed diving camera. They bought the rights to the production of the Calypso and produced initially what was the 'Nikon/Calypso', or Nikonos I in 1963. Essentially the same initial design carried on through the production of the Nikonos III before it was changed to a more SLR-type of camera. I really wish I knew the production numbers of the Calypso but I cannot find much. I only know that earlier models had the 1/1000th shutter speed on the top dial, while later models only went to 1/500. Looking around on eBay and on other various websites there are variations to the design of the camera: some have a chrome nameplate with 'Calypso' written. Others, like mine, just have the script on the camera body itself. Others also have a bold 'MADE IN FRANCE' engraved onto the camera body on the back. My Calypso just has this in very small print by the shutter lock. I do not know what sequence these changes were made.<br /><br />How I got these two cameras are small stories. My Nikonos I found while going to a huge rotary sale locally. They had an entire room just filled with photography and other visual equipment. They had an entire table of just vintage cameras I had to shoulder my way into. While looking, I notice a small booklet of sorts poking out from the top shelf (I'm short and couldn't see it) right next to me. Reaching up, I grab it and the camera that it was attached to. A complete Nikonos II in what looked to be in very decent shape, with a booklet of sorts relating to the camera. Price? A whopping $3! Even the man working the booth agreed it was a lucky buy. Initially it was extremely hard to crack open due to any lubricant being long gone. But since then I keep the seals lubricated if I ever plan to put a roll of film through it. Won't be going underwater though. :)<br /><br />My Calypso I found while cruising through CL while on a trip in Southern California. Dangerous place that is...I was looking and spotted it and realized that it wasn't a Nikonos that someone put 'Calypso' in the title just for clicks....that seal skin gave it away! And my goodness, the price....$450. A quick search on eBay would tell you that's a very good deal. Being with my family, we took a detour to meet the guy outside a busy store. There is was, the camera, the right lens, and even the original lens cap that read, "Calypso PHOT". He told me it was his father's, who bought it new in the early sixties because he was a diving instructor. We agreed on a price of $400 cash and it's probably my favorite souvenir of any trip!<br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13116173_1477627538966347_2340814241860880959_o.jpg" alt="" width="561" height="373" /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13130973_1477627702299664_3155101287314102878_o.jpg" alt="" width="561" height="373" /><br /><br /><img src="https://scontent.fsjc1-3.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13123312_1477627772299657_2885865067430234607_o.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="372" /><br /><br /><br />Superficially they are very similar in many ways, obviously made on the same platform. However, between these two cameras the feel is different when shooting with both!<br /><br /><strong>The differences:</strong><br /><br />-Looking through the viewfinder of both is quite different. I know the Nikonos series are known for their foggy viewfinders from being underwater. Mine is no different, but it is not too bad in the shade. However, the Calypso's viewfinder is absolutely crystal clear! You don't think the Nikonos one is bad until you view through the Calypso. Wonderfully bright and clear. There are no frame marks however, so framing without getting something chopped out is sometimes difficult.<br /><br />-Shutter speed. The Nikonos only goes to 1/500, while my Calypso has up to 1/1000th. The Nikonos also has an 'R' setting to rewind the film, while the Calypso does not need that setting to rewind the film. Speaking of rewinding, the Nikonos is fitted with the little 'crank' which feels pretty flimsy in my opinion. Calypso is fitted with a little knob for rewinding. Its pretty stiff but I'm sure part of it is from non-use. It did cut up my fingers though from the ridges on that knob. <br /><br />-Film advance. They are pretty much equal in all respects, however the Nikonos is quite a bit noiser when advancing the film and for my own camera, it does not 'catch' and I lose a frame from it swinging ll the way back out. I can be a little more careless with the Calypso I have yet to have lost a frame this way.<br /><br />-Now the lens. The Nikonos features a W-Nikkor f/2.5 35mm lens. The Calypso features a Som Berthiot-Flor f/3.5 35mm lens. Unfortunately on the surface of the SBF has a scratch through the bottom corner of the glass, where it does give it some extra flare in I were to shoot in the sun. A lens hood would be wonderful but I would have to find one that fits over this lens without getting in the way of the knobs. The Nikonos has a 'ridge' around the lens that may have helped with sun flare, as well as no imperfections. The 'knobs' themselves for the aperature and zone focusing feel a lot more controlled and refined on the Calypso than the Nikonos, where the focusing knob is very sloppy and the aperture one is a little sticky. Of course, that could just be my camera too.<br /><br />Next post I will be some comparison shots I took with the camera. I tried my best with the focusing because of the differences of the focusing ways of the cameras. (Calypso has just feet in different increments, Nikonos has both feet and meters). Feel free to comment on the differences of the photos!</p>

