lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Sept 5, 2012 17:13:03 GMT -5
Thank's for information Peter, what you've told me and a tiny bit gleaned from the internet is all I've found. So I'm guessing it is rare, or at least scarce in the West. The value of the camera isn't important, well, if it would fund a lifestyle of the rich I wouldn't complain. My main aim is to use it, but sadly I think that I mistook the smooth film wind on for 'quality' whereas in fact the film take up spool is actually slipping. With no film it seems fine, the lever turns the spool, but with a film or a bit of friction from a finger the spool slips, and will actually go backwards. I'm guessing there should be a ratchet mechanism linked to the rewind release button on the camera base that is either broken or stuck ? I have some experience of repairing cameras and lenses, but obviously there is no instruction book for this camera. And I have no experience with rangefinders other than getting my Zorki set up - adjusting the rangefinder and setting the lens mount distance. I'd hate to wreck this camera, and I'm prepared to send it to someone who knows what they're doing. But if it's likely to be a simple generic type of job I'll have a go. So if anyone has experience of 1950's Japanese rangefinders I'd love to hear your advice and thoughts.
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lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Aug 31, 2012 19:02:35 GMT -5
Very nice collection, and some great images as well.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Aug 31, 2012 18:56:20 GMT -5
I gave in and bought it, and it's a nice looking rangefinder. As far as I can tell the NKK Camera Co made very few cameras, they mainly made shutters. I've found record of a couple of folders on the internet but only one mention of this rangefinder that NKK made briefly before they went bust in 1958. Wester front by Mudplugga, on Flickr Wester case by Mudplugga, on Flickr Wester back by Mudplugga, on Flickr Wester view by Mudplugga, on Flickr It's a well made camera, the construction is better than many of the cameras of this era which have poorly pressed, thin steel, top plates, This is a heavy and strong camera. The shutter is smooth and quiet, with speeds from B, 1 to 500 sec. Apertures on the 45mm Wescon lens go from f16 to f2.8. The closest focus on the ( very stiff ) control is 2 feet. There's an ISO dial from 800 to 10, is ISO 10 still available ? This is just a reminder dial, there's no light meter or battery. Under the ISO dial is the film wind on lever, and this is a joy. I have never felt such a smooth mechanism on any camera. There's a tiny but clear frame counter on the back of the top plate. The viewfinder is excellent, very clear with a good yellow patch, out of the few rangefinders I have this is by far the best. Other than that it's as you would expect from a camera of this period, tripod mount, strap lugs, cold shoe and one nice touch, a shutter lock with a nice knurled twist button on the front. As yet I haven't run a film through it, so the quality of the lens is unknown. But.....if the lens is any good this will be a great little rangefinder. I will post pictures, but it might take a couple of weeks.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Aug 29, 2012 19:03:03 GMT -5
It could well be a 45 mm lens, I'm dyslexic with numbers and didn't have a chance to write any details down. I kinda thought it might be the case that it is a rare but not desirable or valuable camera. The quality of construction is decent, but who know how it performs? It's in a local charity shop and they keep the cameras for me to have a look at and give a rough value on, so I also get first chance at the good stuff. ;D I might just bring it home and run a roll through it for testing.
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lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Aug 29, 2012 17:04:25 GMT -5
Auto Wester 35mm rangefinder
I've never heard of Wester cameras before, but I've seen a nice rangefinder, pre 1958 ( Apparently NKK went bust then ). It has a Wesco 28mm lens, the shutter is cocked from a lever on the lens and fired from a button on top. The rangefinder window is very yellow - radioactive? whatever, the rangefinder works. It's in very nice condition with a good leather case.
All I can find out is that Wester cameras were made by Nishida Kogaku Kogyo 'NKK' and a bit of information on the earlier folding cameras the S1 and the Autorol. I can see nothing about this rangefinder.
Is it rare and valuable, or is it just another decent rangefinder ? I've got a few rangefinders already which I hardly use except for my Zorki 4K, they aren't my main focus of interest. So, should I spend money on it ?
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lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Jul 2, 2012 16:50:45 GMT -5
I've just updated my list, and it's now 29 cameras and 58 lenses. I hope my wife doesn't use 'Camera Collector' ;D
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Jun 30, 2012 18:32:45 GMT -5
A very impressive, and interesting, history. Well done.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Jun 28, 2012 17:40:08 GMT -5
Prinzflex was a store brand for Dixons here in the UK many years ago - 1970 / 80 period. Most were average, some were poor. I haven't come across any with the Rexatar name on them though, maybe they were different ?
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Jun 28, 2012 5:19:44 GMT -5
That looks the same as my Photax 200 3.5 - if it is, it's a very good lens. I have a few Chinon lenses now - all good.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Jun 28, 2012 5:15:59 GMT -5
It came from rockycameras.com. ............................................ Have you Googled 'Rocky Cameras' ? it's an education. His reputation is awful, and the chances are the dent in that camera was caused by him dumping cameras and lenses into boxes at a camera fair, I've seen him just 'sweep' them off the table into a box on a chair. Then he describes them as 'perfect' I've seen him regularly at camera fairs, he sells a lot of junk, and his customer service skills at dealing with complaints can best be described as 'confrontational'.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Jun 28, 2012 4:22:24 GMT -5
Pentax S1a & Soligor 400 / 6.3 The S1a is without a doubt one of my favorite cameras, I've only just got the Soligor and only tried on my NEX5 so far, I think I'll like the lens as well.
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lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Jun 28, 2012 3:53:07 GMT -5
Pat Moss died a few years, I can just about remember her when she lived not far from where we lived when I was just a boy, the sight of her tearing around in the rally prepared Healey 3000 was always a pleasure, there was a long series of S bends outside our house and my old man would go nuts as she screamed though on her way to the shops. ;D
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Jun 26, 2012 18:26:32 GMT -5
Yes, I think it was a joint venture with Saab. It's a shame it was so fragile because it was one of the sweetest V8s ever built.
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lloydy
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Posts: 506
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Post by lloydy on Jun 26, 2012 16:48:25 GMT -5
The Triumph Stag V8 was a totally different V8 to the Rover, the Stag was a nice engine - but sadly it had weak head gaskets, and if one blew and the driver kept going the engine was wrecked, if they shut it down it was fixable. The Rover V8 was very good, they made a good job of the old Buick lump. The engine in the TR7 looks like a European Ford V6, probably 2.8 or 3.0 litre, it's certainly non original, and very nice. The TR7 was made as a TR8 with the Rover engine, and that was a quick car.
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