Viewing Lens Filter? Gordy Strap? Diacord Leather?

[ChrisP]

I just purchased a Diacord and now I'm (im)patiently waiting for it to arrive!

I have a few questions because I'm a little bit excited about the camera but it isn't here to look at yet so I can't figure this stuff out for myself (I should really just wait a week for it to get here instead of posting on the forum but like I said, I'm a little excited)

Is the viewing lens threaded for a filter? I'm very much a fan of using protective or UV filters, especially with fixed lens camera (lets not get into a debate about whether that is a good or bad thing), and I'd probably only use two filters, a UV filter in normal circumstances and a red filter sometimes for landscapes in B+W. So i figure if the viewing lens is threaded for a filter I can just have both on the camera at the same time and switch them for whatever scenario I'm in.

Second is about the Gordy Strap. Which do you reccomend for a TLR? The horizontal lug mount strap? And how is the durability of the polyester cord? That seems like the only weak spot to me. Has anyone had problems with this fraying or breaking or anything?

Third has anyone replaced the leather on the Diacord? From what I can gather mine is the Diacord G.This isn't on CameraLeather, is there another source for replacing the leather? Has anyone has any luck getting CameraLeathter to do custom jobs like this, does Camera leather just sell sheets of their griptack material that I could have someone custom cut to the right shape?

Finally has anyone used a Rick Olsen Focus Screen in this camera? Helpful? Not helpful? Brighter? Dimmer?

Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[JPD]

Is the viewing lens threaded for a filter? I'm very much a fan of using protective or UV filters, especially with fixed lens camera (lets not get into a debate about whether that is a good or bad thing), and I'd probably only use two filters, a UV filter in normal circumstances and a red filter sometimes for landscapes in B+W. So i figure if the viewing lens is threaded for a filter I can just have both on the camera at the same time and switch them for whatever scenario I'm in.

The Diacord should have bayonet I on both lenses. You don't have to use a UV filter if you use modern films with a UV-protective layer. If you use Efke/Adox or Foma films you can use the UV filter if you're photographing in the mountain areas or near the sea.

It would be difficult to focus if you have the red filter on the viewing lens. The focusing screen will become two-three stops darker and look red. Keep the filters in a pouch instead.

The only times I use the upper bayonet is when I use the close-up lenses, and then the parallax-correcting lens goes on the viewing lens.

 

[ChrisP]

Just thought of that

Just thought of that

Yeah I realized focusing through a red filter would be trouble about 10 minutes after I posted. Can you stack filters and Lens hoods with Bay 1 stuff? From what I read a lens hood seems like a pretty good idea.

 

[Vics]

Yeah I realized focusing through a red filter would be trouble about 10 minutes after I posted. Can you stack filters and Lens hoods with Bay 1 stuff? From what I read a lens hood seems like a pretty good idea.

Everyone should use a hood on any camera all the time. I don't believe in "protective" filters, however.
I am a fan of the red filter as well, though. Wonderful effect!

 

[JPD]

Can you stack filters and Lens hoods with Bay 1 stuff? From what I read a lens hood seems like a pretty good idea.

See to that you get a lens hood that goes on the outer bayonet, like the Yashica and Rollei hoods. Then you can use the filter in the inner bayonet and the hood on the outer.

If filters can be stacked, it depends on if they have a female bayonet. Some have and some don't.

 

[JPD]

I am a fan of the red filter as well, though. Wonderful effect!

Personally I don't like the red filter for landscapes. The effect is too dramatic for my taste. I prefer orange. It cuts through haze, enhances the perceived sharpness and darkens the sky without looking unnatural.

 

[shadowfox]

I agree with JPD on almost all accounts:

- Get a bay-1 close up kit, it allows you to take pictures that are not possible otherwise. I got a Rolleinar for my Ricohmatic 225.

- I never used a hood on my TLR, just need to be mindful of where the sun is.

- Get a left hand grip. Unlike some Rollei, Ricoh TLRs has no bulging knob or dials on the left wall, so you can get a tripod-hole-mounted grip and use it.

 

[ChrisP]

Starting to make sense

Starting to make sense

This bay 1 stuff is starting to make sense to me now. I assume most Rollei hoods are about the same size? If I buy a bay 1 to normal filter adapter, what is the biggest size that will fit inside the hood? All my Pentax stuff uses 49mm filters so If those would fit on that't be fantastic, I wouldn't need very many new filters.

 

[hefty]

You can get Bay 1 to 49mm filter adapters but I very much doubt you'll find a Bay 1 hood that would fit over it. You could always get a 49mm screw-in hood though and stack it with the filter.

 

[JPD]

Second is about the Gordy Strap. Which do you reccomend for a TLR?

I think the best type of straps is the loop type, like this:
http://www.jjc.cc/images/camera_strap_c.jpg

I took a look at the Gordy straps and they use a split-ring that can wear through to the strap-lugs on the camera with time (hard steel against soft aluminum). I don't recommend them. Others have string loops that I would feel uncomfortable with even if they are strong. The sharp edges on the strap-lugs may cause fraying and the string to break.

