Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Until a few days ago I hadn't taken a pic in over a month and half and nothing lurking in the cupboard seemed to interest me except, oddly, my poor neglected blue Fed-2 lurking on the bottom shelf ... and that had a shutter problem at 1/250 and 1/500 and the I-26 lens had become very difficult to rotate courtesy of the past due date Russian tractor grease going totally solid in the helical over the four years since it had been used.
This was the first RF camera I ever bought ... it came with lens from Oleg at OK Cameras for the grand sum of $45.00 and it led to a progression of more and more sophisticated and expensive cameras some of which I still have and a lot that I don't ... along with the obligatory lens collection of course. I'm sure you recognise the pattern here!
In an act of desperation to re-ignite some sort of interest in my photography I dismantled, cleaned and relubed the Industar-26 and re-tensioned the shutter curtains on the Fed to about what I though they should be ... one in particular seemed somewhat under tensioned. (not that I'd really know!)
I loaded a twenty four exposure roll of LP400 into the camera and took it with me the other day on a rainforest walk to a nearby creek and waterfall. I picked Carol up on the way and while waiting for her to get ready I took a couple of shots ... and it felt good. I used the remaining film over the rest of the morning and deliberately didn't take my Sekonic along to force my lazy 'meter spoiled exposure brain' back into action for a change.
The results from that roll of film after I developed it in Rodinal kind of blew me away. There's barely a bad exposure and the beaten up Industar lens's performance defies it's condition. The camera was an absolute pleasure to use and has provided me with some of the nicest pics I've taken in a while ... suddenly I feel like a photographer again! I will never, ever sell this camera because with it's rugged simplicity it's ultimately capable of reminding me what photography is actually all about:
Light ... an uncomplicated means of capturing it ... and the simple press of a shutter button.
This was the first RF camera I ever bought ... it came with lens from Oleg at OK Cameras for the grand sum of $45.00 and it led to a progression of more and more sophisticated and expensive cameras some of which I still have and a lot that I don't ... along with the obligatory lens collection of course. I'm sure you recognise the pattern here!
In an act of desperation to re-ignite some sort of interest in my photography I dismantled, cleaned and relubed the Industar-26 and re-tensioned the shutter curtains on the Fed to about what I though they should be ... one in particular seemed somewhat under tensioned. (not that I'd really know!)
I loaded a twenty four exposure roll of LP400 into the camera and took it with me the other day on a rainforest walk to a nearby creek and waterfall. I picked Carol up on the way and while waiting for her to get ready I took a couple of shots ... and it felt good. I used the remaining film over the rest of the morning and deliberately didn't take my Sekonic along to force my lazy 'meter spoiled exposure brain' back into action for a change.
The results from that roll of film after I developed it in Rodinal kind of blew me away. There's barely a bad exposure and the beaten up Industar lens's performance defies it's condition. The camera was an absolute pleasure to use and has provided me with some of the nicest pics I've taken in a while ... suddenly I feel like a photographer again! I will never, ever sell this camera because with it's rugged simplicity it's ultimately capable of reminding me what photography is actually all about:
Light ... an uncomplicated means of capturing it ... and the simple press of a shutter button.
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Ranchu
Veteran
Very nice! At the end of the day it's the shooter not the gear, but that camera does a beautiful job. Shoot more than you do, Keith, a month is too long!
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Keith
It's obviously a lot warmer where you are than it is here. Just had another half an inch of snow.
Hope Carol didn't get too numb a bum!
Nice picture - just shows what can be done with a seeing eye and simple equipment.
It's obviously a lot warmer where you are than it is here. Just had another half an inch of snow.
Hope Carol didn't get too numb a bum!
Nice picture - just shows what can be done with a seeing eye and simple equipment.
agricola
Well-known
Keith
bloody marvellous! #2 and 5 are such good technical examples of light and shadow capture. the shot of your lady is lovely too.
congratulations on getting the adrenalin rush again ...
Dan
bloody marvellous! #2 and 5 are such good technical examples of light and shadow capture. the shot of your lady is lovely too.
congratulations on getting the adrenalin rush again ...
Dan
xxloverxx
Shoot.
Can't decide between #2 and #5…probably #5. Good to know you got back into photography again
kievman
Kievman
Nice work Keith, I like them all for different reasons. It so nice to see that green stuff even if it's in Black and White. It's all Brown and white here where I am and a lot Colder!!!! Russian Glass shines thru again and again. Best kept secret on the planet! - Kievman
Mablo
Well-known
Lovely photos and a great story. I've been on the fence of selling my nice Zorki-1 + Industar-22 which I don't seem to use anymore but this story helped me to make a decision to keep it. Just in case.
Murray Kelly
Well-known
Greetin's Keith. I particularly like #5. You can almost feel the mist.
I'm a bit like you. Events have dampened enthusiasm of late!
Cheers
Murray
I'm a bit like you. Events have dampened enthusiasm of late!
Cheers
Murray
hipsterdufus
Photographer?
Beautiful stuff, Keith. I would be quite happy if I had taken any of those pictures. Keep up the good work!
Also, on a slightly unrelated note, this is why I tend to keep a lot of cameras. One camera that is uninspiring to me on one day will be the second coming a month later. GAS does have some benefits (for me at least).
Also, on a slightly unrelated note, this is why I tend to keep a lot of cameras. One camera that is uninspiring to me on one day will be the second coming a month later. GAS does have some benefits (for me at least).
maddoc
... likes film again.
All from the one 135-24 roll ? Very good, Keith ! As already mentioned, it is not the camera ....
wakarimasen
Well-known
Hello Keith - your posting has struck a cord with me.
This week, I went back to the first roll of film that I shot with a rangefinder: a Fed 3 with Industar 61.
The photographs - though nothing special - are certainly 'good enough.' Since then, I'm ashamed to say that I've been buying and selling more than talking pictures. It's surprising how such a condition sneaks up on you and before you know it, the pursuit of gear overtakes the reason for having it.
Best regards,
RoyM
This week, I went back to the first roll of film that I shot with a rangefinder: a Fed 3 with Industar 61.
The photographs - though nothing special - are certainly 'good enough.' Since then, I'm ashamed to say that I've been buying and selling more than talking pictures. It's surprising how such a condition sneaks up on you and before you know it, the pursuit of gear overtakes the reason for having it.
Best regards,
RoyM
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Keith, I really like your style of writing. It is interesting, to the point and punctuated for emphasis with great photos. I really like the one of the young lady washing her face at the waters edge. It's interesting also how so many people haven't taken anything for weeks and suddenly are inspired to get back to it. Thanks to you.
oftheherd
Veteran
They're all good photos Keith, but #2 and #5 do have a nice quality. #3 is also quite nice. The camera is obviously a keeper, allowing you to capture the beautiful but illusive Australian Water Nymph.