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Post by dee on May 31, 2023 9:15:46 GMT -5
Old film cameras need film. Digitals need batteries .
I have decided to reactivate the Leica M8 and Leica Digilux 3 / L1 ,inheritance funded, purely for the joy of using something more .... in touch? with my snapshooting . The Dig 3 needs a Minolta MD adapter which enables me to actually focus trough very squinty finder , which is a slight relief from electronic viewing. The Dig3 and L1 are 4/3rds DSLRs masquerading as rangefinders , much in the way of Fuji .
Wth the Md lenses , there is an aperture ring which I have missed.
It's odd that these were my sole cameras until convinced to join the DSL bandwagon with a Pentax K10D. I mean it was more uptodate ... downhill all the way ,until Fuji , with its more analogue interface , the bulky DSLRs seemed somewhat distanced from the subject .
They are 7mp and 10mp , but my old files/pictures are non the worse for it . The Fujis range fro 16mp to 24mp which is more than I will ever need .
I won't be doing film, but this my retro circa 2007 renaissance .
Regards dee
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Post by dee on May 15, 2023 5:02:34 GMT -5
Hi Due to the cost of film, I haves moved to Fuji as the closest form to analogue. However my Minoltas and various Soviet camera still lurk around . Here are two very modified Kievs , both formed from a scrap Kiev II and genuine Contax III. I am careful to describe them as Kiev as they were made from a contact in Kiev by ex-Arsenal techs. It appears that many early Kievs were updated by fitting Kiev 4 top plates/meter/and controls. The owners had little choice as camera were an enormous outlay and Kiev III had a massive top heavy meter. Although the K4 meter mirrors the later Contax , it is the same as the Contax/Kiev III reduced in height. Both have the rarer 1957 K4 top plates fitted [ later K4 had strengthening ribs added to the meter top section near the hot shoe , an area of weakness.] Why ?? I like using the meter , and the later Kievs were revised to eliminate the foot and adapt the back. They also fit the early case , not that I would use one . Just a silly thing taking advantage of the situation! I have another two Kiev II rebuilt in Ukraine around a scrap Contax II which needed just a few screws to sort it and another where I was given a set of Contax parts missing the shutter, so it's late Kiev with brand new old stock shutter at heart. I am very conscious of the sensitivity of Contax enthusiasts retaining the authenticity of the camera at great expense , but both the arsenal Guys and Oleg lack nothing in expertise when it comes to these complicated beasts . It's just the West's perception of Soviet cameras which have been butchered o keep then running for decades. Check out Vintage Camera for Oleg . It was not long after this that I could not afford film , so they retired too early . I have a glitch , actually several , making it tricky to read cyrillic script , it disturbs me , so my Kievs are manly block KNEB or Contax face plates . I have avoided those fake Contax made form late Kiev4 or 4a. The exception with script , are a pair from the Guru Oleg , now sporting either purple or tan leather coverings and new old stock meter cellsThe meter is reasonably accurate , should you have some idea as to how to adjust for the wide input or sunny 16 . The labels are just a bit of fun with the very original logo printed of silver paper . Plus a 1979 mint and boxed imported it UK from Optical and Technical in the 70s.At the time , 1975? I really wanted one but finances prohibited. regards dee
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Post by dee on Aug 29, 2022 15:22:05 GMT -5
Recently Fuji bought out a 35mmF2 xc budget lens which I have just ordered . Currently I have the 18-55 , 16-50 and 27.
The 3 year old 16-50 has just died - with a repair cost of £100 , the 35 is just £160 so I can live without this lightweight lens . Cost of living is putting paid to my camera indulgence and my Soviet Cameras are not selling well on e-bay , probably due to the horrific events in Ukraine .
This is fine , I am not into long zooms and I have my old Minolta 35-80 on the digital Sony A35 plus the 35 f1.8. But the handling and EVF , with fixed mirror , is not a patch on the Fuji X-T1 which is reminiscent of my Minoltas .
