BEGINNER QUESTIONS

BADGER.BRAD · Apr 27, 2017

Hello all,

A couple of years ago I inherited a number of cameras and camera equipment from my late father, these have sat in a cupboard not being used with my intention being to sell them at some point. Last weekend I went to Whitby Goth festival and was photographed by a number of people who gave me thier card then later sent me copies. Until this point I had forgotten just how good photos can be having only taken photos with a phone. I started to catologue what I have with the intention of selling the equipment then trying to get a used DSLR then after having a play with the cameras have decided to give them a go first then if I don't get the bug I can just sell them anyway. I have lots of questions but to start with will just ask a couple do the cameras need batteries and what are the different lenses for plus is there a type of film which would be best or do I just go for general 35mm film.The equipment I have is as follows Jenaflex AMI electronic , Practica b100 and a zenith TTL then a number of 35mm point and press (a bit of a waste of time as I also have a number of point and press digital Cameras) then I have 3 flash units a sunpak auto 140/Starblitz 200a quick and a Jenazoom auto 3600, two light meters ,then a number of lenses, a Prakticar 28/135mc a Prakticar 2.8/28 and a sirius zoom lense Plus other filters and X2 macro lenses and original camera lenses in boxes.I feel drawn to the B100 but have had a look and there is not battery has anyone any idea of the battery type ?
Any help would be appreciated.

Brad

darkosaric · Apr 27, 2017

Hi Brad,

Welcome to APUG .

For start don't sell any of equipment - I am not sure how old are you, but it is possible that later in couple of years you will have sentimental values for this equipment (even if you don't have it now). You can get not so much money - Practica, Zenith... they go for peanuts - and they are good cameras.
About batteries: could be that other will answer, but best way is to google one camera by one - you will find specs, with battery type.

shutterfinger · Apr 27, 2017

http://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/jenaflex_am-1.pdf uses a Mallory PX28 or equivalent 6V silver oxide battery.
http://www.cameramanuals.org/praktica_pdf/praktica_b100.pdf uses a Mallory PX28 or equivalent 6V silver oxide battery.
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/russian/zenith_ttl/zenith_ttl.pdf
http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/starblitz_2000-btz.pdf

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/

A search engine is your friend. Happy reading.

tedr1 · Apr 27, 2017

Do you wish to make color prints or black and white? For color prints chose a color print film (color negative) and locate the most convenient service to process the film and make prints. You will receive back from them the original film cut into short sections and the prints you chose. Most print services do not print "mistakes" so your roll of film, say 24 exposures, may not yield 24 prints.

With black and white you chose black and white film for prints (negative film) and you have the choice of sending the film for processing and printing or doing it yourself. Among the choices of the processing and printing service is that of the UK company Ilford www.ilfordphoto.com who are a major manufacturer of black and white film, paper and chemistry for home developing and printing, they also offer a postal service.

Look for a lens marked "50mm" this is the normal lens for everyday use. Numbers smaller than 50mm, for example 35mm, are known as wide angle lenses. Lenses with numbers higher than 50mm are known as telephoto lenses. Experiment with how the world appears through the viewfinder when the lens is changed.

BADGER.BRAD · Apr 28, 2017

Thanks everyone for the info,much appreciated (I'm 48 years old by the way). I've noticed that some of the film processing companies will provide the photos on CD is this a good Idea or is the quality lost by doing this ? I'll find a battery today and some colour film so I can start having a play.

Thanks again

Brad

blockend · Apr 28, 2017

BADGER.BRAD said:
Thanks everyone for the info,much appreciated (I'm 48 years old by the way). I've noticed that some of the film processing companies will provide the photos on CD is this a good Idea or is the quality lost by doing this ? I'll find a battery today and some colour film so I can start having a play.

Thanks again

Brad

The quality of CD scans from film varies, generally speaking the more you pay, the more data you get. You can buy a cheap or expensive film scanner and none of them are bad, or some people use a DSLR to scan (maybe a friend has one?). Having your own scanner is more convenient and less expensive. Did you know Poundland sells film - Agfa Vista 200 (re-branded Fujicolor 200)? Shooting film can be relatively inexpensive if you buy wisely.

darkosaric · Apr 28, 2017

If possible do the negative developing only with index print. Then choose what to print on paper, and then make actual paper prints. 10-20 years from now - all CD's, had disks and so on will be either broken, damaged, or hard to read. Paper is the most durable - and your successors (kids, or whoever) will look on the actual prints, but CD's and old ancient hard drives - I don't think so.

