what waS your last photography related purchase?

[murdockhendrix]

I got tired of loading film using a film changing bag, humidity buildup. So I ordered and received a single panel blackout curtain & a heavy duty curtain rod for the 2nd bathroom door.

The 2nd bathroom has no windows plus there is room for a small folding table in it. I spent 10 minutes in the bathroom checking for light leaks. All's well. Tomorrow I'll open a roll of 35mm film and let it sit out for 10 minutes for the real test.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

Just took delivery of 4 cassettes of lomo 110 (3 orca, 1 metropolis) that cost me as much as the camera I'll be exposing it with -- a Minolta 110 Zoom SLR Mk. II. I hope to experiment reloading them with single-perf 16mm film but I'm not getting my hopes up...

Also, two firsts for me: a single roll of 35mm Adox CMS 20 II that I'll be sacrificing to the POTA gods and single roll of 35mm Scala 50 which I'll be comparing to my B&W reversal go-to, Kentmere 100.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

What frames do you like to use? I haven't liked some of the changed IKEA has made to their frames in recent years, but I'm wanting to buy some new ones nonetheless.

I've been using variations on the Hovsta frame lately. I like the depth they offer, and the ability to push forward/pull back the image in the frame.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Just ordered a coffee brewing scale from Amazon. Got one for the kitchen when I bought a pour-over setup (V-60 dripper, pouring kettle, and stainless vacuum carafe) for weighing both beans and water during the actual brew, and it was so convenient (easy tare, up to 3 kg capacity and reads out in 0.1 g) I decided to get one for the darkroom too. It'll make mixing D-23 and DK-25R or other developers much easier than using an old ammunition reloading scale.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I've been using variations on the Hovsta frame lately. I like the depth they offer, and the ability to push forward/pull back the image in the frame.

That's my go-to frame as well, although I've noticed that my more recent purchases (a few years ago now) are not as robust/sturdy as the older ones.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

Just ordered a coffee brewing scale from Amazon. Got one for the kitchen when I bought a pour-over setup (V-60 dripper, pouring kettle, and stainless vacuum carafe) for weighing both beans and water during the actual brew, and it was so convenient (easy tare, up to 3 kg capacity and reads out in 0.1 g) I decided to get one for the darkroom too. It'll make mixing D-23 and DK-25R or other developers much easier than using an old ammunition reloading scale.

I am using a mechanical reloading scale too, but it's a hassle converting grams to grains, is that scale you bought precisely enough for milligrams?

 

[Donald Qualls]

No, sorry, it only reads to 0.1 gram. There are milligram scales with capacity up to a few hundred grams for similar price on eBay. I bought this one originally for pour-over coffee (being able to weight the water added to the dripper after taring the carafe, dripper, filter, and grounds; plus it has a timer, useful for ensuring enough but not too much bloom time), and it seemed perfectly fine for darkroom.

The only thing I know of where you'd need milligram precision is for phenidone (make a stock solution of 1% or 2% in 91% isopropyl, easy to measure and it'll keep forever) or the potassium iodide in that one developer with a "homeopathic" quantity (that's still 0.1 g, IIRC, but still easier to do that as a 1% solution in distilled water, too). FWIW, 15.4 grains per gram isn't that difficult; I usually do the arithmetic in my head since the gram amounts I want generally only have two significant figures.

 

[Pitotshock]

This has been on my list to get for a while now. A place to stuff those darkroom prints after developing, but I don't want to throw them out... This flat file is absolutely huge, it can take sheets that are up to 36" by 50", so it should be good enough for anything I can manage to print. Did I mention it what it weighs? Each drawer must be 40 pounds. Found it for free within the extended family from a draftsman who has gone completely digital and had no need to store paper copies.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Yep, there's an item that will never be manufactured again. Maps, charts, engineering drawings, architectural blueprints, etc. are all digital now. Even though I'd have no place to put one of these, it would give me physical pain to see one going to a landfill or recycling facility...

 

[Don_ih]

Yep, there's an item that will never be manufactured again. Maps, charts, engineering drawings, architectural blueprints, etc. are all digital now. Even though I'd have no place to put one of these, it would give me physical pain to see one going to a landfill or recycling facility...

