what waS your last photography related purchase?

[RalphLambrecht]

bought my long- sought after Nikon 105mm f/2.5; unfortunately only non AI but plan to have it converted.

 

[chuckroast]

The curve doesn't need to be as sharp as the Leica template makes out. It can be more sloping. I have had happen what you describe and it's a result of hitching in your cut as your go around the bend. Non-Leica (i.e., bottom loader Leicas) users won't understand since their film never has to do what the long-leader Leica film does, which is feed past the film gate into a closed sprocket channel. That never happens with any other camera. Anyway, a slight hitch in your cut can make the film split at that point and peel into the shutter curtain (had it happen - I've loaded probably a thousand rolls into Leica III cameras by this point - everything has happened). But, like I said, you don't need such a sharp curve. You really only need to cut off a bit more than the row of sprocket holes.

Yes, this is the scenario. Some films like Foma 200, do not like having the sweep of the curve cut too aggressively.


I got the tool in question yesterday. It's pretty slick but I'm not sure it's worth $25 all in. It may go back or I may keep it. Game time decision ...

 

[grant.goodes]

I just bought a minty copy of the Bellows-Nikkor 105/4 P to go on my PB-4. Adding it to my embarrassingly large mini-collection of Nikkor 105mm lenses (now 8 lenses if you count the 100/2.8 series E). The lens arrives tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to trying it out. I'm curious to see how the Bellows-Nikkor renders, especially with 12 aperture blades. I hear the lens flares a bit (only single-coated), but I have several hoods that I can try on it (trying to resist purchasing the matching HS-4!)

 

[mehguy]

I bought a nice Yashicaflex Model A with it's original box and leather case.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

50g of Silver Nitrate, and Sodium Acetate. I don't need to tell you that the price of the Silver Nitrate has skyrocketed! I've also been informed that Ferric Ammonium Citrate, for Cyanotypes, has tripled in price, according to my supplier. We are in for hard times, people...

 

[mshchem]

50g of Silver Nitrate, and Sodium Acetate. I don't need to tell you that the price of the Silver Nitrate has skyrocketed! I've also been informed that Ferric Ammonium Citrate, for Cyanotypes, has tripled in price, according to my supplier. We are in for hard times, people...

I made a batch of silver nitrate a few years ago. It was me revisiting my old chemist days. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who doesn't have access to a genuine laboratory, free reagent grade nitric acid and all the time in the world! I ended up replacing some of my homemade ductwork as it was pretty chewed up

And yes the times are difficult! Very exasperating!

30+ years ago I purchased chemicals for the lab where I was employed. I bought 20 1 pound (454g) bottles of Eastman Chemical reagent grade Silver Nitrate for $88 (USD) per pound. I stopped by my buddy's coin shop today, he was selling 1 troy ounce (31.1g) silver rounds for $80 (USD). Which is a very reasonable price.

 

[loccdor]

3d printing service for a Canon FD to Pen F adapter out of carbon fiber nylon. We'll see how successful it is. I have a tiny little 100mm lens that I want to use on that camera.

 

[ivan35mm]

3 CLA services. 2 shutters and 1 camera fixed up, ready for action again.

 

[mshchem]

3 CLA services. 2 shutters and 1 camera fixed up, ready for action again.

Who did the work?

 

[ivan35mm]

Who did the work?

For the Compound shutter repairs, Mael Bilquey at OptoMeca in France. Very professional and easy to work with. Happy with the results.

For the Camera (an Italian Barnack Leica copy - Sonne V), Oleg Khalyavin at OKVintageCamera in Slovakia. He also did a wonderful job.

 

[Cholentpot]

Just got a deal on a Sony mirrorless so I can used all my manual film lenses in the dark.

I know it's not strictly film I'm talking about but sometimes you need to make a decision what to do with your analog equipment.

 

[mshchem]

For the Compound shutter repairs, Mael Bilquey at OptoMeca in France. Very professional and easy to work with. Happy with the results.

For the Camera (an Italian Barnack Leica copy - Sonne V), Oleg Khalyavin at OKVintageCamera in Slovakia. He also did a wonderful job.

That's great!

 

[miha]

I’ve just ordered an 8×10 box of Ilford Multigrade Cooltone RC paper in my ongoing search for the holy grail of RC papers, trying to convince myself that RC can be just as good as FB... Anyway, I’m really looking forward to using it when it arrives.

 

[mshchem]

I’ve just ordered an 8×10 box of Ilford Multigrade Cooltone RC paper in my ongoing search for the holy grail of RC papers, trying to convince myself that RC can be just as good as FB... Anyway, I’m really looking forward to using it when it arrives.

You can sure get more done. Fiber is awesome. I use it a lot. So are Ilford's RC offerings. I love it all.

 

[bernard_L]

I’ve just ordered an 8×10 box of Ilford Multigrade Cooltone RC paper in my ongoing search for the holy grail of RC papers, trying to convince myself that RC can be just as good as FB... Anyway, I’m really looking forward to using it when it arrives.

Have you tried Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe (aka Multigrade V) with the surface Pearl (aka 44M)? It's of course different from FB Classic (V) glossy (air-dried), but I would not say it's inferior, and I could live with using just that.

 

[miha]

@bernard_L Yes, I’ve tried them all,1M, 44M, as well as 25M. I have a love-hate relationship with 44M, but the Cooltone in the mail is 44M. We’ll see how it goes.

 

[Justgregor]

Waist level finder

 

[chuckroast]

bought my long- sought after Nikon 105mm f/2.5; unfortunately only non AI but plan to have it converted.

That's a great lens. I've owned several over the years, eventually ending up with my current AIS.

You may get lucky. Depending on the manufacturing year, the late pre-AIs shared the same optical 5 element/4 group Gauss optical design that was then used in the AI and AIS variants. In that case, the only difference would be the coatings which were improved later on. But even the older Sonnar 105s were really, really great lenses. The change occurred somewhere around serial number 407300, at least according to my local neighbourhood AI ...

 

[MattKing]

I’ve just ordered an 8×10 box of Ilford Multigrade Cooltone RC paper in my ongoing search for the holy grail of RC papers, trying to convince myself that RC can be just as good as FB... Anyway, I’m really looking forward to using it when it arrives.

That is my favorite paper.

 

[miha]

That is my favorite paper.

Do you like it mainly for the cool tone, or are there other qualities that make it your favorite?

 

[eli griggs]

Hasselblad 135mm C lens, with warranty and two release cable hooks for 500 el/m body.

 

[MattKing]

Do you like it mainly for the cool tone, or are there other qualities that make it your favorite?

It tones really well - either toward colder, or toward warmer!
Just pick your toner.
I expect I'd like the newer version of their RC paper - Classic or "V" - in neutral tone a bit more than the older MGIV RC due to its reported greater susceptibility to toners, but outside of that issue I do like its tonality and flexibility and will be using up the stock of what I still have before venturing toward a replacement - most likely the RC Cooltone if I can justify the expense.
I've only used a bit of the Ilford Warmtone RC, and liked what I used, but I prefer using a standard paper and manipulating the image tone using toners.
I also like the no longer made Oriental RC.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

I’ve just ordered an 8×10 box of Ilford Multigrade Cooltone RC paper in my ongoing search for the holy grail of RC papers, trying to convince myself that RC can be just as good as FB... Anyway, I’m really looking forward to using it when it arrives.

Best RC paper I have used was Agfa multicontrast; no longer available.
I have a stash of old fibre paper which is well out of acceptable norms for age that still looks better than any RC I have used.