Another noob

iamjanco · Apr 21, 2009

Hi folks, another noobie to the forum here. A little bit about me:

I've lived upstate NY for the past four years or so, but recently moved to a cabin in the Adirondacks, in a place called Saranac Inn, right at the northern-most tip of Upper Saranac Lake. It's a great location for landscapes and wildlife pix.

Though I own a Nikon D300 outfit, I recently picked up an RB67 Pro S with all the trimmings, including the C versions of the 50mm, 65mm and 180mm lenses. I've never done any work with a medium format camera, but I did dabble in 4x5 (Linhof Technika) back in the '80's. I also had my own darkroom back in those days (Durst AC707 & a Jobo CPA) as well as a homemade studio, and weaned myself on a Nikon F2 starting back about '74 or so, while I was in Europe.

Anyway, that's me. My Weston V should arrive any day now, and I'm looking forward to being an active participant in the group.

Jan C.

IloveTLRs · Apr 22, 2009

Welcome to APUG

RB67s are all over the place .. at least, here in Japan they are. Guess all the pros are dumping them. Their loss is our gain

Darkroom317 · Apr 22, 2009

I too just recently got a RB67 Pro-S. I've only ran three rolls through it. Came with the 90mm 3.8 C. I immediately bought the 180mm; don't have it yet.
The RB67 Pro-S is an amazing camera. I just love the revolving back, and the strange looks I got from people when I took it downtown with me this weekend.

Anscojohn · Apr 22, 2009

Welcome, Jan C. from the National Capitol Area. A colleague once told me understanding the dial of the Weston V was the key to understanding exposure. He was right.

Jeff Kubach · Apr 22, 2009

Hello from Richmond, Va. I also have an RB67.

Jeff

panastasia · Apr 22, 2009

Jan C, welcome from the Boston area. I also own an RB. I like things that don't need batteries - cameras, meters, watches, altimeters, etc.
Paul

Ralph Javins · Apr 22, 2009

Good morning, Jan;

Welcome to the group. You have already discovered thar the RB67 can be fun. Yes, carrying a medium format camera around in a large city will usually generate some really curious looks. You might even get the classical inquiry; "Is that a Hasselblad?"

Congratulations on the relocation to Lake Saranac. My memories of driving through there back in the 1960's are still quite nice.

AnscoJohn has indicated that your choice of the Weston Master V is an excellent choice. I agree, and it does not need a battery. My own is now enroute to Quality Light Metric for a needed repair. The old selenium cell may have finally given up, or a connection has opened up. It has been remarkably reliable. My older Weston Master II is still going, but my eyes are no longer equal to the very fine print on the dial of the Master II.

Eric Rose · Apr 22, 2009

Just an unrelated question. When did newbie become noob? Does it mean something different?

Darkroom317 · Apr 22, 2009

No, it means the same thing. Not sure when the new term came about.

papagene · Apr 22, 2009

Jan - welcome to APUG from western Massachusetts. My dad is originally from near that area... Lyon Mountain, NY. I haven't had the pleasure of visiting the area, would like to someday.

gene

Christopher Walrath · Apr 22, 2009

RB67's seem to be the pill of choice for sufferers of G. A. S. this year, yours truly included.

Welcome to the forum.

iamjanco · Apr 22, 2009

Thanks, all, for the very warm welcome!

I've been reading through the forum for the past few weeks and have noted the great climate you have here in comparison to a number of the digital-camera forums I subscribe to. Maybe that has something to do with the general demeanor of those who continue to pursue film photography. I tend to think of the differences somewhat in terms of a parable, where the inexperienced come across someone with an expensive camera and ask whether it takes good pictures or not. As the old saying goes, a good photographer can take great pictures with a ten dollar Brownie. While the guy with the $8,000 D3X might have little more than a heck of a showpiece.

Seen on a billboard on the way to Yosemite Park: Camera doth not maketh the man, uh, photo.

