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Post by philbirch on Nov 6, 2014 11:16:50 GMT -5
I am convinced that computers are evil creatures sent to our planet to confound gullible and innocent human beings. Mickey No, only you Mickey. Truls can sort it out. let us know how you get on.
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Post by philbirch on Nov 6, 2014 9:19:32 GMT -5
Fallow deer at Dunham Massey. Mating season. I think the young buck is on a promise, the doe had 'come hither' eyes!
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Post by philbirch on Nov 6, 2014 9:17:17 GMT -5
As this thread reaches record length, there will be letters that hang it up. I suggest that we give 24hrs and if there is no posting, then we should move on to the next letter. What does everyone think? I hate to see the thread dry up before our cameras collections are exhausted. David A great idea. I'll go with that.
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Post by philbirch on Nov 6, 2014 9:16:13 GMT -5
No idea of IIIG\M3 or Leica copy prices, but I will keep advising on an M3 rather than a IIIG for practical use, let the Leica collectors park the IIIGs in a glass cupboard. It is stylish and reliabe, but not as usable as the M3. Both versions seem able to take some rain and being dropped without ill effects. The M-LS adapter makes all m-39 optics usable on the M3, while the viewfinder allows you to keep both eyes open so that you see the entire surroundings with a clear frameline projected onto it. Yes, you can put a Voigtländer "Kontur" VF on any camera and get almost the same effect, but then you cannot focus at the same time. Threading film is always a bit fiddly in Leicas until you get the hang of it (and the film tongue must be cut properly), but the rear flap of the M-series does make it much easier. p. You know what, I agree with you entirely with what you said in the above post. But I simply do not like the looks of the M3. I think it is ugly. I am attracted to the lllg or lllf because I like its looks. I of course have many ugly cameras in my collection and use them. It amuses me when people comment. Remember I use my collection, I'm used to bottom loading, a real pain in the ass as it is, and squinty viewfinders. So I'll be at home with a lllg or lllf which has a more squinty viewfinder. Of course I may find an Alpa 5 and change my mind. DAVID Yes it is my intention to finish collecting cameras for the near future. My decision is actually not to purchase any more and sell off everything in my 'collection' that doesn't belong in my classsic 1953-1958 collection. My thanks to you all for your replies, Stephen you have given me so much information, Pauolofseth, thanks for your concern and advice on the M3 it is appreciated, and you never know, I may well change my mind. I have about 5 weeks to make up my mind. Anyone here with a spare Leica? Perhaps we can come to a deal.
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Post by philbirch on Nov 4, 2014 18:46:29 GMT -5
I dont want to start a collection, I want a good camera that I can use. I have been using my Zorki 2C for well over a year now and its a lovely camera to use. Its a Leica copy, and I was thinking a real one would be nice.
I use all my (working) classic cameras and most have fiddly viewfinders so this will be nothing new!. I'm not bothered about M-mount lenses either. M39 is good enough for me and the lllg will allow me to use what I have in my small M39 collection as well as all my Minolta Rokkors and M42 lenses. Via my very special adapter.
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Post by philbirch on Nov 4, 2014 7:37:11 GMT -5
Yes Wayne I have looked at the Leotax and the Reid but are way out of the price range.
A leica lllg is good enough. I know the M3 is also from that period but the classic look of an older version is my dream As is an Alpa.
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Post by philbirch on Nov 3, 2014 4:50:55 GMT -5
I buy and sell cameras. There are many options. Here in the UK we will have auction rooms, Gumtree and Craigslist. Each has its own character.
Gumtree is a place to get bargains when people don't know what they are selling, but mostly - because people don't know what they are selling they are priced too high, ads run for months e.g a Zenit E with Prinzflex zoom lens for £49. But its not a great place to go for collectables or to sell them.
Craigslist outside US is patchy. I just counted 15 film cameras for sale in the entire UK (not including dealer ads)
Auction rooms fetch low prices, if you have only one collector in the room he will win, the others are dealers hoping to turn it round for a quick profit and they only bid low. A specialist auction is best for this. Though they are rare and probably involve a lot of travel.
Camera fairs are a good place, Lloydy visits them, he may be able to give more information on this.
Look for antique or collectible sites like Junkables, TIAS, Delcampe, Bidstart. But they are mostly US based. Delcampe is French. Descriptions and images of camera stuff on them are usually crap and its mostly things like Box Brownies, Polaroids and Kodak Instamatics.
You then realise how good ebay is. Like them or not - its the place to go. Collectors can search for a specific camera by model. People selling collectibles have a good knowledge of their camera and will generally give a good description.