The 35/50 is a kind of comfort zone to me , harking back 40 years to my 1st SLR with it's 50mm f1.7 .
After 6 years of Fuji I have indulged in a Minolta SR adapter to revisit my 50mm Rokkors . I also have a 42mm to Minolta adapter , to use a Cosina lens from my 1st Cosina Clone SLR of 1972 . learning curve comping up !
I know the crop creates a nominal 75 mm , but its more revisiting the feel of those original lenses . I will also like to use the 135mm f3.5 rokkor and it becomes a lightweight nominal 200 on the Fujis. I have adapted it previously to a 4/3rs DSLR and it was amazing until the all too thin adapter almost broke my Leica Digilux 3 , but the crop to 27o was awesome for such a tiny , light lens !
regards dee
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Post by dee on Aug 7, 2022 8:36:20 GMT -5
I have a 35mm for the Sony A290 which is hardly used since the onset of Fuji . However , I took it out briefly and the old MInota SRT / 50mm magic was revived . It was the only focal length that I did not feel I was missing anything . The Fuji 27mm is OK , but I would love the more 'comfortable/intuitive 35/50. Admittedly , I stick with architecture , details , landscapes etc . Unfortunately , I ddi not hang on to any 35s from Minolta , and not sure about focusing manually these days . I wonder about your thoughts on this somewhat superseded lens ? The 50 helped my focus by eliminating the confusing background and isolating me from the mind mist . Regards dee
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Post by dee on Jun 12, 2021 16:29:34 GMT -5
I seem to be more away with the fairies than ever ! I don't really relate to people and am probably on the ASD spectrum - falling back on 'toys' for familiarity . I am being pressurised to clear my very retired film cameras. Let's be honest , I am 75 ,I don't use them , it's just nostalgia and there is too much for my daughter to sort out when the time comes .
I am quite content with my digitals from Leica M8 to Fujifilm X-Pro2 , and viral in between - a mini collection in itself .
How can I make the text bigger , don't see so great these days [ daze] ?
Thanks dee
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Post by dee on May 7, 2021 13:12:26 GMT -5
Just an update - With a Fuji X-T100 and new X-Pro2 body , the X-Pro1 and X-T1 are firmly in the collectors corner ! I am not saying that they will not get out at times , but generally semi-retired . Gotta trim out some ex-USSR cameras shortly .... !
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Post by dee on Sept 9, 2020 2:45:46 GMT -5
The cost of the X-Pro2 entirely covered by exhausting e-bay sales with awkward buyers . It's still worth it though . Now have to tackle the Kev excess .
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Post by dee on Sept 1, 2020 12:39:19 GMT -5
I Gathered in all 17 Kievs with a sensible view of releasing some fund to but a Fujifilm lens . It did not work - I could not let go . I even found myself reinstating the tan covering of Kev 4 bought over a decade ago . I guess they are for the long term ! dee
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Post by dee on Aug 24, 2020 6:44:35 GMT -5
To date , my Fujifilm 'collection' has been fuelled as much by each subsequent lens , as much as the cameras .
X-Pro1 + 27 = Malaysia holiday street camera .£380 X-M1 - bargain-basement = 16-50 .£220 X-T1 - ex-dem = 18-55 £450
The X-T100 was a gift = 15-45 which is a great light weight lens for carrying around .
All variants upon my preferred range from old 35mm-around 75mm .
However , the new X-Pro2 is about extending the experience of the X-Pro1 - with the optical finder .
It's maybe not quite so indulgent as i am making e-bay sales of around £500 , helped by a gold Contax T2 which seems to be popular . Maybe the eventual outlay will be £650 - £500 = £150 , which is fine by me as the XT1 body was originally in the frame for dispersal . Letting go has proved to be as problematic as ever , but various USSR cameras are being recycled via e-bay - which has changed out of all recognition in the last 20 years !!
