matty
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Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Aug 12, 2013 17:14:17 GMT -5
Such a pity that my buying budget is more Beirette than Beira. Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Aug 12, 2013 17:03:00 GMT -5
I do like these late model M42 Prakticas, I've got the MTL50, which is the same basic camera but using LEDs rather than a needle to point out the correct exposure. I find the wedge focusing screen easy to use, even if the viewfinder is a little dark. As to Pentacon lenses, am I right in thinking that Meyer Optik was absorbed into the Pentacon Group in the late 60's, their lenses continuing in production but under the Pentacon name? I picked up a Meyer Orestegon 2.8/29 a couple of weeks ago along with a Praktica Super TL3, haven't had chance to use it yet but it will be interesting to compare with my Pentacon 38 and 50mm lens. I would like to get a Carl Zeiss 50mm to compare with but all the ones I've come across have stuck aperture blades. I've already broken one trying to effect a repair so I'm holding off buying one till I find one with a working aperture rather than comdemning others to the bin through my botched repair attempts. Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 26, 2013 17:54:08 GMT -5
I found this one in a charity shop a few weeks back for a fiver. I couldn't quite work it out at first, Werlisa sounded a bit Germanica but then I realised it is Spanish. I never realised that Spain produced any cameras. It is a simple basic 35mm viewfinder but nice to have for its oddity value. Matty
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matty
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Posts: 126
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Vito Bs
Jul 26, 2013 17:49:14 GMT -5
Post by matty on Jul 26, 2013 17:49:14 GMT -5
Waiting for Voigtlander Vito Bs must be a bit like waiting for buses, nothing comes for ages and then two come along together. One of my wife's friends used to work for a professional photographer doing publicity shots for British car manufacturers back in the fifties and sixties, she said she had a few cameras if I was interested. One of them was this: Voigtlander Vito B with the Colour Skopar 50mm/f3.5 lens and the Prontor SVS shutter, in lovely condition with lens hood, uv filter and a rangefinder, all it needs is the inside of the hood refinishing. The serial number suggests it is from 1956. The day after I found this at a local car boot: A little rougher with a dint in the filter ring but still in useable condition, same lens, same shutter but with the EV scale, serial suggests a 1958 date. £20 in the same package as the Sigma SA7 I've posted about. I'm definately keeping the Vito from my wife's friend, she only offered it to me because she knew I'd appreciate it and its nice to have a little history to the camera, I might sell on the second. Incidently the lady has folders with numerous prints of the work she helped with back in the day, she has promised to let me see them. The only thing she regrets is not holding onto the Leica she was lent. Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 26, 2013 17:27:47 GMT -5
Found this at a local car boot last week, I've seen plenty of Sigma lenses but never a whole Sigma Camera. Came with a 28-80 AF zoom, curious mount, it looks very similar to the Canon EF but it doesn't fit onto my Canon. It seems in pretty good condition, just need to get some batteries to check it out. My father has been dropping subtle hints that he would like it, if it works. It came in a job lot with a Olympus Trip, a Vito B and a Tokina 70-200 zoom in the Contax/Yashica mount for the grand total of £20, I think I'll pass it on to him. Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 23, 2013 6:37:15 GMT -5
I think she has forgiven me now, I sold on the Canon and the Praktica for a profit on the whole lot and I've still got the others to play with. Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 17, 2013 13:57:49 GMT -5
My Spotmatic SP arrived in the post this morning, serial number 2989251, with the Super Takumar 1:2/55 lens (serial740879.) It's had a hard life, quite battered and rubbed (gives it a bit more character) but all the bumps are cosmetic, the lens is clean, no fungus and the aperture closes down smoothly, the shutter fires on all speeds, the view finder is clear and the film compartment is clean and tidy, just need to get a battery, replace the bumper and seals and it will be ready to go. So I'm a happy boy. One unusual thing is that it is marked on the bottom with the Broad Arrow so I presume it is ex Ministry of Defence. Does anyone know what the numbers stand for? A quick look on the internet suggests that they are a NATO code and that the 99 means Army issue but I don't really have a clue what they mean. Regards Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 16, 2013 9:00:46 GMT -5
Hello John, We're in the same neck of the woods, I'm over on Anglesey. Haven't got such a great view from our kitchen but the bedroom looks out over Prince William's "office", our days are punctuated by the Hawks taking off from Valley and we can always tell when someone has fallen off a mountain by the route the Sea King takes. I don't bother too much with ebay but seem to find a lot of good stuff in charity shops and junk shops, Rhos on Sea seems to be a good hunting ground (very nice Pentax ME Super the other week) and Rhyl (for some reason, got a lovely Yashica Electro 35CC not long back.) Regards Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jul 15, 2013 10:30:28 GMT -5
As Oscar Wilde said "I can resist anything but temptation" Just won a Pentax Spotmatic on evilbay. I have wanted one for a while but never see them in my usual haunts. I try to avoid evilbay but I couldn't resist it. Starting price was £14.95 and nobody had bid on it with minutes to go, so I put in a £20 maximum bid thinking it would shoot up but it didn't. Just awaiting delivery now and thinking how to explain it to wifey.