The trick to selling on ebay is the listing title. You have 80 characters (including spaces) to attract the attention. I always use the words old and vintage then as good a description as you can in 80 characters. Auctions can be a bit of a gamble, a rare piece can go for a stupid low price. A Buy It Now option must be priced properly. At a price not too high that will scare off buyers and low enough to be acceptable to you. An honest description detailing faults is best, because if you are selling a valuable camera the buyers will be more picky. I sold a pre-war Contax for £250, the buyer complained bitterly that there were 'Zeiss Bumps' and that I hadn't mentioned them nor were they visible in photos. He demanded a partial refund of £50. I offered to collect the camera and give him a full refund but he refused. We settled on £25. This is the kind of crap you get when selling high value items.
Of course you can advertise them here but the response rate is pretty low.
I hope you find this useful
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Post by philbirch on Nov 2, 2014 21:11:10 GMT -5
A lllg ? The last of the awkward but supurb Leica screw mount cameras, I have my Fathers, carefully preserved, but occasionally used, and with the TTH F2 from the Reid, which is a fantastic lens. The Reid is better made than the Leica, on authority from Leica service experts, and from the gentleman who gathered the Leica design details together during the war for Reid to convert to imperial threads and improve these shutters. The lllg had some of the Reid improvements incorporated in the design, small changes but important, giving a smoother release and quieter shutter. The other top make for the period, optically, is Alpa with the Kern Macro 50, which is absolute unbeatable to this day on both sharpness and colour balance, a true classic lens on another awkward camera! With an EBay purchase or a shop buy, then budget for a full service with the IIIg, including having the lens cleaned, recoated if needed, and properly recollomated on reassembly. That's if it needs it, only test films and carefully assessing the condition bypass this. Stephen. I like the lllg and while this is my target, I may be persuaded to go for another model. Since writing the original post I have seen how much a Reid goes for. Perhaps a little out of my budget. I read that the difference between an lllg and a lllf is mainly from a manufacturing point of view but it is interesting that Leica appeared to copy a copy of one of their cameras. I shall visit a couple of specialist dealers in mid December and get myself a nice Christmas present. Thanks for your advice Stephen.
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Post by philbirch on Nov 1, 2014 18:43:21 GMT -5
I am winding up collecting cameras for the foreseeable future. I am disposing of any that don't fit in with my 1953-1958 (was 1954-1957) theme or my classic Canon and Minoltas (which I'll still be looking for) so I will have a few cameras for sale. And some lenses too.
I want to wind up my collection with a biggie from my birth year (1957) I have my eye on the Leica lllg with the collapsible Elmar. The lllf is just within my time frame, but an early lllg would be nice.
I'm going to pop over to Real Camera in Manchester to see what they have. I want a good condition and fully operational camera because I'm going to use it a lot.
The M3 is also my birth year camera but I prefer the classic looks of the screw fit Leicas.
I am not interested in another camera that is just as good - Unless its special.
The dream cameras are:
Leica lllg would definitely use it
Alpa Reflex 6 would definitely use it
Reid lll would use it.
Rolleiflex 2.8E unlikely to use it much
Hasselblad 500C (early model) unlikely to use it much.
Leica M3 would use it but last on the list for a reason.
I'd hope that £500 ought to cover anything in this range. But I can go quite a bit higher if necessary.
Your comments please or offers.
Hurrah, my 1000'th post!
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Post by philbirch on Nov 1, 2014 17:54:39 GMT -5
A fascinating story. I'm afraid any ghosts i have are faulty light seals.
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Post by philbirch on Nov 1, 2014 10:08:12 GMT -5
Light tent is indispensible if you don't have a well equipped studio. However, the toughest part of shooting a camera is getting the glass to look right. No the glass is easy, the toughest part is cleaning all the dust off first, it looks horrendous in a photo. I have a tiny light tent, its 45cm cube and cost about £10 on ebay from a uk seller. The whole lot folds down into a small bag about 20cms wide
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Post by philbirch on Oct 31, 2014 13:41:32 GMT -5
David, a very nice photo. Peaceful. A moment of reflection.
Some of us tomorrow will have a moment of reflection.
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Post by philbirch on Oct 29, 2014 4:47:32 GMT -5
Great photos.
Oh, BTW, I have been invited to photograph a Bi & Trans presentation. I'm not sure it will be the same as this but just as interesting. Its a drag but someone's got to do it.
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Post by philbirch on Oct 29, 2014 4:42:20 GMT -5
Hi Cole, welcome from yet another Minolta fan. Please participate in the 'competitions' and feel free to drag up old posts!
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Post by philbirch on Oct 28, 2014 16:00:17 GMT -5
David, your photo of the tripod head is beautiful and deserves to be here.
I'm pleased this thread has taken off, there are some great cameras being shown in it and some lovely stories too. Lets keep it up. But of course some letters aren't easy, so I suggest that accessories and lenses be included too. This exposes us all to more wonderful objects in our collections, so from now on Mickey your Kodak sign has a legitimate place in this thread. And without doubt, Davids beautiful tripod head too.Thanks to you both. Phil
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