What's your latest new old camera? (Part 1)

[Marc Akemann]

A Zeiss Ikon Contessa S-310 which comes with a 40/2.8 Tessar.

 

[Les Sarile]

A new FA-2 viewfinder for my LX . . .

 

[Robert Ley]

I recently picked up a couple of Nikon items. I replaced a beat Nikon F2 with a really nice black body and added the DP-1 finder from the beater F2. I got for an in incredible price, a mint 28-85 AIS MF lens and the proper Nikon lens hood...sweet!


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[John_Nikon_F]

A new FA-2 viewfinder for my LX . . .

Looks nice. Almost looks like a black 1st generation Spottie, except modernized a bit.

-J

 

[Les Sarile]

Looks nice. Almost looks like a black 1st generation Spottie, except modernized a bit.

-J

The Spotties are actually taller at the shoulder. I am thinking that Pentax went all the way back to the original in terms of size and shape of the viewfinder.

Alpha and Omega

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Yeah, it looks more like a non-metered S-mount 'tax... Seems rather interesting how both Pentax and Nikon made their early '80s pro bodies about the size of their '60s consumer models. An F3 is the same overall dimensions and weight as a Nikkormat FTn. Was rather amazed to see that I could fit a Nikon F3 body into a Nikkormat CTM eveready case. Sure, the tripod screw for the case was in the wrong spot, but the camera slid right in, even though the camera has the built-in handgrip.

-J

 

[leicarfcam]

2 Yashica TL Electro-X cameras with lens. One black paint ITS version and the earlier chrome non-ITS.

 

[ambaker]

2 Yashica TL Electro-X cameras with lens. One black paint ITS version and the earlier chrome non-ITS.

My first serious camera was an Electro-X. Many fond memories of that camera.


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[trythis]

I just picked up a Canon EF (FD lens mount.) I had never heard of one of these until recently, although I have used a Canon A-1 since 1991. I sought out an EF for its voltage regulated power supply, mirror lockup, copal shutter (125 flash sync) and light meter which works with f1.2 lenses. I found a FL 55mm f1.2 a while back for $25! and found the A-1 unable to meter properly with it wide open. The EF is shutter priority, but since both aperture and shutter speed are indicated in the view finder, it reminds me more of EOS 630 program shift with FD lenses.
I am waiting on a light seal kit, but shooting a roll anyway cause I can't wait. The EF is my most expensive 35mm SLR at ~$50 shipped. I got it from http://www.kenmorecamera.com/ it was in better shape than I thought it would be from their ratings. They are usually outa my price range on e-Auction and I felt better getting one from a dealer.
This camera has renewed my interest is shooting my Canon FD lenses. Nikon FE goes on shelf for a while.

 

[elcabezagrande]

Pretty.


Heiland (Honeywell) Pentax H2 with Auto Takumar 55/2 by Greyscale3, on Flickr

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^Nice. Have had four of the later H3v/SV versions, one of them being my very first camera, back in 1984.

-J

 

[ZenziFriend]

Nikon F3 in heavy used but working condition. You have to have a F3, but I think my Canon F1-N is better and the body is higher qualituy. The F3 looks a little bit cheap in comparison. But of course it is avery good camera...

 

[Marc Akemann]

These are my latest cameras mentioned in previous posts this past month (with no photos). The camera on the left is a Zeiss Ikon Contessa S 310 w/ 40/2.8 Tessar from the early 1970s and on the right a Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 (early-mid 1950s) with a 45/2.8 T Zeiss-Opton Tessar. Except for the meter on the Contessa 35 they both work beautifully.

The S 310 lens takes 30.5mm filters. Because of the Contessa 35's 27.5mm filter size, all of my Zeiss Ikon Contaflex filters and lens hood (for the 50/2.8) fit perfectly. Happy birthday to me!



-Marc

 

[elekm]

You know, the meters on the Contessa can often be brought back to life. Great cameras - both of them.

If you're handy with tools, here's how to try a home repair on the meter.

 

[Marc Akemann]

Well that's exciting! I will give it a try. Thanks Mike. And thanks for your website. Your info helped me decide with these two purchases.

-Marc

You know, the meters on the Contessa can often be brought back to life. Great cameras - both of them.

If you're handy with tools, here's how to try a home repair on the meter.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

You know, the meters on the Contessa can often be brought back to life. Great cameras - both of them.

If you're handy with tools, here's how to try a home repair on the meter.