I don't think I am actually ' collecting ' Fujis , it kind grew from mid 2016 . I shall say one thing - no digital camera since the Leica Digilux 3 and Panasonic L1 has gelled with me - until the Fujifilm experience . It's as if it is a film style renaissance.
At 73 , I need all I can grab in the lightness , anti-arthritis , department , and the cameras have helped me through Eliza's cancer and continuing side effects and appointments . Thanks dee
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Post by dee on Aug 9, 2020 5:11:45 GMT -5
I second the Digilux3 and L1 , both of which I still enjoy .
But my Fuji X-T1 /X-Pro 1 digital bodies are just about £200 on resale , so are 'worth' a lot more to me than the monetary gain .
It is probably due to the accelerated rate of ' improvement ' which manufacturers seek to encourage us . Maybe digitals will be hang onto , rather that actively 'collected '.
A 'collection ' by de-fault ?
dee
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Post by dee on Aug 9, 2020 5:01:45 GMT -5
On 7th May 2019 , morning my Cochlear Implant turned on . Afternoon , Eliza confirmed with neck cancer ... She now has the all clear , but no guaranties of course and residual effects of radiotherapy .
At least , now I cam 'talk' about it almost rationally .
It kept me going with 2hr visits to London for appointments and operation , and just before lockdown , for radiotherapy in Chelsea which involved a 30min bus ride through an increasingly deserted London .
A camera focused my mind away from the anxiety - although I had no idea of the intensity util a kind of cloud was lifted with the [almost] all clear .
Initially , it was around the Thames , being a tourist in my home town , trying to avoid the hordes - or finding shots the hid the chaos . Then 6 weeks of that bus ride , top deck front day and night taken from a moving , or waiting bus .
The cameras are Fujifilm ,X-T1 / X-Pro1 , even X-M1 compact , the 1st digitals to evoke that SLR 'feel' . They were never intended to be 'collected ' , the X-Pro was bought really cheaply with 27mm for a trip to Malaysia . The X-M1 even less outlay for the 16-50 zoom ... The X-T 1 , I admit was because of it's SLR style reduced to my modest budget . This gave me the superb 18-55 .
I recognise , now that the old 35-80 suits me perfectly , I hardly ever use a longer focal length , other than a 35-80 cropped to 50-120 on the only A35 .
Frankly , despite all the hype in some circles , I can' differential the snap shots/files - all enjoy that 16mp sensor .
I have just bought the X-Pro2 , for no reason , but I wished to continue with that OVF but with greater control over focusing . Maybe the X-Pro1 will go , but I need to get accustomed to it 1st .
Incidentally , many of my old film cameras are going on to e-bay as , at 73 , i have to have a clear out !!
Thanks dee
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Post by dee on Jun 20, 2020 12:48:15 GMT -5
Update , if anyone is 'listening'. Bit tough because my wife in enduring neck cancer , awaiting results of exhausting radiotherapy which seems to zap , hearing , vision , taste , and whatever else . She still insists on doing everything - even worrying about my difficulties .
During 6 weeks of train plus bus from Waterloo to Chelsea , London became even more of a ghost town which , captured on a Fuji , seemed surreal . When the therapy was over , we faced lockdown , with me even banned fro the supermarket , stuck in the car .
The Fuji syndrome has grown a bit , A cheap X-M1 acquired for the 16-50 zoom to use on the X-Pro . IN fact the screen only X-M1 proved ideal at bus shots as the EVF was useless . an SLR styled X-T1 followed - at 1/3rd of the original price of course . Lately I was gifted with an X-T100 with lightweight 15-50 zoom in similar SLR styling ,but in gem like Champagne .
The intention was NOT to collect , but I really did cry out for an SLR styled digital , however , they all near me at home and are a genuine comfort , as are my Kontaxes and SRTs . Even the Sony A290 waits by the window chasing clouds and changes to trees in the valley . I love that CCD sensor .
