First rangefinder photos in over 30 years!

[dmr]

(Not to show my true age.)

For those who have been following the story of the QL17, I had a quick overnight business trip earlier this week, and I figured it would be a great chance to give the recently repaired QL17 a good test. I found a 12 exposure roll and just shot various things while waiting in the airports (I had one connection in Denver) trying outside and inside available light shots.

I finished the roll upon arriving and I dropped it off at Wally World on my way to the meeting.

Surprisingly, they came out much better than expected! Exposure was very good, even with the "wrong" battery in it. The negatives showed the expected density.

These are all scanned from the prints, so they probably won't do justice, but most of them were amazingly sharp! Here are a few from that roll. I hope the links work:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/10051/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/

That was the very first one. Those vertical streaks just right of the near plane are reflections in the airport glass. I did *NOT* notice such reflections in the viewfinder. I guess I should make a habit of shooting closer to the glass ...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/10053/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/

This one shows reflections as well. I have to keep that in mind when shooting with this thing.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/10054/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/

This is one of several airport interior shots I took. Some of these did show quite a bit of camera shake. I can consistently hold the Pentax at 1/30 and I remember I could do the same at 1/15 with the old Mamiya (or at least I think I could) , but I'm gonna have to practice with the GIII. This was braced on a railing.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/10055/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/

This was thru the window, but it was much clearer and lighter outside at this time and I sure can't see any reflections in this one.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/10056/sort/1/size/medium/cat/500/page/

Interior shot of lighted sign. Again, braced on a railing.

I was very encouraged with these, and I actually turned down an invitation that evening so I could do a few rolls on the Las Vegas Strip. I took those to the indie lab I use and they will be ready this afternoon. If they come out fine, I'll post some. {crossing fingers}

Anyway, what a long strange trip this has been.

If Jon is listening in, his light seal kit worked fine. The hardest part was removing, rubbing and scraping, the old seal material, which mostly melted into an amorphous blob of icky tar-like goo when hit with alcohol. That stuff does not come off your fingers easily. The hardest part of installing the kit was deciding whether to use the fabric or foam hinge side seal. I used the fabric one, most like the original, and that one was the hardest to get out. The negatives did not show any streaks from light leaks, so I guess I did something right.

Anyway, it's been quite an experience, and I thank everybody here for all of the help and encouragement.

I'm not sure how accurate the focus is, so I'll probably take a few shots at known distances with the lens wide open and see how those go.

 

[peter_n]

Good for you doing the fix yourself! Surprised that you were "allowed" to take pics inside an airport...

 

[dmr]

Good for you doing the fix yourself!

Thanks. It was quite an experience.

Surprised that you were "allowed" to take pics inside an airport...

I didn't even think of that. That's becoming a sore subject, it seems like everything I shoot lately is said to be forbidden, even a sculpture in a park.

That first shot I took (Northwest and Southwest), I was in very clear view of the TSA security screening people, as they are right at the entrance to the satellite gate area. Nobody said anything.

 

[Kin Lau]

In both LAX & Honolulu, the only restriction on photography was where they were doing security checks, everywhere else was okay.

 

[Pherdinand]

Yeah, that's denver airport, i can recognize the tent-like rooftops Great pics, i'm glad to see that all is okay with the little canonet.

When flying back from Denver, i had great fun with the security folks. They asked me to empty all my pockets into the little baskets. In my righthandside pocket of my jeans i had a somewhat used, wrinkled napkin. I pulled it out and asked: "Do you need this one too?" - "Yes, sir!" -they said. But i got it back, luckily.

 

[kuvvy]

Can't wait to see your Vegas shots as I'm going later this year. Hopefully they will be excellent and will teach me something or if not I can learn from you mistakes

Paul

 

[kiev4a]

I've been pulled aside for additional search in Denver and virtually every airport I've visited since 9-11 (except Maui). I have concluded I am the token 60-year-old graying white male that has to be checked to prove they aren't discriminating. I'm to the point where if my destination is no more than two days travel by car, I drive.

 

[dmr]

In both LAX & Honolulu, the only restriction on photography was where they were doing security checks, everywhere else was okay.

Ya know, I wish that in areas where photography is supposedly forbidden that they would post something like a sign with a circle-slash-camera or even a verbal "no photos" sign. It seems like everywhere it's supposedly prohibited, it's always after the fact. They even have "no strollers" signs in some hotels and casinos. They could at least do the same where they don't want people taking photos.

 

[dmr]

Can't wait to see your Vegas shots as I'm going later this year.

I've got a couple collections of semi-random Las Vegas and area photos on line at:

http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas1.html

and

http://www.letis.com/dmr/pics/vegas/vegas2/

Some of these are quite recent, and some of these go back maybe 10 years or so. Some are scanned from prints and some were scanned at a very good independent lab.

None of these are rangefinder shots, though ...

I've got a third page in the works coming soon.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Good shots, and great going with the "dead Canonet". Isn't it always more fulfilling to use a camera, or piece of equipment, that you repaired yourself!

Did your Dad give you his 35mm RF to use when you were 4 years old too? Must be.

 

[dmr]

Good shots, and great going with the "dead Canonet". Isn't it always more fulfilling to use a camera, or piece of equipment, that you repaired yourself!

Yes, it's really a confidence builder. I should have taken some photos of the thing disassembled. The worst part of the whole thing was getting the old seals off. That was a NASTY job! Ick!

Did your Dad give you his 35mm RF to use when you were 4 years old too?

No, they gave me a Brownie Starflash.

Actually, my dad did not have a 35mm until we gave him one right after he retired. For years he swore he would "never go 35" and he had a couple of the older folding 120 roll film cameras. He seemed to lose interest in photography so we gave him one to see if he would get back in it. He did. (MHRIP)

 

[taffer]

Yes, it's really a confidence builder. I should have taken some photos of the thing disassembled. The worst part of the whole thing was getting the old seals off. That was a NASTY job! Ick!

DITTO !

But I'm also happy that you could resurrect your Canonet, it's true that there's something great on using a tool that you could repair yourself

 

[Sonnar Brian]

On getting the seals off: on my 4th one I "DUH" took the pressure plate off. That made it a lot easier. Poured Isopropyl Alchohol in and swabbed it out. That was the easiest one for me.

The pressure plate is easy to get on and off. Just "squeezes" in like most since the '50s have done. No screws or rivets.

 

[Kin Lau]

Just got my QL17 out, and the pressure plate is incredibly easy to remove. Thanks for the tip.