I don't need another camera, I don't need another camera...

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format

I prefer my F mount Zeiss/Cosina lenses to my Nikkor glass... Surprised how much I like the 50 1.4 Planar..
 

trick

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Washington, DC
Format
Medium Format

Wow, I touched a nerve here clearly. I "dared to insult them" by having the audacity to already own these lenses before I bought a Nikon camera. I know, how terrible of me!
 

flavio81

Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2014
Messages
5,069
Location
Lima, Peru
Format
Medium Format
Too many to count. But I can tell you that some of the best ones have been made by less known makers, as well as Minolta and Yashica.

I believe you, i believe you.
 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format
Wow, I touched a nerve here clearly. I "dared to insult them" by having the audacity to already own these lenses before I bought a Nikon camera. I know, how terrible of me!

I bought mine after I got into Nikon, because I was looking for something better ..

 

NB23

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
4,307
Format
35mm
120 and especially Rolleiflex, is where the magic is.
 
OP
OP

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,721
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
Quick follow-up: The FT-3 arrived on Wednesday but I just got a chance to check it out today. The camera body and lens are in superb condition and the meter seems to be working correctly. A little different ergonomically than the FM but adapting to the differences shouldn't be too difficult.

I'll hopefully have a chance to shoot a test roll over the next week and see how things work out.
 

George Mann

Member
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
2,846
Location
Denver
Format
35mm
Pick up some Ektachrome, shoot it at F8, and meter in the middle value zone.

Look at the film thru a good loupe using the sun as a light source.
 

trick

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2020
Messages
29
Location
Washington, DC
Format
Medium Format

Congrats - it's such a great feeling when things arrive in such great condition! Mine is arriving tomorrow according to FedEx. Very excited!
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,654
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
Yo
u don't need itYour FM is just as good.
 
OP
OP

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,721
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
Quick addendum to this:

I finally shot a roll of Tri-X with the FT-3 and had it developed and more than half of the shots are way overexposed. The shop I bought it from checked the shutter speeds and said they were accurate up to 1/500 but 1/1000 was a bit slow. I tested the 50/2 lens that came with it on my FM and it seems to stop down correctly when the shutter is fired. Perhaps there is an intermittent issue somewhere. But rather than waste more film and time debugging this, I've decided to return the camera.

The good news is I really liked the feel of the FT-3 (it's a tank!) and will seek out another. I still don't need it but I can't help myself
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,654
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
Oh, cone on. You only live once And the last shirt doesn't have any pockets anyway. Where is all the money is for Just go for it!
 

Les Sarile

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2010
Messages
3,425
Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Format
35mm

I never unravelled the mystery of why I wanted a silver and black bodied camera. Learn something everyday!

 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format

There may have not been anything wrong with the shutter. But the meter.
 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format
Just bought another one. Recently serviced, wish me luck!

Before you load film into it, make sure the meter readings from the camera match an external meter (hand held light meter, meter ap on your smart phone, another camera you know has a good meter).
Check it out over a varied set of lighting conditions. If it doesn't match up, then the camera's meter is defective.
If all looks good, then load film and shoot. If the exposures are not good, then something is wrong with the shutter timing, or the aperture stopping down.
But with Nikkormats normally there are no mechanical issues, but meter issues.
 
OP
OP

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,721
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
I compared the meter with the one in my FM and my handheld Seikonic and it seemed accurate. I'm used to metering with my handheld Seikonic so I didn't really rely on the internal meter much anyway.

The aperture in the lens seemed to stop down fine when it was on my FM. I asked the shop to test the body with another Nikon Ai lens and they said it stopped down correctly when they tried it. Not sure where the problem was, but I didn't feel like wasting more time/money to find out.

I'll run through the same set of tests when the new camera arrives.
 

GRHazelton

Subscriber
Joined
May 26, 2006
Messages
2,248
Location
Jonesboro, G
Format
Multi Format
Or, look for a Minolta Autocord. Dan Daniel on PhotoTrio "restores" these beauties to their full glory....
 
OP
OP

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,721
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
Or, look for a Minolta Autocord. Dan Daniel on PhotoTrio "restores" these beauties to their full glory....
I may add a TLR at some point in the future.

To address Вormental_old's comment, I wasn't into photography during the heyday of film so I'm taking this opportunity to play with a bunch of different film cameras. I may not keep both the FM and FT-3, but given how inexpensive they are to buy I'm not sure I see much point in selling one. I like mechanical things and, even if some cameras are redundant, it's nice to own a bit of film camera history.

Oh, and rather than selling a Leica I'm hoping to pick up an M3 at some point too
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…