What have you just BOUGHT?

[Muggins]

Last weekend I bought an Isolette II which, wonderful to relate, has neither lingerie instead of bellows nor green grease! I've been after one for years to go with my Kershaw 450, which I'm convinced is an Isolette knock-off. It's not particularly high spec the Apotar lens with a 4-speed Pronto shutter, but I'm looking forward to it reaching the front of the queue to play with:

Hmm. Looks as though the focus will get cleaned over winter whatever. I got a cotton bud into what I thought was grot in the intersection of the front element and the name ring... and it came away green and greasy! However the grease migrating forwards has saved the shutter blades, so I'm hoping I can get away with just doing the lens. Famous last words...

 

[Mute-on]

Hi!

The past week I bought a Leica M (Typ262)... and while it isn't the same feeling like using the M5, I like using it.

My first and only digital M is a 262. Absolutely no complaints and a real joy to use. Battery lasts forever in camera, too (well, a very long time, anyway …). Congratulations!

 

[Ken Ford]

A refurbished Nikon Z30 and 16-50 to use as a family camera and for video work.

 

[peterm1]

I just picked up a Leica M mount (early) Summicron 90mm f2. I was not intending to buy a lens but could not pass up on this. It's in gorgeous physical and mechanical condition but has a single flaw in the coating to one of the interior elements (one of the forward elements - I am guessing the second) but am not sure. Hence, I got it for an excellent price. This quite early version (1960's) is the heaviest and largest in Leica's long line of Summicron 90's. I am aware that such optical flaws are seldom visible in most shots and I am willing to take the chance, though I suspect it might show up now and then especially when shooting contre-jour. This does not bother me given the chance to own this beautiful lens and given I often shoot vintage glass and am only too aware of their quirks and deficiencies brought on by age or old optical design. Fortunately, neither does the "heft" of this lens deter me.

The following picture is the model - though not the actual lens I bought - this photo is from Ken Rockwell's site. ( My lens is in equivalent external condition ). A very pretty lens I think.

 

[boojum]

Just picked up a Leica M mount (early) Summicron 90mm f2. It's in gorgeous physical and mechanical condition but has a single flaw in the coating to one of the interior elements (one of the forward elements - I am guessing the second). Hence, I got it for an excellent price. This quite early version (1960's) is the heaviest and largest in Leica's long line of Summicron 90's. I am aware that most times such flaws are seldom visible in most shots and I am willing to take the chance, though I suspect it might show up now and then especially when shooting contre-jour. This does not bother me given the chance to own this beautiful lens and given I often shoot vintage glass and am only too aware of their quirks and deficiencies brought on by age or old optical design. Fortunately, neither does the "heft" of the lens deter me.

This is the model though not the actual lens I bought (though mine is in equivalent condition). Vey pretty I think.

View attachment 4875311

That's how we lost the farm, you know. ;o)

 

[peterm1]

That's how we lost the farm, you know. ;o)

Buying lenses caused it? (I can believe that.) 😀

 

[mrtoml]

Two boxes of Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag and a box of Bergger COT320 paper to carry on with alt printing.
Two boxes of Pictorico film for digital negatives.

 

[ellisson]

Pre-owned Leica summaron 28mm f5.6 lens (the updated version with the weird hood that will stay in the box) from a U.S. Leica seller at a good price. Many are available from Japanese and European sellers, but the tariffs would to some extent offset price reductions. I don't know how strict they would be, but eBay now gives notice to be prepared to pay a pre-delivery tariff on non-U.S purchases of photo gear.

 

[Rayt]

I bought another Barnack this time a IIF RD. The Barnacks are so compact I can travel with three of them each with a 21mm, 35mm and 50mm and still have room in a small bag for film.