Jan

P.S. What used to be a ten dollar brownie can probably be had for a lot less today. It's not quite a collector's item yet

Pumal · Apr 22, 2009

Wellcome. I lived in Upstate NY many years. Cartier Bresson never boght a second lens. I have a RB6X7 Pro S. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do.

removed-user-1 · Apr 22, 2009

The RB67 is a remarkable camera; I got mine near the end of 2008 with 65mm and 127mm C lenses. I too love the camera, the images it is capable of, and the odd looks people give me when I lug it down the street on a big tripod over my shoulder, with cable releases dangling from the lens and the body. Good times!

Q.G. · Apr 23, 2009

Pumalite said:
Cartier Bresson never boght a second lens.

Oh, yes he did!

Rick A · Apr 23, 2009

Welcome from "the land of the endless mountains" north central Pennsylvania. You are at one of my favorite places on earth! i lived in Oswego N.Y. in the 70s and traveled most of the Dax for the company I worked for. Of course, my cameras were ALWAYS with me. Enjoy your new surroundings, and SHoot as much film as possible. BTW-get over to the Ausable Gorge this spring while its "greening",and take the ferry over to Burlington, Vt. Dang-I'm jealous of you!!!
Rick

paul ron · Apr 23, 2009

Man, this sounds like an RB AA meeting. Hi I'm Paul Ron NYC and I am addicted to RB67s since they first hit the streets. For that matter I'm addicted to any n all classic film cameras. I fix, use, live and eat RBs and can't go a minute without one or I get the DTs.

Enjoy your camera and that is a beautiful area you are in. I hope to see some of your pictures soon.

****BTW get the users manual and wahtever you do DON'T FORCE YOUR CAMERA IF IT GETS JAMMED! Most damage is from force, most times it's user error, not mechanical. Forgot the darkslide, an interlock is preventing you from shooting or you put something on or hit sometiung wrong. Stop what you are doing and go over everything and if you can't solve the problem, post it here and everyone will be more than happy to help you solve the problem.

iamjanco · Apr 23, 2009

Thanks again, guys.

Rick: one of the trips I've already planned is to Ausable Gorge, next month. Things should be greening up by then, though it's still somewhat cold here at night.

Ron: I know what you mean about not forcing *anything* on this beast. Should've seen me before the instructions arrived, trying to figure out how to fit a lens to the body. You probably would have had a good laugh. 120 back on, cock the shutter, cock the mirror, etc. Did that. Try to release the shutter; oh, you got to take the dark slide out.

Anyway, I'll be shooting a mix of b&w and color. I used to prefer negative film over slide film because of negative film's color density range, but I'm wondering if that matters anymore with today's films, given what's available. You guys have any recommendations as far as landscapes are concerned?

Jan

largely · Apr 23, 2009

Hi Jan,
Welcome from southern California.
Like you I caught the RB bug a couple of weeks ago. It appears there is no known cure for this malady. Going to shoot this weekend in our local mountains. Praying for good conditions.
You won't find a better place to hang your hat anywhere on the web. Lots of knowledgeable and really pleasant folks. Hope you enjoy the Rb and your new home.

Larry

EdColorado · Apr 24, 2009

Welcome Jan, from another RB67 Junkie! Pauls right, this place is AA for RBaholics except we never try to break the habit! I haven't been out to PA in a while but was born out there. I seem to remember it was loverly. Cant complain though, I live about 25 minutes outside of Rocky Mountain Nat. Park and if all goes well will have my RB up there tomorrow.
For a film recommendation I'd say Fuji Velvia 50. I just love the colors and man do they look good on the light table.

chioque · Apr 24, 2009

Where can we find reasonably priced Rolleiflex online

I am eagerly looking to reacquaint myself with a rolleiflex, which I foolishly sold before. I had the 2.8f Planar before.

I would really appreciate it if any of you knowledgeable forumers can point to online shops or places I can buy one reasonably priced. I am from Malaysia, so my choices are limited when it comes to brick&mortar shops, so my only choices are online ones.

Pumal · Apr 24, 2009

Q.G. said:
Oh, yes he did!

Must have been a second 'normal' lens.
Edit: I think he once bought a telephoto for Landscapes

Another noob

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