<p>I do not have the safety lock on, which is why this is puzzling me. It is fully rotated up and I can depress the lever to try and engage the shutter with some resistance (I don't try too hard), but it seems like it's not moving. <br /><br />Oh look, I found the problem! After noticing there was a cover plate of sorts around the shutter mechanism, I figured it couldn't hurt to see what was going on down there. Two little screws and out fell out my problem! It seems as though the frame counter reset button (about a eighth-inch long piece of rubber) fell into the camera and into the shutter mechanism, which blocked something from moving properly. Out it fell and <em>click!</em> I press the shutter and it works, and the lever moves back into it's uncocked position! Make sure everything else is good by running the shutter a few times before screwing the plate back on and putting my camera back together. Glad this one didn't have to go to the 'for parts' section on the Bay! This one will be going into my bag for my California trip! Thank you for replying! </p>

<p>I recently found a Nikonos II at a rummage sale for a give-away price and just had to have it. It seemed to be in decent shape, shutter was firing and came with a little 2nd edition booklet of "Nikonos Photography - The Camera and System". So I took it apart, realized it had some film in it still. Rewound it and threw it out, gave it a good cleaning and some lubrication on the O-Rings, figuring I could still use it for land use near the water without much worrying. I put it back together and after a few times testing the shutter, the film advance lever is cocked, but if I try to "depress" the shutter on it, the shutter will not fire. It feels stiff, as if it is on the last bit of film still. But I already rewound it! I looked in the little booklet and it only told me to remind the film as the lever is on the last tooth of the sprocket. I've tried rewinding it some more but it appears not to be doing anything. Is there something I am missing to 'reset' it? Or should I just try to keep rewinding it and see if I has any effect? I tried looking up my question here and online, but only found forums for the IV and V, which are electronic. I am going down to the beach next week and I would love to take this camera on the sandy beaches instead of my digital. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!</p>

<p>Thanks all for the help! No, it is not a pre-set aperture from what I've read from other forums and the manual. Should retract all the way from the selected aperture after engaging the shutter. And thank you for the post, although I didn't have to take it apart to that extent. Loved the sample photos; could be used for interesting results.<br /><br />There were no screwed I needed to undo--thank goodness, they were the smallest screws I ever saw!--just needed my spanner wrench to undo the rear element, and there it exposed the aperture blades. It was about two hours of using lighter fluid and Q-tips, gently circling the blades and working them each to gently open to get the fluid around, and half a dozen black-tipped swabs to get them clean. After letting it dry for about half an hour about three times, they began to respond like they should, retracting to wide open after the shutter button was disengaged. After an overnight, seeing they still worked, I screwed the rear element on after cleaning everything up and I've got a good as new lens! Thanks again all, hopefully I can get some pictures up soon.</p>

<p>It's been a long time since I've been on this forum! I recently went on a bout of camera buying at a yearly rotary rummage sale where they were selling beautiful film cameras for pennies on the dollar. I got a number of great cameras that I am in the process of cleaning them and getting them ready to shoot and play with. One in particular I got was an Exakta VX/Varex with a Schneider Xenon 1.9 50mm lens. The camera itself is something I've been curious about for a while, and was ecstatic to find it for a price that I felt like I was stealing it. The camera itself is in great shape, and the lens is almost flawless. However, I did notice that the aperture blades are stuck at about f/8. I know when you press the shutter, the blades will close or open quickly, then go back to being wide open. If I were to fire the shutter at a smaller aperture, like f/11, the blades quickly close to the right stop, then go back to f/8. If I were to fire it at f/3, there is no movement at all, not even a twitch. <br /><br /><br />I've been looking to find info on this, but haven't seen anything very specific or exact. The only real repair I've done was occasional repairs to my Minolta Hi-Matic 7's leaf shutter which sticks sometimes. This would be a little bit more of a risk, obviously, but I'm wondering if it's fixable? I don't see any visible grease or oil on the blades, but I've also haven't seen it wider than f/5.6. (It got stuck more to f/8 now...don't want to mess with it anymore). Any help would be very much appreciated!<br /><br />Picture of my Exakta VX:<br /><br /><img src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10169447_1303987039663732_1628043358517381845_n.jpg?oh=2f1dc8f955150d762da7878982309b1a&oe=5615BF87" alt="" width="632" height="421" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Aperture blades looking from the front:<br /> <br /><img src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11412361_1303987012997068_740371557461266792_n.jpg?oh=0456e10c3eb2e3834fd8622aeb0875c2&oe=561F6A92" alt="" width="621" height="413" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Blades from the back:<br /><br /><img src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11402938_1303987019663734_221943103534873125_n.jpg?oh=88904bdb8183c476443b93a3a8a71e79&oe=55E94CD4" alt="" width="618" height="411" /></p>