 

[JeffS7444]

It's only taken me 4 years to take the plunge on a Nikon Zfc. 😛 I waited for a black version, then I acquired product literature in two languages, even a repair manual. I got myself a Nikon museum fountain pen, and miniature toy Nikon cameras. I'd periodically track prices. And this afternoon, I discovered that the black version was available from Nikon dealers (used to be exclusive to Nikon USA direct sales) and that my neighborhood dealer had one in stock for the same price as Nikon USA. I don't know that it fills any particular niche for me, but it looks nice and it's a featherweight.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Used Manfrotto 685B automatic monopod - $35 + shipping on eBay
Used Manfrotto 234RC tilt head with QR plate - $20 + shipping on eBay

My friend Bob Hickey (RIP) always used a "stick" with his Rolleiflex;
I thought I should have the same option with my Yashicamat 124.

Qty. 3 -127 rolls Rerapan 400 film

$50 shipped from B&H

For use in my other TLR camera, a Sawyer's Mark IV (aka Topcon Primo Jr.)
I thought it might be wise to stock up before tariffs increase dealer price...

Chris

__________________

 

[ruby.monkey]

Just received a Minolta 24 Rapid with a couple of Agfa Rapid cassettes included. The meter seems to work, although I don't plan to rely on it, and all in all it's a tidy little camera. Time to enjoy another couple of feet of Polypan F.

 

[Godfrey]

I just picked up a Leica M mount (early) Summicron 90mm f2. I was not intending to buy a lens but could not pass up on this. It's in gorgeous physical and mechanical condition but has a single flaw in the coating to one of the interior elements (one of the forward elements - I am guessing the second) but am not sure. Hence, I got it for an excellent price. This quite early version (1960's) is the heaviest and largest in Leica's long line of Summicron 90's. I am aware that such optical flaws are seldom visible in most shots and I am willing to take the chance, though I suspect it might show up now and then especially when shooting contre-jour. This does not bother me given the chance to own this beautiful lens and given I often shoot vintage glass and am only too aware of their quirks and deficiencies brought on by age or old optical design. Fortunately, neither does the "heft" of this lens deter me.

The following picture is the model - though not the actual lens I bought - this photo is from Ken Rockwell's site. ( My lens is in equivalent external condition ). A very pretty lens I think.

View attachment 4875311

I think I had one of those 90s an eon or three ago. It's a remarkably good performer, despite the negative comments you see about them.
Kinda like the Hektor 135mm f/4.5 ...

G

 

[peterm1]

I think I had one of those 90s an eon or three ago. It's a remarkably good performer, despite the negative comments you see about them.
Kinda like the Hektor 135mm f/4.5 ...

G

I agree about its capability. I took a couple of exploratory shots yesterday with the Summicron 90mm and they blew me away - just so much character. With this version, most people grumble about the weight of the lens when they do complain about it - I guess its all they ahve got! But really, who cares so long as it does the job? I cannot see that I will be divesting myself of this lens in a hurry.

Further, relating to the other lens you cite, when I was young and silly (comparatively) I bought a Hektor 135mm f4.5 but did not use it much because, as you say, all the claims that it was a poor performer influenced me. Not that I was really ever personally unhappy about its images. I just let myself fall for all of the pro-Elmar anti-Hektor propaganda. I still kick myself. But to be honest I later found a nice (very un-British sounding) Dallmeyer Dalrac 135mm f4.5. for cheap. It has I believe, very similar optics and I can say it's an excellent performer. It is a bit of a rarity, being made for (or at least used by) a British-made Reid LTM camera and eBay asking prices are really quite high. So at least there is that! I probably would not have been motivated to buy it had I kept the Hektor.

 

[DownUnder]

This is my answer to "For heaven's sake, when are you going to grow up?" Can't help it, we didn't have have these sorts of things when I was young, and if we had, my folks would've thought it insufficiently grim. Perhaps I'll see if I can dangle one of the Nikon miniatures around it's fuzzy neck.

