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Post by John Parry on Jan 6, 2006 13:09:50 GMT -5
Hi All,
Anyone familiar with an Exacta RTL 1000, or a Yashica 230 AF? Just bought both of 'em on the old eBay.
More & more attracted to AF as I descend slowly into my dotage, but what was it like in 1990? And I like the idea of waist level viewfinders in general, and now have 4 (all TLRs), but to be honest, the brightest of the four (by miles) is a Brownie Reflex 20
Let's hope these turn out better than my last couple of forays onto the dark side!!!
Regards - John
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Jan 6, 2006 14:02:17 GMT -5
Hi John, The Exakta RTL 1000 isn't really an 'Exakta' in that it was made by Pentacon after Ihagee was absorbed. It's near enough a Praktica VLC with an Exakta lens mount. You can download a users manual at www.butkus.org/chinon/exakta_rtl1000/exakta_rtl_1000.htmI haven't got an RTL 1000 but I do have a VLC, and it's a nice camera to use. The interchangeable viewfinder is, I find, easier to change than on the older Exaktas. Remember to push the button in while you replace it as well as when you take it out. BTW, the older Exakta interchangeable finders don't fit the RTL, you have to get the proper Pentacon type. Sorry, but I don't know the 230AF at all. Peter |
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Post by John Parry on Jan 9, 2006 17:57:10 GMT -5
Spent a bit too much time on eB@y in the last week. I was actually looking for a Praktica VLC.
In addition to the above RTL1000 and the 230AF (about which there is surprisingly little info on the net, apart from the manual), I seem to have acquired a Praktica BX20S (+ long and short zooms plus 28mm prime), an Exakta Varex IIA (not sure what variation yet) with a 'Jena B1:2 f=58' - looks good but I can't find this combination on the net. Then there was a Zenit-B (because I had to admit to not having a Russian camera in the 'What is your favourite Russian camera post') This is an English printed one with a Helios 2/58 lens. Apparently, it's best point is that unlike the Zenit-E it doesn't have a light meter to go wrong, which I thought sounded a little harsh. You'll realise there weren't too many bidders when I say that the camera cost (considerably) less than the postage.
What else was there? Ah yes... A box of bits. Just what I needed really. Actually, I put in a bid because among the bits are several 'proper' flash units with mirrors and flash bulbs. There's a slide viewer, which I actually do need, plus a Sekonic meter. Oh yes - and a Polaroid Swinger Land Camera and an Ilford Sporti.
Last item was a Hanimex 70 - 300 Praktica PB zoom. I know. But it may just work with an extender, and whether it does or not, it has to be lighter than my current 1.8kg CZJ monster.
Mmmmmm........ 7 cameras - how mad is that? Actually I can't wait. And of course I'll be selling most of them for a large markup at the first opportunity....
Oh yes - the VLC. Got outbid on that by the time I'd already won the other items - lucky really.................
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Post by vintageslrs on Jan 9, 2006 18:47:51 GMT -5
John
Alright!!!!!
way to go!
can't spend too much time on that Evilsite---lol.
sounds like you made some wise purchases and I wish you luck with all of them.
And don't worry as long as you're not spending loads of money on each purchase---you'll be ok and have lots of fun.
And then there is always...Camera Collectors Anonymous....if you get as bad as some of us... ;D
Enjoy
Bob
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Post by John Parry on Jan 10, 2006 3:25:44 GMT -5
Aaaaah....
That's where I've been going wrong Bob -
I thought this was Camera Collectors Anonymous !!!!!
John
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Post by kamera on Jan 10, 2006 11:56:58 GMT -5
Hey...now wait a minute...! This isn't CCA??? John...you and I both were fooled...
I have a recently purchased Zenit b also. Paid $10 for it. It will take M42 lenses, but I wanted a true Russian lens to go with it, so am waiting for a Helios 44-2 to arrive from the Russia. The seller there said it would take 3-4 weeks. I know the only other time I ordered from out of the US was from the Ukraine and it took my Kiev 4M 2 months to get here. The 44-2 was $5 and shipping to US was $15.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by herron on Jan 10, 2006 12:23:58 GMT -5
Too much time on Evilbay? I didn't think that was possible (and my wife will verify that I don't think so)  LOL As to selling at a large markup, John, I've said that too (my wife will also verify that, as well as the fact I still have most of those items)! ;D LOLOL And this has to be CCA...the only thing I haven't seen yet is the official listing of the 12 Steps....  ------ by the way, Ron, I have purchased a lot of things from Russia and the Ukraine. I'd say if you get it in 3-4 weeks that would be better than normal. |
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Post by John Parry on Jan 10, 2006 17:49:20 GMT -5
My name is John and I'm an acquisitive son of a gun!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by vintageslrs on Jan 10, 2006 18:30:34 GMT -5
Your name is John and you are a Cameraholic!!
HI JOHN!!!!!
Bob
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Post by luke on Jan 10, 2006 19:20:20 GMT -5
Ron, I think CCA is a great concept. Whenever I want a new camera, I call an old friend and tell him - he comes over and we have a few pints together until I feel better - Only then do I make my bid on the **Bay.
Luke
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Post by herron on Jan 10, 2006 22:51:58 GMT -5
Luke, that's a great idea! LOL ;D
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Post by John Parry on Jan 12, 2006 15:49:16 GMT -5
Stuff started turning up now. The Hanimex lens looks beautiful - a nice piece of kit. Took my Fuji Instax out of the box and burst out laughing. Ever seen one? It's like a cartoon camera - brilliant! I intend to get a couple of film packs and have some fun with that.
The Zenit-B turned up. Looked through the viewfinder and found total fuzz. Cosmetically, it's in very nice shape, but as I was handling it I could hear a clunking sound. Knowing nothing about Russian cameras I wasn't sure if this was par for the course, but then I took the lens off. The back element of the lens had become unscrewed and had fallen inside the camera. Rapidly fished it out, screwed it back in and tried again.
Viewfinder perfectly clear and wonderfully bright. Need to pull up a manual, as it really seems unconventional, but everything seems to work. The interior is immaculate.
Possible that the lens element fell off after it was despatched , but the viewfinder image must have been seriously out of focus. The seller must have decided not to mention it. It cost me £3.20 ($5?). One for me for a change!!
Regards - John
ps Ron - the Zenit lens is a Helios 44-2 f2 58mm Very clear and smooth. Well worth waiting for!
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Post by kamera on Jan 12, 2006 19:30:28 GMT -5
John,
I located a good Zenit manual at...www.commiecameras.com
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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LOL