What have you just BOUGHT?

Thanks J!

Hmm. This is a pretty small bag and, even stuffed full, I don't think there's anything wrong with the standard strap in terms of comfort. I walked with it for about an hour and a half on a hot day, with the kit I described, and it was perfectly comfortable. (All up bag weight with that kit is 3 lbs, 6 oz total ... add another lens and it's 4 lbs ... not very much!)

But, of course, everyone has different notions of what's light and what's heavy, or what's bulky or not. For me, a heavy bag seems to start at around 6 or 7 lbs ... throw the Hasselblad 907x and two lenses in, and it's getting pretty heavy. ;)

G

post script: Today I carried the same kit on my bicycle for a 12 mile ride using my favorite camera sling bag, the Wotancraft Mini Rider. With the harness straps set up just right, I don't even notice that I'm carrying anything at all. It's so invisible to me, in fact, that I forgot I was carrying a camera and didn't stop to take any photos. LOL!
Thanks Godfrey. This is somewhat reassuring. However I will assume you don’t have collarbones that stick out like coat hooks, as I do. A conservatively loaded Pilot 7l with its very nicely padded strap will start to dig in after an hour or less. Even my Billingham L2 with the SP15 strap pad managed to leave a bruise after a couple of days. I realise I’m in the overwhelming minority in this regard.
 
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Thanks Godfrey. This is somewhat reassuring. However I will assume you don’t have collarbones that stick out like coat hooks, as I do. A conservatively loaded Pilot 7l with its very nicely padded strap will start to dig in after an hour or less. Even my Billingham L2 with the SP15 strap pad managed to leave a bruise after a couple of days. I realise I’m in the overwhelming minority in this regard.
Yes, I have thick, meaty shoulders ... LOL! I recall a doctor's summary of my physique some years back: "... Tall and powerfully built ..." I should have framed it, wish I'd had that as a certificate back when I was young enough for it to matter. ;)

As to new things bought, I'm on the hunt for more Ferrania P33. Seems everyone is out of stock right now, unless I'm willing to spend $20+ per roll on EBay. It's a very nice film. :D

G
 
Just bought 8 rolls of Velvia 100 in 35mm and 5 rolls of Velvia 50 in 220.
Are you doing your own processing? My understanding is that it is illegal to sell or commercially process Velvia 100 (and only Velvia 100) in the USA because of environmental regulations that were passed a while ago. I'm sure it's possible to bypass sales regulations if purchasing online, but commercial labs won't touch it. I think these restrictions are true for EU countries as well.
I ask because I have some sitting in the freezer, looking forlorn and unloved.
 
Are you doing your own processing? My understanding is that it is illegal to sell or commercially process Velvia 100 (and only Velvia 100) in the USA because of environmental regulations that were passed a while ago. I'm sure it's possible to bypass sales regulations if purchasing online, but commercial labs won't touch it. I think these restrictions are true for EU countries as well.
I ask because I have some sitting in the freezer, looking forlorn and unloved.
Fujifilm can’t distribute it in the US anymore but that does not prevent it from changing hands between private sellers (it’s available on eBay still). I ship all of mine to Canada for processing. I shot most of a 20-pack of it earlier this year and have a few rolls left but wanted to restock since there’s more of it available than Provia.

With that being said, I’m hoping that Fuji is able to source raw materials and resume making Provia 100. I’ve been shooting Ektachrome 100 re-spooled from bulk rolls, but I definitely prefer all of Fuji’s slide emulsions.
 
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Fujifilm can’t distribute it in the US anymore but that does not prevent it from changing hands between private sellers (it’s available on eBay still). I ship all of mine to Canada for processing. I shot most of a 20-pack of it earlier this year and have a few rolls left but wanted to restock since there’s more of it available than Provia.
As I thought. Thanks for the clarification! Let's hope the supply situation for Fuji transparency films improves sometime soon; I switched to E100 because of that, but I'm less than thrilled with its look. I'm afraid we can't be too choosy these days. Using eBay for film gives me the willies!
 
Fuji magnifying finder for the GX680. Tried to buy one of these from KEH a few months ago and after a few days they came back and said they couldn't complete the order. They just had another one so I snagged it and this time it arrived.