Quite a lot of selenium meters can be made useful again simply by removing the cell and cleaning the spring contacts, then going over the contact points on the cell with a bit of rough cloth. The link mentioned steelwool, use this only if you want it to end up on the magnets within the meter movement - surprising how that stuff gets around. Be very careful not to remove any of the lacquer (? something clear) coating which protects most of the cell from the atmosphere, do this and it will die.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Mine is a retired Hassya pro wanted a new home for. It's a contributing part of the famiily now.

 

[Steinholtz]

Mine is a Rollei 35. Really loving this little camera! Build quality is great and so is the lens.

 

[BradleyK]

Not sure if this one qualifies as my "latest new old camera"...but the F4s that I first gave away to my sister, and then to my nephew, is now back in my hands. Dear nephew had the camera for over a year - and never shot a single frame. His explanation for returning what he referred to as "the beast": "It just doesn't feel right. But thanks anyway...." I am not certain what to do with the thing now; I may look for an MB23 pack and see if it changes the feel of the camera. My issue has been with the ergonomics of the camera; perhaps, though, its odd appearance (the shape of the MB21 pack) put me off?

 

[TheToadMen]

Not sure if this one qualifies as my "latest new old camera"...but the F4s that I first gave away to my sister, and then to my nephew, is now back in my hands. Dear nephew had the camera for over a year - and never shot a single frame. His explanation for returning what he referred to as "the beast": "It just doesn't feel right. But thanks anyway...." I am not certain what to do with the thing now; I may look for an MB23 pack and see if it changes the feel of the camera. My issue has been with the ergonomics of the camera; perhaps, though, its odd appearance (the shape of the MB21 pack) put me off?

Hi Bradley,
It was the "odd appearance" and the handling of this camera that appealed to me in the first place. So I bought a used F4s in 2003 and I loved it ever since. I used it a lot at the Photo Academy for assignments. But when I took it out this summer again I found it had died on me, sadly enough.
So if you need a good home for this camera .... it's welcome in my ACO (analogue camera orphanage) It will be put to good use !!

 

[D Olson]

Several recently. Agfa folder PB20, Balda Baldini, Voigtlander Vito II, Kodak Retina Reflex II with eye level finder. Several lenses.

 

[nemoskull]

luftwaffe robot camera.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Not sure if this one qualifies as my "latest new old camera"...but the F4s that I first gave away to my sister, and then to my nephew, is now back in my hands. Dear nephew had the camera for over a year - and never shot a single frame. His explanation for returning what he referred to as "the beast": "It just doesn't feel right. But thanks anyway...." I am not certain what to do with the thing now; I may look for an MB23 pack and see if it changes the feel of the camera. My issue has been with the ergonomics of the camera; perhaps, though, its odd appearance (the shape of the MB21 pack) put me off?

Bradley, that's one reason why I switched to a MB-20. It actually fit my hand properly. When you're down here in April, if you don't have one by then, you're welcome to see if my F4 fits your hand better. The MB-23 is nicer than the 21, in that all the batteries are at the bottom, so the camera is less likely to tilt forward with a lens on it.

-J

 

[BradleyK]

Bradley, that's one reason why I switched to a MB-20. It actually fit my hand properly. When you're down here in April, if you don't have one by then, you're welcome to see if my F4 fits your hand better. The MB-23 is nicer than the 21, in that all the batteries are at the bottom, so the camera is less likely to tilt forward with a lens on it.

-J

John,

Thanks for the offer. While the MB20 looks nice and compact - judging from the pictures I have seen - I am curious as to how the camera would handle with longer lenses (I do a lot of shooting with my 80-200mm AFS-D ED, 80-200mm 4.5 Ai, 135 F2 Ai and 180 F2.8 ED Ais). With longer glass - the 300 F2.8, 400 F3.5 and the 600 F4, I find necessary to mount on a heavier, motor-driven body - hence the idea of replacing the MB21 with the MB23.

BLK

 

[DannL.]

This is probably premature, but I am waiting on two cameras that will hopefully end all camera purchases for the near future. When the pony express shows up, I should know exactly how well I did in choosing the right ones.

The first is a Zorki 4 in near new condition coming from the Ukraine. It has the Industar 61L/D. I had this same combination years ago and it left a lasting impression upon me. So, I'm gonna give it another go.

And second, a Canon IVSB with the Canon 50mm 1.8 coming in from Albuquerque. Not too long ago I parted with the IIIa version, and now I really miss it. Unlike the IIIa where only 9000 or so were made, there are plenty of IVSB's around in excellent condition to choose from. My intentions are that this will be my main 35mm camera . . . hopefully, and if all functions well. As I don't currently have a 35mm camera, having recently parted with all that gear, I thought that I could give up the format and that would be that. Ha! Not possible.