I have come across my 1st 35mm camera , Adox Golf 1a - simple oblong box from 1963 - which my daughter will obtain for me . Keep safe . dee
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Post by dee on May 29, 2020 3:16:34 GMT -5
Guilty as charged , I have dropped out a bit as I have given up on chasing film cameras . I don't even use my Contax/Kiev hybrids any more and have cleared all the Leica II and IIIc .
Neither do I get out as much since retiring from London where I would always take either a film camera or dastardly digital . With advent of a Cochlear Implant , I lost balance and hand / eye coordination which has not helped with heavier cameras , digital or other wise . The Pentax K10d , still going strong , is too bulky and heavy for me .
My wife has been battling face cancer for over a year with some awful side effects . A camera was invaluable when visiting her in Guys hospital , shooting along the river . I also felt guilty enjoying the bus ride from Waterloo to Chelsea for her radiotherapy appointments - one of four Fujichrome cameras plus I-phone keeping me focused . Her treatments anded just when the lockdown started , so worrying shots of empty streets and stations . Few photos post lockdown though. We do not know what the future holds but keep going somehow.
i have added to the Fuji Family over the years -
2016 X-Pro1 / 27mm 2017 X-M1 kit zoom 16-50 2018 X-T1 better kit zoom 18-55 f2.8/4 2019 X-T100 [ standar sensor / Champagne ] electric zoom .
All acquired new / ex-dem / clear out .
There is an interesting conclusion from this - the Fujis keep me grounded in uncertain times . , and any lans from around 24/28mm to 100mm old money [ 18-55 / 16-50 ] is perfect for my limited interests and ability . the old Sony A290 / A 390 have telephotos is required with lovely CCD close and the restrictions of ISO 100/200 so familiar with film , and quite light and basic .
I tend to swap lenses to create the lightest camera to carry around , although the quirky X-Pro is best with the pancake 27mm using the OVF guessing framing . Yes , I collect Digitals !! Regards dee
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Post by dee on Aug 19, 2019 8:12:33 GMT -5
I wonder if I am alone in being unable to let go of previous digital cameras created over a decade - hardly any time compared to film cameras - but significant in the emergence of sensor improvements [ or otherwise [ still love those CCD colours which means hanging onto older digitals ].
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Post by dee on Aug 15, 2019 17:04:01 GMT -5
Recently my wife faced an operation to remove a cancerous growth behind the ear and neck and throat leaving intensive scarring . I visited at Guys Hospital each day , always with a camera , i hated being home alone and would go early hanging around in the cafe and along the Thames .
I HAD to carry one of the Fujis - either X-Pro1 27mm or X-t1 18-55 .
She is home now cancer cut out , but cannot swallow , so temporarily uses a feed line . At least I am not home alone anticipating the worse .
There are still many appointments ,so we are accustomed to visiting london , although she does not wish me to come in to the various treatments .
Just today , a camera helped me capture clouds over the Thames and Tower Bridge .
This time , however , I charged up the largely retired Panasonic L1 'brick' with Olympus 14-42 - zoom used £250 a decade ago with smaller £100 Olympus lens added as 4/3rds SLRs died out . Of course , Minolta AF has also died with the encroachment of mirrorless. Have not had much luck previously !! The viewfinder is squinty , the focusing archaic , 7 mp , but i love it ! It was a return to absolute ease .something I never thought I would find again until stumbling on the Fujis .
This , and the twin Leica Digilux 3 and the Fujis are the only digitals which create such a a comfort zone , alongside Minolta SRT and Contax/Kiev . The Fujis are degraded to point and shoot , using the exposure compensation dial , the l1 runs on shutter priority at 400 ISO ,cos I can guess the required aperture from SRT days .
I am past worrying about why , or apologising for how it is / I am .
I could not acre less about the features etc of the Fujis [ the L1 / Dig 3 don't have any except a useful 90% pop up flash ]
Back again tomorrow - L1 ready.
dee
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