Sewin · Apr 28, 2017

Hi Again Brad,

From that Cycling Forum!!!

Salar.

BADGER.BRAD · Apr 28, 2017

Helo Sewin/salar, I've decided to go with the B100 as I have a few lenses which fit but love the feel of it. I'm going to do another post on using this camera so if you can give me any pointers it would be appreciated.

Brad

Sewin · Apr 28, 2017

BADGER.BRAD said:
Helo Sewin/salar, I've decided to go with the B100 as I have a few lenses which fit but love the feel of it. I'm going to do another post on using this camera so if you can give me any pointers it would be appreciated.

Brad

Hi Brad,

Check out the "Praktica Appreciation Thread" on here. The B100 gets quite a mention.
Wished I kept mine now!

shutterfinger · Apr 28, 2017

blockend said:
Agfa Vista 200 (re-branded Fujicolor 200)

When a company makes a film for another company they either alter their current formula or they use the other company's formula.
I the case of Agfa Photo its Agfa Photo's formula that Fuji is making and labeling Agfa Vista.
Afga Gavaert closed the photo division in the early 2000's. The photo division sued the parent company, won, and reestablished as Agfa Photo, a separate company, and began licensing Agfa products rather than operate production facilites themselves.

Cholentpot · Apr 28, 2017

Don't knock the Point and Shoots! I made that mistake starting out. Film P&S are not the same as digital. Film P&S can have amazing quality. The film remains the same. With digital a small camera can mean smaller sensor. I'm still kicking myself for passing up a 35Ti when I was starting out. $15 in a thrift shop...

John Bragg · Apr 28, 2017

Cholentpot said:
Don't knock the Point and Shoots! I made that mistake starting out. Film P&S are not the same as digital. Film P&S can have amazing quality. The film remains the same. With digital a small camera can mean smaller sensor. I'm still kicking myself for passing up a 35Ti when I was starting out. $15 in a thrift shop...

I second that remark. Some of my most treasured shots have been with humble point and shoot cameras. They have a happy nack of being easily portable and it is wise to keep one loaded and available for those times when you really weren't expecting to be taking photos but see the opportunity. As they say, "the best camera is the one you have with you".

Cholentpot · Apr 28, 2017

John Bragg said:
I second that remark. Some of my most treasured shots have been with humble point and shoot cameras. They have a happy nack of being easily portable and it is wise to keep one loaded and available for those times when you really weren't expecting to be taking photos but see the opportunity. As they say, "the best camera is the one you have with you".

I have near 30 SLRs and Rangefinders. I've yet to find a good Point and Shoot. I keep looking though...

John Bragg · Apr 28, 2017

Cholentpot said:
I have near 30 SLRs and Rangefinders. I've yet to find a good Point and Shoot. I keep looking though...

What have you tried ? None are perfect, but I have a soft spot for the Olympus Mju I (stylus infinity) and the Canon Sureshot Supreme. Both have sharp fixed focal length lenses and turn in good results. They are not as versatile as SLR or Rangefinder cameras but they are what they are. Compact and ready at a moments notice.

wiltw · Apr 28, 2017

BADGER.BRAD said:
Thanks everyone for the info,much appreciated (I'm 48 years old by the way). I've noticed that some of the film processing companies will provide the photos on CD is this a good Idea or is the quality lost by doing this ? I'll find a battery today and some colour film so I can start having a play.

Thanks again

Brad

The overall resolution from film processing digitization is horrid... files of 1-2MB are the result, unless someone has seriously improved upon this!

Sirius Glass · Apr 28, 2017

Welcome to APUG

Do not sell any equipment. Learn about what you have, choose one and learn how to use it. The more you learn about a camera and what it can do, the better you will understand what you have and the value and use of each.