These are a little different than your typical magnifying finder. The loupe is articulated and can move all over the focusing screen to better see the effects of the movements.

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It is also hinged to see the entire focus screen.

53938983913_1d5d892186_b.jpg
 
Fuji magnifying finder for the GX680. Tried to buy one of these from KEH a few months ago and after a few days they came back and said they couldn't complete the order. They just had another one so I snagged it and this time it arrived.

These are a little different than your typical magnifying finder. The loupe is articulated and can move all over the focusing screen to better see the effects of the movements.

53939067789_1c6a925a67_b.jpg


53939189535_0c286e19fb_b.jpg


It is also hinged to see the entire focus screen.

53938983913_1d5d892186_b.jpg
I hate to use the phrase "thinking outside the box", but Fuji really did some creative thinking in the design of this system. I'm sure you're enjoying it!
 
I hate to use the phrase "thinking outside the box", but Fuji really did some creative thinking in the design of this system. I'm sure you're enjoying it!
It is a cool system, and very fun. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use it most of the summer as I have thrown my back out, twice. Just about better and want to get out with it to burn some film and to try out the 180mm f3.2 which is supposed to be gorgeous.
 
It is a cool system, and very fun. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use it most of the summer as I have thrown my back out, twice. Just about better and want to get out with it to burn some film and to try out the 180mm f3.2 which is supposed to be gorgeous.
Bad backs and medium format are not always such a good combination. One of the reasons I love my little Rolleiflexes! Take care of your back, and maybe don't use the Fuji with that neck strap! ;)
 
Keeping up with Vince Lupo can be difficult. I was taken by his Macro shots and stumbled on a full Lens, Bellows, Transparency copy board kit at a really nice price so I bought it.
 
Just picked up a Leicaflex SL2 body. I will be sending it to DAG for a CLA.

View attachment 4843057
I love mine -- when I got it, it had capping at 1/2000 (an issue with the SL2) and desilvering in the prism -- Don made it good as new and it's been great since then (20 years give or take). A really nice camera -- mine has the Summilux so it's a hefty package.
 
This is my first SL2, I also have a chrome Standard, and a SL MOT which DAG CLA’ed, and three SL’s. They are a great camera to use, a bit heavy.

Cary Chin
Retired Industrial/Scientific Photographer
BFA Brooks Institute of Photography
 
A 1958 J-3 in LTM from an eBay seller in Kazahkstan, It was 90 USD, pretty cheap probably because the focusing mechanism was very stiff with old dried grease. I bought it as a parts lens because I was looking for a donor LTM mount to convert a Contax/Kiev mount lens. The focus mechanism is very stiff, but the glass is beautiful. I did the one meter/wide open test and the focus is perfect as is, so no shimming required. I took the lens apart and cleaned and re-lubricated the helical, now very smooth. I feel kinda guilty about using it as a donor mount, but will probably do it anyway given that I have already have a number of great KMZ J-3s.
 
A 1958 J-3 in LTM from an eBay seller in Kazahkstan, It was 90 USD, pretty cheap probably because the focusing mechanism was very stiff with old dried grease. I bought it as a parts lens because I was looking for a donor LTM mount to convert a Contax/Kiev mount lens. The focus mechanism is very stiff, but the glass is beautiful. I did the one meter/wide open test and the focus is perfect as is, so no shimming required. I took the lens apart and cleaned and re-lubricated the helical, now very smooth. I feel kinda guilty about using it as a donor mount, but will probably do it anyway given that I have already have a number of great KMZ J-3s.
[ snip ]
It was sentiment like that which has led me to having now four, perfect, recently refurbished and serviced Kodak Retina IIc cameras... Sigh!

This looks an interesting lens. I've pretty much avoided all the Russian lenses since I have zero experience with them and no way to borrow any and see what they're like. That said, I have enough lenses in LTM to suit everything I need/want for the Leica IIIc I acquired recently.

G
 
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My first Rollei - a 2.8E. I’ve had Yashicas and Mamiyas in the past that I sold and decided I wanted a TLR once again. Bought it through eBay from Jimmy Koh who is a former Rollei repairman - included a CLA by him. Everything checks out so far and now I am about to shoot the first roll to check for light leaks and film advance/spacing. Fingers crossed cause it was a great deal and I want to keep it…
 
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