Hello and a question or two

[cp_ste.croix]

So I thought I'd say hi, and mention how great i think this site is!

I recently found a couple of old RF's from my family, one is a Konica EEmatic (that i spent forever fixing, i hate little screws!), and another is a 'Royal 35' about which I can find no information. If anyone knows anything about this camera, I would be delighted to know...i'm waiting on some film i ran through it. I also recently bought a GSN on *bay and can't wait for it to come in the mail.

I do have another question too, there is a camera show I am going to this weekend, and I was wondering if it might be a good place to pick up a deal or two? Are camera shows usually good for prices? I am looking for either a great (but affordable MF system for landscapes/portraits) or a RF for b&w portraits/street shooting. Image quality is my most important feature, and AP at least might be nice. Any suggestions?

thanks,

chris

 

[cp_ste.croix]

I might also mention that i'm not rich, but would prefer to save for one great camera/lens rather than buying a few, filler combos. It took me forever to save for my eos 1v... ;-)

 

[rover]

Camera shows could be hit or miss. The first two I went to I ended up not buying anything because I wasn't confident in the prices and quality of what I was looking at. If I were to go again I would do much better now. I am glad that I went it gave me an idea of what was out there and I got to see and handle some old classics that I otherwise would not have. I would say to go and have a good time and learn.

 

[wierdcollector]

Hi Chris,
Your Royal 35 was made by the Royal Camera Co. in Japan circa 1960. It should have a non-interchangeable Tominor 50mm f2.8 lens and Copal shutter with speeds of 1 sec.-1/300. Can't help with a value as my McKeown's guide is from 97/98. Sounds like a nice old RF.
How do you like the Konica EE matic? I have an EEmatic and an EEmatic S. The S works fine, the EEmatic is on again/ off again. Hope you enjoy the group, they're all nice folk here.
For a street RF you can't go far wrong with a Canon Canonet QL 17 Glll. As far as the medium format for a budget camera, are you looking for a folder ie. Agfa Isolette/Iskra, a TLR ie. Ricohflex/Yashica D or a RF model? Medium format can be done as cheaply as a Holga or as expensive as a Hassy, depend on your needs/preferences/price range. Hope this helps a bit. Take care and make sure you attend that camera show if only to make us all green with envy when you pick up a great deal,lol.

 

[Doug]

Welcome to RFF, Chris! I've gone a few times to the big late-April camera show in Puyallup WA. I've learned that it's best to know thoroughly the item you're shopping for: versions, common problems to look for, values. If you buy "blind" you're in danger of disappointment, as the item may have damage you might have detected had you known what to look for. Some vendors are more straightforward and informative than others. In all, you might be better off buying mail-order from KEH, but camera shows are fun. You get to handle the gear and trade lies with others!

 

[cp_ste.croix]

Hey everyone,

for MF i was thinking of either a folding camera, or something like a bronica or mamiya (the ones that look like a hassy, but are cheaper)...i would probably want 1 lens to start, something wide, but fast and sharp.

I probably won't end up buying anything this time, assuming I can resist the impulse...unless it's that cannonette. I hope they don't take plastic, it may be my only defense, as my gf has bailed on going with me due to work...

Your Royal 35 was made by the Royal Camera Co. in Japan circa 1960. It should have a non-interchangeable Tominor 50mm f2.8 lens and Copal shutter with speeds of 1 sec.-1/300.

After I posted this, I went over to my dad's and stole...er...liberated the Royal...it says it's a Royal 35-M with a Tominor 45 2.8. Shutter speed is actually from B-500. The shutter speed and aperature are linked via one dial which turns to set an EV value (i think...it's a number from 2-17 which corresponds to the lightmeter needle on top of the camera. ASA is 12-800 and is set on said lightmeter. It's got a cold shoe and a little door flips up to expose the lightmeter cells. There are some letters to set the ASA setting/light meter that I don't understand...a black 'A', a green 'L' and a red 'H'...i guess i'll see if i picked the right one to set my film by.

How do you like the Konica EE matic? I have an EEmatic and an EEmatic S. The S works fine, the EEmatic is on again/ off again. Hope you enjoy the group, they're all nice folk here.

I've not yet tested it, as I am currently only mobile on crutches (ACL replacement sugery). It had 2 screws out in the lens assemble which worked their way into the camera and started breaking stuff...having nothing to lose, i disassembled it muh in the way i did to my dad's stuff when i was a kid, only this time i'm pretty confident i got it all back and working...the front glass piece on the rf is a little loose and occasionally misaligns, and i'm not sure the glass over the exposure counter is even there anymore, but everything else seems to look fine. How were the pics you got from it? The lightmeter cell looks really cool...but the max asa 200 might preclude my shooting with this too much.

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

chris

 

[Doug]

I probably won't end up buying anything this time, assuming I can resist the impulse...unless it's that cannonette. I hope they don't take plastic, it may be my only defense, as my gf has bailed on going with me due to work...

Good luck, have fun... and cash is the order of the day, in my experience. The vendors are mostly private parties without credit card capability. They may suggest you visit the ATM around the corner for the necessary wherewithal! Cash is negotiable and final; checks can bounce and CC transactions can be reversed.

 

[wierdcollector]

Hi Chris,
The H,L,A will probably be High, Low and Average. At least that's how my Konica Auto S, Wards AM450 and Wards AM 550 designate them. I'll have to dig up more info from my file system (heaps of unorganized papers rammed into several binders, lol) before I can give you exact number values. The Royal 35-M is a good camera too, with some nice features, but made in 1957 and worth a bit less than the original Royal 35. For a folder (to get your feet wet) you might try an often overlooked and under priced Kodak Tourist. Several models came with with very nice Anastar/Anaston lenses and either Flash Diomatic or Syncro-Rapid shutters. Also plenty of good quality Agfas out there, just be aware that most focus rings may be tight or stuck on these. Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Roman]

The Mamiya 645 system would be a very good choice for an MF system for landscape - very reliable, yet affordable, with a great choice of used and new lenses and accesories; I personally own a Mamiya 645 Super (that's the first model with interchangeable film backs - nice if you want to shoot color and B&W at the same time), with 35, 70 and 150mm lenses; there are also 45 and 55mm wideangles, a bit cheaper than the 35. What's also nice about this system is that it is rather compact and lightweigth for an MF system - good for hiking, I carry my setup (3 lenses mentioned above, 2 film-backs, camera body and prism finder, a few filters) in a Lowepro OffRoad waist-pack (with extra shoulder harness, so I can carry my other, non-photo stuff in a daypack on my back.

Roman