AgX · Apr 28, 2017

shutterfinger said:
When a company makes a film for another company they either alter their current formula or they use the other company's formula.
I the case of Agfa Photo its Agfa Photo's formula that Fuji is making and labeling Agfa Vista.

Afga Gevaert closed the photo division in the early 2000's. The photo division sued the parent company, won, and reestablished as Agfa Photo, a separate company, and began licensing Agfa products rather than operate production facilites themselves.

Where did you get that information?
It does not even make sense.

Agfa did not close their photo division, but sold their consumer division, it went bancrupt about 9 months later

Alan Gales · Apr 28, 2017

wiltw said:
The overall resolution from film processing digitization is horrid... files of 1-2MB are the result, unless someone has seriously improved upon this!

My local camera store will scan your negatives for you and put them on a disc. It's fine for the web if that's all you want to do. It is a little pricey though.

shutterfinger · Apr 28, 2017

AgX said:
Agfa did not close their photo division, but sold their consumer division, it went bancrupt about 9 months later

The news links on the agfaphoto web site that told about Agfa Gavaert declaring the photo division bankrupt then closing the division, the resulting law suit, and the win for agfaphoto have been removed.
I read it on the Agfa Gavaert/AgfaPhoto when the lawsuit was active.

AgX · Apr 29, 2017

You mixed up things.

Ricardo Miranda · Apr 29, 2017

shutterfinger said:
When a company makes a film for another company they either alter their current formula or they use the other company's formula.
I the case of Agfa Photo its Agfa Photo's formula that Fuji is making and labeling Agfa Vista.

That is also incorrect.
It is known as blockend said that the existent Agfaphoto Vista Plus 200 is Fuji C200. The emulsion codes are the same.

blockend · Apr 29, 2017

shutterfinger said:
When a company makes a film for another company they either alter their current formula or they use the other company's formula.
I the case of Agfa Photo its Agfa Photo's formula that Fuji is making and labeling Agfa Vista.
Afga Gavaert closed the photo division in the early 2000's. The photo division sued the parent company, won, and reestablished as Agfa Photo, a separate company, and began licensing Agfa products rather than operate production facilites themselves.

It's impossible to be sure, but the rebate code is identical to Fujicolor 200, as is the appearance. It's last generation technology, so no R&D costs to recover. I doubt whether the manufacturer would develop a new coating when an existing formula is on the company books. The previous film Poundland stocked was Fuji C200. Coincidence?

Edit: Ricardo Miranda made a similar point.

shutterfinger · Apr 29, 2017

AgX said:
You mixed up things.

Interesting how things get reported and changed in corporate litigations and settlements. Its not important enough to dig up old news reports.
You can beat the dead horse if you wish.

Ricardo Miranda said:
That is also incorrect.
It is known as blockend said that the existent Agfaphoto Vista Plus 200 is Fuji C200. The emulsion codes are the same.

blockend said:
It's impossible to be sure, but the rebate code is identical to Fujicolor 200, as is the appearance. It's last generation technology, so no R&D costs to recover. I doubt whether the manufacturer would develop a new coating when an existing formula is on the company books. The previous film Poundland stocked was Fuji C200. Coincidence?

I will believe it when I hear it straight from Fuji. I have some Neopan in route as T Max 100 is not currently available and APX 100 is not available in 120 or 4x5. It is the first Fuji film I have purchased in 25 years.
Its easy to change a chemical or dye used in processing the film, running off a batch, then switching to another without encountering a big expense. Odds are the expense is minimal.
Another dead horse to beat on.

Cholentpot · Apr 29, 2017

John Bragg said:
What have you tried ? None are perfect, but I have a soft spot for the Olympus Mju I (stylus infinity) and the Canon Sureshot Supreme. Both have sharp fixed focal length lenses and turn in good results. They are not as versatile as SLR or Rangefinder cameras but they are what they are. Compact and ready at a moments notice.

I'm on the lookout for an XA and Mju. My issue is I don't want to lay down any money for one. There are a whole load of them blowing around in the wild and I'm not splashing $50-100 on BayE for one. Some day one will roll across my path. The ones that I've played with so far have zooms and autohoozits I don't want. Fix focal and manual to a degree is what I'm holding out for.

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