Hi folks, and other matters.

[Galah]

Apparently I'm not yet a fully fledged subscriber, but here I am (thankfully) at last!

I have been "lurking for some time, now I'll be able to participate -at last.

I have been itching to ask for some information from other subscribers and to share my interest in "veteran" 35mm cameras.

First up: has anyone any information on an "Astron MC 80-250mm 'Macro'" zoom lens.

I found this lens in a "well used" but functional condition at a local charity shop in Pentax K-mount for Aus$5-00.

I have already put a roll of Fuji Superia ISO 400 past it and have been more than satisfied with the result, especially for $5-00, but would appreciate any info.

As time permits, I intend to participate more.

So long for now.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Hi and welcome, Galah. If there was a problem with the process of subscribing, may I suggest that you send a PM to the man in charge, Sean, and he will sort you out (just put "Sean" in the recipient field).

Where in Australia are you by the way?

Sorry I don't know much about the Astron lens but I'm sure you'll get some useful help here.

 

[Galah]

Thanks for the welcome, Kevin. I'm out of Adelaide (a Crow-Eater ). I have about a dozen 35mm film cameras (ranging from a Voigtlander Vito II to a Minolta 5000si and a Canon EOS 50), the most recently acquired being a pair of Olympus Trip 35s (an earlier and a later edition), both of which work very well indeed: no batteries, selenium cell metering, purely automatic function with "zone" focusing (my bug-bear, as I often forget to reset the focus).

The Olympus Trip 35s ($8-00 each) are in excellent aesthetic and working order, and the lenses are surprisingly sharp (comparable to if not better than my -much more expensive- Canon lenses)(zone-focussing and all). They have an unusual, very angular aperture (only two V-shaped blades which slide across each other to vary the size of the opening), which appears to be very effective and -so far- seems to produce quite a good "bokeh". There are only two shutter speeds (1/40 and 1/200 sec) and the aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/22. The automatic exposures (even contra-jour) are amazing.

These cameras are solid and well made (all metal and glass), easy to operate, and feel good in the hands. One would almost need nothing else

 

[Chaplain Jeff]

Hello and welcome! Looking forward to hearing about your experiences. I am not familiar with your cameras and they sound fascinating.

 

[ricksplace]

Welcome to apug from the cold north. I have an Oly trip 35. Heck of a camera. The images taken with it are second to none.

 

[Anscojohn]

Welcome, Galah, from near Washington, DC.

 

[unohuu]

Howdy, Galah. Luke from Minneapolis. Excited to learn more about your find.

 

[Chazzy]

Welcome. I hope that your heat wave is over.