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Post by dee on Sept 29, 2010 16:05:15 GMT -5
Finally , I got around to buying a new battery and charger for my retired 2002 Canon G2 - a refurb clearance camera in the era of the G3 . I was not sure if it was still alive , but it burst into life with a so familiar routine . It has not been used for at least 5 years , but I shall adopt it as not quite pocket camera - with a viewfinder !
It's just 4 meg , but returning to some of my pics , they seem fine . It seems odd , in these days of 10 / 12 ... more pixels in compacts with even smaller sensors , [ and my M8 ] to consider using this camera once more , but the images up to A4 seem more than acceptable .
I wonder sometimes if the post processing demanded of cluttered sensors may not always be a GOOD THING ?
dee
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Post by dee on Sept 29, 2010 15:49:56 GMT -5
Autism plays havoc with RIGHT or NOT RIGHT .
Somehow , Contax / KNeB II and III are RIGHT , but the modified body of the more prolific Kiev 4 with confusing script is very NOT RIGHT . [ there are also engineering compromises in the modified body ]
Restoration of a Contax III demanded two bodies - one fair with collapsible Sonnar and another rough with useless leather covering .
This gave the opportunity of a hybrid Contax IV - not a fake created around a Kiev 4 , but a genuine Contax III body with original shutter etc with an early , better quality , Kiev 4 top , with a rare non ridged cover plate with window to the compact meter .
Again , the broken self timer has been removed , and new texured leather fitted . For me , it completes a Contax set of profiles II , III and the Contax that never was .
This camera has yet to arrive from Kiev , and is eagerly awaited .
dee
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Post by dee on Sept 29, 2010 15:39:12 GMT -5
Eagerly awaited is this restored Rat Contax II from the Kiev Arsenal techs in Ukraine . It's all original given a screw or two and was in poor condition with broken shutter . The broken self timer was removed to create a smoothed look . The metal work was stripped , polished and laquered , so what you see is the raw steel . The covering , discontinued , thinned upholstery leather , is reminiscent of a special edition , hugely expensive Contax in cream with pigskin covering . Ironically , I have a parts Contax II from non matching back and body with Kiev II shutter , which , other than new front leather panels , looks completely original . The ' Sonnar ' shown is a fake - note 5sm instead of 5cm . I have an original Sonnar coming with it . dee
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Post by dee on Sept 25, 2010 13:49:49 GMT -5
Seeing so many compacts around , I wondered if this is just an autism glitch , so thanks for the input .
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Post by dee on Sept 24, 2010 11:44:43 GMT -5
I love my M8 , but not for chasing kids , my bulky Pentax K10D , is excellent , even with manual lenses , my Panasonic L1 works with my old Rokkors [ with tunnel vison ] but I craved a carry all camera - and an AF 50mm prime lens .
I found a refurb EP 1 , and it seemed perfect , but I due to reduced circumstances [ no work ] I would never manage a 50mm equiv lens . I also find screen focusing dee'taches me from the camera , I just can't get along with it . [ autism rules ]
For £260 , I have bought an ex dem , ex showcase , Sony A230 with zoom , which enables my mid 90s Minolta 50 f 1.7 and is lighter and more compact .
I also hope to revive my Canon G2 , as a point and shoot too - the images are quite acceptable , even at 4 meg .
I should receive it next week .
dee
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Post by dee on Sept 18, 2010 11:56:38 GMT -5
I found a near mint-plus-dint Rollei 35 in a charity shop for £5 , which prompted a vaque recollection of a similar £5 outlay upon a Rollei 35T , with considerable dinting , comensurate with being [not] bounced . I assumed that it was dead , but it was so neat .
Sure enough I unearthed it and tried the shutter speeds etc by looking through the lens with the back open .
Frankly , loading seemed a pain until I encountered a Leica II and various Zorkis !
Does anyone know anything about the abilities of these tiny cameras ? Thanks dee
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Post by dee on Jul 28, 2010 15:03:24 GMT -5
The ' no name ' Kiev 4a was a 1962/3 issue for the USA market - when quality was still OK . At the height of the Cold War and Commie fears , a Russian camera would not be acceptable .
dee
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Post by dee on Jul 26, 2010 4:33:10 GMT -5
In 1957 / 8 , at the very beginning of production , Arsenal issued a Kiev 4 with no strenghthening ridges to the cover over the meter , a precise copy of the Contax IIIa meter cover . This plain cover dinted easily , so it was quickly modified to the version seen right through to the end . Another advantage of Kiev cameras in these early years is that quality of engineering , engraving , chrome etc remains high - it is obvious that the Arsenal Engineers were proud of their update , though demands for productivity soon betrayed their intentions . dee
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Post by dee on Jul 24, 2010 14:00:26 GMT -5
It depends weather you like being cramped and clamped .
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Post by dee on Jul 24, 2010 13:57:33 GMT -5
There is a lovely Kiev 4 camera on e-bay at too much money considering how many there are around , but to me it's ' worth it ' just 'cos i have a 1957 / 1959 and a 1958 would cmplete the first Kiev 4 ' trilogy... a 1960 would be good too LOL As I will be literally wiped out following this [ no work and money for ' toys ' , this is a BIG DEAL ]
dee
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Post by dee on Jul 24, 2010 8:32:43 GMT -5
I have a Prinzflex TTL which looks like the Ricoh [ UK 1970 ]
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Post by dee on Jul 24, 2010 8:28:44 GMT -5
I am just pleased that I grabbed my pair when I could - but did not see that many around in the 80s .
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Post by dee on Jul 19, 2010 16:59:37 GMT -5
You here a lot about black Pentaxes / Canons / Nikkormats , but little about the georgeous black SRT .
I used a battered SRT 201 for years until adding a pair of XD7s . I also bought a close out SRT 101b from Dixons when they were finally killed off , but have scarely used it . It was sometime later , that an early Chrome SRT with straight screw heads with box turned up , followed by a lovely black one with 85 f1.7 which needed repair .
A later black SRT with cross head screws was my final addition . They are slightly rounded compared to competitors and look georgeous !
I did not see many black ones , even back in their heyday , and don't see them advertised here and now .
Is this a UK thing , or were there few black SRTs made ?
dee
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Post by dee on Jul 19, 2010 16:49:06 GMT -5
Neat - kind of Zenit C meets Exakta !
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Post by dee on Jul 19, 2010 16:45:38 GMT -5
I always wanted a black Super D - now I have a Leica Digilux 3 / Panasonic L1 body , in a similar style LOL .
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