I've installed cabinets like that in art classrooms in schools. People still need to store watercolours.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Got a good deal on a 100mm f3.5 for my Contax RTS III.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

That's my go-to frame as well, although I've noticed that my more recent purchases (a few years ago now) are not as robust/sturdy as the older ones.

I used to use those frames, until I inserted one of the black bendy tabs under my fingernail. Wanna talk about pain?? Went to Opus' Exhibition frames. Easy peezy no fingernail torture!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I used to use those frames, until I inserted one of the black bendy tabs under my fingernail. Wanna talk about pain?? Went to Opus' Exhibition frames. Easy peezy no fingernail torture!

Depending on how you're using those frames (glazing/no glazing, 4ply vs 8ply, backing board, etc), you can cut off those bendy tabs with a set of tin snips and then use framers points to secure the back, or some good heavy-duty linen hinging tape the whole way around.

 

[Nicklop]

An enlarger... though I don't have space for a darkroom.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

I may have noted my new-old Kodak Retina IIa on another thread. It is a really nice little camera with a super 50mm ƒ/2 Xenon lens. I bought it in January form a seller in Washington State. Using a Retina is a bit fiddly, but I often use a Leica IIIc, so I am used to fiddly.

A more detailed review: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2022/05/1950s-optical-excellence-kodak-retina.html

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I may have noted my new-old Kodak Retina IIa on another thread. It is a really nice little camera with a super 50mm ƒ/2 Xenon lens. I bought it in January form a seller in Washington State. Using a Retina is a bit fiddly, but I often use a Leica IIIc, so I am used to fiddly.

A more detailed review: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2022/05/1950s-optical-excellence-kodak-retina.html

View attachment 307173

Compared to just about any LTM mount Leica, a Retina is the very model of straightforwardness. The rangefinder window could be a bit bigger and brighter, but they are what they are from the period. Now, if you want to use any of the accessory lenses for the Retina, then you've got fiddly in spades.

 

[Donald Qualls]

And love that Xenon lens. I've got a 50 mm f/2 Xenon on my Weltini (somewhat less fiddly 1941 vintage RF folder) and I love it.

 

[fdonadio]

After selling all my darkroom stuff in Brazil and moving to Germany, I finally got a “starter kit” to develop film: Paterson tank, reels, mixing jug, a couple of measuring cylinders, thermometer, stirring paddles, film clips, a bag of Adox XT-3 and Kodak TMax fixer.

Everything came from @ADOX Fotoimpex, great service as always.

I still need a couple funnels and 1-Liter bottles, but I’m getting these from the “dollar store” around the corner.

 

[Helios 1984]

Pristine Zeiss Ikon Proxar f=1m close-up & push-on hood for 5 bucks at a yardsale.

 

[jay moussy]

Small light box 12" x 10", as wanted on Freecycle.
It was previously bought and used for tracing applique quilt patterns.

I have a large "classic' light box, nice, but a bit big for my workspace.

 

[mshchem]

Prestine Zeiss Ikon Proxar f=1m close-up & push-on hood for 5 bucks at a yardsale.

Those are beautiful!!! 5 bucks won't buy a McDonald's Big Mac these days.

 

[mshchem]

I may have noted my new-old Kodak Retina IIa on another thread. It is a really nice little camera with a super 50mm ƒ/2 Xenon lens. I bought it in January form a seller in Washington State. Using a Retina is a bit fiddly, but I often use a Leica IIIc, so I am used to fiddly.

A more detailed review: https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2022/05/1950s-optical-excellence-kodak-retina.html

View attachment 307173

I have a similar camera, lovely. Not bad fiddly, fun fiddly.

 

[mshchem]

I'm trying to stop buying things for a while. I have a "I can't resist a bargain" problem

 

[Helios 1984]

Those are beautiful!!! 5 bucks won't buy a McDonald's Big Mac these days.

Found loose inside a camera bag containing a Pentax MV1 (I think ?). The seller kindly agreed to sell the items separately for the proposed price.

PS: Not so long ago, for 5 bucks we could get breakfast for two with coffees and refills. I miss those days.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Found loose inside a camera bag containing a Pentax MV1 (I think ?). The seller kindly agreed to sell the items separately for the proposed price.

PS: Not so long ago, for 5 bucks we could get breakfast for two with coffees and refills. I miss those days.

5 bucks will not pay for coffee at $tarBuck$ any longer, either.