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jun 28, 2013 0:30:28 GMT -5
I'll have a go anyway. Even if it is bust beyond repair the Yashica is more than worth the price I paid for the two, so I haven't really lost anything and I'll learn a bit more about taking cameras apart. Matty
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matty
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Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jun 27, 2013 15:27:25 GMT -5
Oh no, had another look at the Olympus this afternoon and tried the shutter but it now jammed. I'll have a go at taking it apart but it might have gone beyond repair. Cleaned the Yashica up and is really looking good, will try and do the light seals in the next couple of days.
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jun 26, 2013 17:35:28 GMT -5
Under a pile of broken point and shoots in a local junk shop I found a couple of gems, a Yashica Electro 35CC and an Olympus 35RD. Both are incredibly dirty both seem to be in quite good condition under the muck. The Yashica needs new seals but the shutter fires ok, I'll pop in new seals and batteries and see how it goes. Had a look on evil bay and was shocked by some of the prices, up to £260, is it really worth that much? (Not that I want to sell it!) The Olympus has a sticking shutter, so when I get a bit of time I'll open it up and clean the blades, unless anyone knows of an easy way to free up the shutter. Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jun 18, 2013 1:37:32 GMT -5
Thanks Stephen, I've passed the information on and it is much appreciated. Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jun 15, 2013 17:17:20 GMT -5
As my car had died last week (starter motor had gone) I missed the Tuesday morning carboot at Valley but my mate went and found a Balda Baldalux in pretty good condition with a Schneider Kreuznach lens and Prontor SVS shutter, unfortunately missing the mask for the smaller negative sizes. The only problems are a bit of fungus on the rear of the front element and the shutter sometimes sticks across all the speeds. Does anyone have any tips on how to take the lens and shutter assembly apart for cleaning. Thanks Matty
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matty
Lifetime Member
Posts: 126
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Post by matty on Jun 3, 2013 9:36:07 GMT -5
Found a few bits and pieces around the carboots and flea markets on Anglesey recently, just haven't had chance to upload any pics so here's my latest toys. Kodak Retinette 1b, really happy with this one, bought for ten pounds with an Olympus Trip 35. I think its the 1963 model with the Rodenstock Reomar 1:2.8/45mm lens and the Prontor 500 LK shutter. Mucky when I bought it but has cleaned up really well, near mint camera, the meter works fine and the shutter seemed a little sticky but has freed up nicely with a bit of working. Running the first film through it, so I'll see how they turn out. [/URL] Belomo Vilia, why did I spend five pounds on this, makes my Zenits seem like the epitome of good workmanship and style. Still it has a certain Communist period charm about it and L***graphy would probably say its worth over a 100. Yesterday I found this in a box of odds and sods, paid five pounds for it. Balda Baldinette 35mm folder with a Baltar 1:2.9/5cm lens and Prontor S shutter. A bit mucky with a very tatty ever ready case that's beyond saving. Was in a bit of a rush so didn't check it out fully. When I got home found the shutter was stuck solid, stood there swearing about being so daft that I hadn't checked it. After half an hour of moping, I had another look and noticed that the shutter was cocked and the self timer had been set. Aha, I thought, the self timer is probably broken after all these years. I eased the timer control back and then the shutter fired. It is still erractic on the 1 sec, 1/2 and 1/5 setting but works fine on the 1/10, and upwards settings so I'm a happy boy again. Will give it a good clean and lube and will try running a film through it. Matty
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