So much for mechanical cameras

[Kodachromeguy]

But of course it's at a price, and most Nikon's do not meet the crossover point between repair costs and buying another similar camera instead.

The problem with this scenario is that eventually the inventory of usable equivalent cameras will run out. The companies made millions, but it is still a finite pool of working units. I suggest repair while technicians with the knowledge are still working. They will eventually retire.

 

[Arthurwg]

And with dried up lubes etc. that unused Hasselblad is likely to not work unless you keep it serviced.

Obviously it will be serviced as necessary.

 

[koraks]

I don't think they are any where as good as machined parts but even if they are the speed of production is too slow compared to regular CNC machining.

That's right. There are some niche applications where 3D printed parts (also in metal) have entered the supply chain, though. Some forms just can't be machined.

 

[mtnbkr]

That's right. There are some niche applications where 3D printed parts (also in metal) have entered the supply chain, though. Some forms just can't be machined.

I recently heard on a podcast about making something, I don't recall what, that they could 3d print using a metal-impregnated filament, then send it off to be sintered, resulting in a final metal part.

I've also heard of wood fiber impregnated filament that results in an item that looks like it was made entirely from wood.

I dabble with 3d printing, but only have a cheap Ender 3 Pro and haven't really put any effort into perfecting things. Even still, I can see where this can be a powerful tool in the hands of someone with a quality printer and the experience to get it right.

Chris

 

[bjorke]

Only if you miss-treat them.

Here is an M4 that was used correctly. Eventually the film wore an image into the pressure plate.

 

[Bill Burk]

As soon as I brought these “project” vulcanizers home, I found that they are no longer necessary.

Anyone can go to a craft store and buy silicon mold kits. Then you make wax copies for lost wax castings.

(I think 3-D prints can be used for lost wax also, but don’t quote me on that.)

The chelation treatment is underway…

 

[eli griggs]

I kind of think you miss the point. When a Barnack Leica fails it's likely to be things like shutter cloth and ribbons, easily repairable. Good repair people can also make things. So it's not an 'either or' question, they can be repaired. But of course it's at a price, and most Nikon's do not meet the crossover point between repair costs and buying another similar camera instead. Sure, have a techie repair your Hasselblad but that wasn't the point.

That's right. There are some niche applications where 3D printed parts (also in metal) have entered the supply chain, though. Some forms just can't be machined.

Yet.

 

[snusmumriken]

Here is an M4 that was used correctly. Eventually the film wore an image into the pressure plate.

View attachment 345801

Oh get away! It’s like the Turin Shroud. How could that be possible unless the film was left for ages with a film in the camera? — and even then…

 

[koraks]

Yet.

Fundamentally. Hollow shapes are kind of difficult to machine.

 

[Don_ih]

How could that be possible unless the film was left for ages with a film in the camera?

Moisture would help, too. But the camera has obviously seen a factory's worth of film - it's brassed inside from film being pushed in.

 

[MattKing]

Here is an M4 that was used correctly. Eventually the film wore an image into the pressure plate.

View attachment 345801

That is Garry Winogrand's last M4, according to Stephen Gandy: https://www.cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm

 

[eli griggs]

That is Garry Winogrand's last M4, according to Stephen Gandy: https://www.cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm

It looks to me that the paint or enamel was put on thickly or was repainted over the original finish.

I think that's why there is a 'track' from use, with lots of film.

IMO.

 

[Arthurwg]

I do think there will be new film cameras, most likely from China. They already make excellent lenses. They may start as fairly primitive but will become more sophisticated over time. They also may take over film manufacture.

 

[bjorke]

It’s like the Turin Shroud.

Excellent! One of my favorite Photrio quotes ever.


The shroud of Garry...

 

[snusmumriken]

Excellent! One of my favorite Photrio quotes ever.


The shroud of Garry...

Thanks. But still it really puzzles me. The guide rail streaks I might understand, because of the friction of moving film; but the perforation marks would need the film to be stationary. I shalln’t sleep now.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks. But still it really puzzles me. The guide rail streaks I might understand, because of the friction of moving film; but the perforation marks would need the film to be stationary. I shalln’t sleep now.

There is much internet discussion about this subject.
Whatever the cause, it is apparent from all the other existing evidence, that Garry Winogrand fed huge amounts of film through his camera(s).
And apparently the wind mechanism remained very precise. It advanced the film, over and over, frame, after frame, after frame, after frame, after frame .....
For those that haven't encountered it, I heartily recommend:

"Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable"​

:

I was lucky enough to see a screening followed by a question and anser session with the writer, producer and director.

 

[awty]

That is Garry Winogrand's last M4, according to Stephen Gandy: https://www.cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm

You can just wipe it away with a bit of spirits.

 

[Tony-S]

You can just wipe it away with a bit of spirits.

But why would you want to?

 

[awty]

But why would you want to?

So you have a nice clean surface. I have wiped away similar marks. Happens when you leave film in the camera for sometime.

 

[MattKing]

Stephen Gandy says that the sprocket hole images in that M4 are actually worn into a pressure plate

 

[awty]

Stephen Gandy says that the sprocket hole images in that M4 are actually worn into a pressure plate

Does he, that's a great story.

 

[awty]

Must be using fairy dust on the film, we know how abrasive that is. All makes sense now.

 

[MattKing]

Well, Garry Winogrand is understood to have, during his 56 short years, exposed more than a million frames of 35mm film through his cameras.
When he died, he left approximately 6500 (although some say 2500) 36 exposure films exposed but not yet developed.
So if any photographer's camera were to exhibit this, his would be a likely candidate.

 

[awty]

Well, Garry Winogrand is understood to have, during his 56 short years, exposed more than a million frames of 35mm film through his cameras.
When he died, he left approximately 6500 (although some say 2500) 36 exposure films exposed but not yet developed.
So if any photographer's camera were to exhibit this, his would be a likely candidate.

You know it's physically impossible to leave sprocket indentation in the pressure plate. Doesn't matter how often you use it. The pressure on the plate is constant, not strong enough to push film into it. Perhaps you could get a small amount of wear on the edge of the plate which would probably scratch the film. Sprocket marks are caused by film sitting in the camera.
But hey I love a good fairy tale, never shortage of them here.

 

[Don_ih]

that's a great story

It is. The most film sprocket holes could do is wear a stripe into the pressure plate, since the edges of the holes could be a little abrasive. You wouldn't see rectangles in that instance - just a line. But that would be pretty much impossible - the greatest points of pressure are where the plate presses the film against the rails (between the sprocket holes and the shutter curtain). The rectangles are from the film sitting in the camera - probably getting a bit moldy.