The process of ordering one via app is quite the experience, as Pop Mart is expert at laying on the pressure! In real time, you are treated to on-screen representations of boxes being snapped up at a frenzied rate. Suffice to say I'm, uh, probably not their usual customer demographic.
View attachment 4875071

Every school kid in Indonesia has one of these on his/her backpack. Likely not an original, but close enough - and cheap enough.

So you are in distinguished company...

 

[Godfrey]

I agree about its capability. I took a couple of exploratory shots yesterday with the Summicron 90mm and they blew me away - just so much character. With this version, most people grumble about the weight of the lens when they do complain about it - I guess its all they ahve got! But really, who cares so long as it does the job? I cannot see that I will be divesting myself of this lens in a hurry.

Further, relating to the other lens you cite, when I was young and silly (comparatively) I bought a Hektor 135mm f4.5 but did not use it much because, as you say, all the claims that it was a poor performer influenced me. Not that I was really ever personally unhappy about its images. I just let myself fall for all of the pro-Elmar anti-Hektor propaganda. I still kick myself. But to be honest I later found a nice (very un-British sounding) Dallmeyer Dalrac 135mm f4.5. for cheap. It has I believe, very similar optics and I can say it's an excellent performer. It is a bit of a rarity, being made for (or at least used by) a British-made Reid LTM camera and eBay asking prices are really quite high. So at least there is that! I probably would not have been motivated to buy it had I kept the Hektor.

I have a theory about the Hektor 135: My father had one and used it almost exclusively on a Visoflex short mount. He used it to record his dental reconstruction work (he was a dental surgeon). A good friend of mine, many years later, had one and used it with the rangefinder on his M3 ... and hated it. An inexpensive 135 on a Nikon FM did a lot better. ...

I bought one some years back and use it with the M10-M and M10-R. Used with the rangefinder mount, it is clumsy and takes a lot of effort and practice to get the focus just right. Used with the EVF on either camera, it is smooth and easy to use, and you can nail the focus perfectly with virtually no effort.

So I think much of the bad reputation comes from the fact that the rangefinder mount for the Hektor 135 was simply not up to the task for most people to master critical focusing with, and as a result the lens reputation suffered.

G

 

[peterm1]

I have a theory about the Hektor 135: My father had one and used it almost exclusively on a Visoflex short mount. He used it to record his dental reconstruction work (he was a dental surgeon). A good friend of mine, many years later, had one and used it with the rangefinder on his M3 ... and hated it. An inexpensive 135 on a Nikon FM did a lot better. ...

I bought one some years back and use it with the M10-M and M10-R. Used with the rangefinder mount, it is clumsy and takes a lot of effort and practice to get the focus just right. Used with the EVF on either camera, it is smooth and easy to use, and you can nail the focus perfectly with virtually no effort.

So I think much of the bad reputation comes from the fact that the rangefinder mount for the Hektor 135 was simply not up to the task for most people to master critical focusing with, and as a result the lens reputation suffered.

G

I can certainly attest to the difficulty of proper focusing longer lenses on rangefinder cameras. I used mine on mirrorless cameras and so dodged a bullet in this regard. 🙂 I have never used one on visoflex so cannot offer an opinion in that regard.

 

[p.giannakis]

A walk to the charity shops got me a very nice Pentax-M 28f/2.8 for the grand total of £6

 

[raydm6]

Found a mint Voigtlander Vito B at the antique shop yesterday for $12 USD. I thought the shutter was stuck but after a little reading in the threads, camera needs a film inserted to operate. Popped in a roll and she works fine.

Beautiful little jewel of a camera.

 

[raydm6]

Found a mint Voigtlander Vito B at the antique shop yesterday for $12 USD. I thought the shutter was stuck but after a little reading in the threads, camera needs a film inserted to operate. Popped in a roll and she works fine.

I may have spoken too soon: sounds like the shutter fires but the leaves aren't opening - even on "B". I'll exercise the shutter some more to see if there's hope.