 

[Mablo]

I used Gordy's strap with mine without any problems. Well... I only use Gordy's straps because I think they are the best ones available.

 

[JPD]

I used Gordy's strap with mine without any problems. Well... I only use Gordy's straps because I think they are the best ones available.

I'm sure it works with the string, but I would have a constant fear of it wearing, fraying and suddenly breaking. It also looks like a temporary solution with a thin string between the strap and camera.

I'm still traumatized since the strap broke and the camera fell on the hard asphalt ten years ago. It's now in my spare parts bin. 🙁

My father uses a loop strap on his Yashica A (both presents from me 😀 ). It feels very secure.

 

[Matus]

To me the TLR is a good candidate for a neck strap both because of the weight and shape. I do use a Gordy's wrist strap (and I like it) but only with the Konica Auto S3 - a small fixed lens rangefinder. With the Mamiya 6 I did my own wrist strap out of para-cord, but it is mostly used for safety if the camera should fall out of my hand.

 

[ChrisP]

Strap and hood

Strap and hood

Well I'm not a big fan of this one http://www.jjc.cc/images/camera_strap_c.jpg, first my friend shoots Canon and when I buy my next digital it will be a Nikon, so I'm forced to despise everything Canon and second I think half the appeal of using a TLR is no one takes you seriously because it looks so old! To keep with this really really old feel I want a plain leather strap like the Gordy straps.

But I am kind of worried about the string part wearing and getting frayed, or else having hardened steel rubbing against 50's aluminum. Is there anything else anyone would recommend?

Also does any1 know where to pick up a decent Bay 1 lens hood that fits on the outside of the lens, is preferably metal and doesn't cost too much. The Rollei one's I find on Ebay are like $30 bucks, that half of what I paid for the Diacord!

 

[bwcolor]

I probably have five adjustable Gordy Straps and just ordered another. All have the integral leather bumper and the one on order will have the shoulder pad. No problem so far. Congrats on your new setup.

 

[ChrisP]

Cheap stuff

Cheap stuff

I bought for my Rolleicord Vb a Domke Gripper like this one. It is easy to attach and really soft.
And $30 bucks are not that much for the bay I lens hood. Ok, compared to your the Diacord it is.

Yeah the problem with finding cheap cameras is it makes everything else seems expensive.

Does anyone make new generic Bay 1 lens hoods?

 

[Mablo]

At least B&H sells a generic Bay-1 rubber hood. Concerning Rick Oleson's replacement view screens I don't think a Diacord needs one. I have one of his screens on my Rolleicord and it's much better than the dim Rolleicord screen. For $30 it's a great deal but Diacord's view screen is quite bright and easy to focus provided it's properly cleaned.

 

[JPD]

Well I'm not a big fan of this one http://www.jjc.cc/images/camera_strap_c.jpg, first my friend shoots Canon and when I buy my next digital it will be a Nikon, so I'm forced to despise everything Canon and second I think half the appeal of using a TLR is no one takes you seriously because it looks so old! To keep with this really really old feel I want a plain leather strap like the Gordy straps.

Hey, loop-straps comes in all flavours and with and without brand markings. Most are synthetic but some are of leather. You can also let someone that works with leather make a leather strap for you.

A shoemaker here in town repaired a couple of camera cases for me, and made a new strap for one of them for only around 20 SEK ($3 USD).😀

Examples of leather loop-straps, easy to make:

http://www.hypebeast.com/image/2010/04/roberu-2010-spring-summer-leather-goods-1.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5003564973_fd483328e9_z.jpg

http://www.despresphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/camera%20leather%20neck%20strap.jpg

 

[PMCC]

I bought for my Rolleicord Vb a Domke Gripper like this one. It is easy to attach and really soft.
And $30 bucks are not that much for the bay I lens hood. Ok, compared to your the Diacord it is.

+1 for Domke Gripper straps with swivel. I prefer the wider 1 1/2 inch width for TLRs. Remember, one TLR technique is to tension the camera strap for a steady hold during shutter release. You want something robust that won't cut into your neck when you pull down on the camera, whether at waist level or with the strap looped around your hand at eye level (or even pulled up for overhead shots with the camera upside down).

You can find plastic Bay 1 fit hoods online for less than $10. But I think it's worth splurging $30-40 for a metal one, ala Rollei, Yashica or Accura, so that you can be sure you're able to use it with a filter. You may have only paid $60 for the Diacord, but in fact it's an underpriced camera in general, and you got a good deal. Because of the shallow mounting of the taking lens, all TLRs are inherently prone to flare. For that reason, i regard use of a lens hood as essential. May as well get a decent one.

 

[PMCC]

Concerning Rick Oleson's replacement view screens I don't think a Diacord needs one. I have one of his screens on my Rolleicord and it's much better than the dim Rolleicord screen. For $30 it's a great deal but Diacord's view screen is quite bright and easy to focus provided it's properly cleaned.

I agree that the Diacord screen is bright enough. That said, I like Rick's screens as replacements for the dim Rolleicord screens as well, but in my experience Diacords and Autocords (at least all fresnel equipped models) don't need them, and getting Rick's screens requires making the trade-off of better corner brightness at the expense of focusing "pop".