what waS your last photography related purchase?

axs810

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Thanks! I'm glad to have finally signed up been a long time browser
 

andrew.roos

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Chrome Nikon FM with 55mm f/2.8 micro lens. My aunt bought this new many years ago, and it was one of the first cameras I ever used. Now it's come full circle as she has very kindly given it to me as she no longer uses it.

Camera and lens are in really good condition (I would guess KEH EX+) with just the slightest cosmetic signs of use. No dents, dings, or scratches. Everything seems to work properly, including the light meter, but I'll get the shutter timings checked. There's a bit of deterioration of the foam seal by the hinge of the film door, so I my have to replace that. The lens focuses smoothly with a light touch, so it probably dates from after they changed the lubricant, since the original lubricant used by Nikon on these lenses deteriorated with age resulting in a stiff focus. No sign of haze, fungus, or even cleaning marks! I'm very pleased and somewhat surprised, since the camera has been sitting unused for at least a decade. But doubtless properly stored, as my aunt was a museum curator.

I must admit I had forgotten just how small the FM is, compared to the DSLRs of today. And, of course, compared to my Bronica ETRSi MF system! And just how pretty they are.

Does anyone can date an FM camera based on the serial no (3 265 xxx) ? I can't find any web resources for this.
 

benjiboy

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Black Dog said:
That's a good lens [their 90 mm macro is one of my all time favourites as well].
Click to expand...
It's my only none Canon FD lens, and the best rectilinear ultra wide angle lens I've ever used, Unfortunately the lens has no filter thread the filters screw into the hood and are a huge 82 mm and cost an arm and a leg.
 

Old-N-Feeble

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I just received a 55mm Repro-Claron factory-mounted in Compur shutter. I'm thinking it'll cover 6x9cm at 1:1 with only room for rear swing and tilt but that's okay. To avoid excessive diffraction at 1:1 I figure it'll be best at f/11-16 or at 2:1 between f/8-11 and higher ratios probably only good wide open (f/8).
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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2 liter C-41 developer kit. Got some 120 color neg film to process, and some 35mm Kodak Elite Chrome to cross process.

And a liter of Harman selenium toner, as well as some 11x14 Fomabrom 123 paper. I have never tried this paper before, but am excited about the surface finish.
 

axs810

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^^^Fomabrom 123 is such a nice paper...I think you'll really enjoy it
 

MitzyG

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Not a purchase, strictly speaking, but made a trade with a couple of folks so in the next few weeks I should be receiving -
A Fuji GWS 690II
A Minolta X-700 with F/1.4 58mm lens
Some Ecktachrome 120 (asa 200)
and tomorrow I might go get a new camera bag and some 120 color film
 

Sirius Glass

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Graflex Sports Viewfinder Mask and Speed Graphic Infinity Stops
The first has arrived and I am waiting for the second.
 

StoneNYC

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I love the surface and I love its ability with shadow separation, I mean WOW.

I DON'T like that you can't get it in 100 or 250 sheet boxes like Ilford (or even boxes at all, those packs are annoying) and that prevents a discount for bulk buy as well, but hopefully I can get some 11x14 paper safes (do they even make 20x24 paper safes?) and that will help make that less annoying.

I think when my darkroom is up and running that will end up being my paper, I like the Ilford Warmtone but the foma variant 123 seems to "fit" better with more of my work.

It also curls less in the developer which is nice, but floats more in the washer.
 

axs810

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StoneNYC - Yes they do make 20x24 paper safes.

Dead Link Removed
 

StoneNYC

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deardork said:
StoneNYC - Yes they do make 20x24 paper safes.

Dead Link Removed
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was thinking of the stackable ones that open from the front but I guess that's good enough and better than nothing. Thanks for the link.
 

Ian Grant

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An SLR, a Butcher Pressman, quarter plate, with a TT&H Cooke Luxor f4.5 5¾" lens. I have 1/4 plate film and plate holders with film adapters. Just needs restoration first. Also picked up a 120 6x9 roll-film back not sure what it fits yet.

Ian
 

MattKrull

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Sep 2, 2013
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Some oriental seagull rc mg 8x10 paper and an L plate so using my 645 in portrait mode is marginally less a pain in the behind. I like the Adorama paper in Pearl 5x7, but not glossy 8x10. I'm hoping this seagull paper is more to my liking (I know I like adox 312, but I was putting in an order with b&h anyways, so might as well try the seagull).
 

Ken Nadvornick

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A NIB/NOS Majestic 1200 tripod head with the now-discontinued 6x7 mounting top plate for my Calumet C1 8x10 camera. I have since ordered and received the still-available 1½-inch metal adapter post to mount it onto my heavy-duty Zone VI wooden tripod. Should be solid as a rock.

Detailed close-up inspection reveals it to have never been used (not even a hint of black crinkle paint scuffing on the top plate) and never even cranked (the original grease was still filling the gear teeth where it had been brushed on at the factory). It came with an envelope containing the original paperwork, warranty registration, and a small Allen wrench for adjustments.

The optical company it was originally addressed to has been out of business since 1982, so it's no younger than that. However, the printing style on the documents appears closer to the early 70s, or possibly even the late 60s.

Whoever received it had written "Extra" on the shipping box, which is probably the key clue. Perhaps they purchased two or more and this one was the designated backup? Except Majestics are so rugged they never break. Ironically the original purchasing company apparently broke first.

It still gleams in as-new condition. My restored Beast is smiling...



Ken
 

Sirius Glass

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A safelight, beakers and graduate cylinders.
 

Regular Rod

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Aug 6, 2012
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Zenobia 4.5 x 6 RF, just loaded it with HP5 and hope to find out if it's any good tomorrow...

RR
 

StoneNYC

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It's essentially rebranded Ilford RC from my experience / testing / comparison I couldn't find a difference.
 
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