Al Kaplan's first Bessa-L...Need Lens

T

Todd Frederick

Todd Frederick
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Before Al Kaplan died a year or so ago, he gave me his original black Bessa-L without the 15mm lens. He said the shutter jammed from time to time and thought that if I could fix it I might like to use it. Only very recently did I find the problem (very simple) and I'd like to put it back into service.

The camera is well worn and I don't really want a bright shiny new lens at a bright shiny new price. I'm looking for something either in 15mm or 21mm (no viewfinder necessary) and perhaps showing some obvious cosmetic flaws to fit the camera's well used and weathered appearance.

I can afford about $150 or so.

He was a good friend and I'd like to carry on his tradition even though I shoot mainly digital. Sad to see his camera doing nothing!

Thank you, Todd Frederick
 
Good luck in finding a lens for that price. I'd like to have a 15mm for mine but they go usually over $250 to $300. Hope you find one though. I'd sure like to see a photo of Al's 1st Bessa L. I miss Al & you are blessed in that you knew him personally.
 
I'll never forget looking at that guys M2 at a coffee shop in Florida....it was so crusty and had some Dynamo Label tape stuck on the front that had his name on it.....it was classic.....one of us mentioned something about a CLA and he something to the sort of, just put some lighter fluid here and here and everything will be fine....it was so funny......I am stll waiting (hoping) to see the photo that he took of him and I outside that coffee shop...... I have a feeling I'll be waiting a long time.....

good luck on your search for a lens.....

cheers, michael
 
1. Michael...I posted most of his self-portraits, up to Spring of 2007 when Google blocked my access to his blog, since he did not know (or want to know) how to do anything digital. He took them with his Bessas on bargain priced color film, got them processed at Walgreens and had a CD made which he sent to me. I selected photos to post on his blog and he wrote the text. He never saw most of what he photographed and really didn't want to.

I probably have your photo on my hard drive.

2. Depending on my budget, I could go $200 for a 21mm. I had one of those once and liked it. I missed one on the classifieds here recently.

3. I'll try to post a photo of his camera if I can figure out how to do it.

Todd
 
todd, put an want to buy ad in the classifieds (they are free) and see what happens.

i just got a cv 25, used, no finder, for $175 (iirc) so there are bargains to be had.
 
Hello Todd! Several of us at RFF have been wondering about the possibility of a photo book being put together of some of Al's pictures. You seem to be the guy who may be able to make that a reality. Are you in touch at all with Al's family?
 
Thanks Todd....I met Al in December 2009 in Miami.....I met him at his favorite coffee shop (Jimmy's).....it was down the street from his house......I grew up in the area so we had a lot to talk about......that and the fact that I am living in Thailand now, so we had a lot of interesting things to talk about......that said, we had a good conversation about his "new" darkroom technique that he was working on.....I didn't bring any of my prints so I just checked out the stuff that he had brought.......to be honest, I am not sure if he has ever seen any of my work, that said I could care less....he was a cool guy to sit down with and drink a cup of coffee with.......there were some things that he said to me that I will never forget.....he was a classic guy....with a strong love for photography and rangefinders........a big cheers to that guy.......he was cool
cheers, michael
 
Frank...Good to hear from you. I have all of Al's photos taken from 2005-2007 and many of his old ones. I could make a DVD and send it to whomever is making a book. No, I have not been in touch with his family but I want to try. I have had two computers crash and seem to have lost emails. I'll try. I'd also like to know if his son has one of Al's CV wide angle lenses available.

Michael...if you met him in 2009 I don't have a photo of the two of you. I was cut off by Google sometime after 2007.

I hope I loaded this photo correctly. If not it's in my gallery (of 2 photos) LOL...I need to visit here more often.

Todd


showphoto.php
 
Russian Lens

Russian Lens

I found a 28mm Russian "pancake" lens on the e-B auction site for $35. I've used Russian lenses before and have a Kiev-60 with very good results. For that price it might be fun to use on Al's old camera even if I find something else later on.
 
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It has to be a 15mm ... I can't think of Al without instantly visualising those hand held selfies he did.

If someone has a 15mm Heliar that's been through the mill and looks beaten up ... here's the perfect home for it.


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Frank....thank you...that's the same lens !!!! Won't buy it.

Keith....I agree....it's gotta be 15mm...it's not a tribute to Al if it's not 15mm.

I'll try to contact his son to see if Al had more than one, but I doubt it. Also will check out the book idea.

I miss that 'ol devil!
 
I found Al's son's email address and sent a message about lenses Al might have had that he would be willing to sell for the Bessa-L body I have, and about the photo book idea. Will let you know if I get a reply.
 
Good luck in finding a suitable wide angle lens.
Al was a good man.
 
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I spoke with Al's son, Jonathan, and he has a 21mm CV that Al gave him which he'll sell to me. I've used a 21mm before on a Leica 1a (I think...the one without a rangefinder) and I loved it. That's a good compromise.

I may even start a "The Price of Silver-West" blog along the lines that Al envisioned with my own special twists using photos from his old camera.

Also, Jonathan hasn't gone through Al's equipment or photos yet so he doesn't really know what is in the estate. It's an awesome job...Al kept everything and has thousands of negatives and photos. He is also open to the idea of a book or monograph, but such is not even ready to consider yet. He must inventory first.

We'll keep it on the agenda and I will post Al related items here from time to time as all of this progresses.
 
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Subscribed to this thread. BTW, I was the lucky soul who purchase the 21 for $205.

Can't wait to hear more about Al's photos, negs, and gear. And the book.

Sure do miss the ol' guy.
 
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