ped
Small brown dog
Hi guys
I originally linked to this thread when I came here looking for information about the filter size of one of my lenses. After spending some time here I realised I loved this forum and have decided to post the story of my camera renovation here.
I hope you enjoy it!
ped
P.s whilst this thread is almost all pictures of the camera itself, you can see pictures taken with the camera here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/sets/72157623365003418/ this camera is, after all, designed to be used and I use it all the time alongside my recent purchase, and R-D1
I originally linked to this thread when I came here looking for information about the filter size of one of my lenses. After spending some time here I realised I loved this forum and have decided to post the story of my camera renovation here.
I hope you enjoy it!
ped
P.s whilst this thread is almost all pictures of the camera itself, you can see pictures taken with the camera here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/sets/72157623365003418/ this camera is, after all, designed to be used and I use it all the time alongside my recent purchase, and R-D1
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ped
Small brown dog
My grandfather recently gave me a lovely 1950's Braun Paxette camera, with the 45mm lens that he bought with the camera in Dixons in the 50s.
Since being given such an awesome gift (I was just getting into photography having recently bought my first DSLR) I decided to track down some original accessories for the Braun. Luckily they are relatively cheap and can be found on places like eBay and I have found some really cool vintage camera shops on my travels.
Here is what I started with:
45mm lens, prints taken in Dorset with Ilford FP4
Loved using the camera - feels so tactile and mechanical. I was using my DSLR to help me with light readings and so forth, but started to guess as I got more used to it.
Next I found an 85mm lens in a nice photography shop in Warwick for the princely sum of £35
I wasn't able to use it right away because I didn't have a correct viewfinder to use with it. Next came a 135mm Enna lens:
...which came with the leather lens case shown here:
So naturally next I wanted a viewfinder. I ordered a Russian turret viewfinder but soon after managed to find a proper Braun one!
Since being given such an awesome gift (I was just getting into photography having recently bought my first DSLR) I decided to track down some original accessories for the Braun. Luckily they are relatively cheap and can be found on places like eBay and I have found some really cool vintage camera shops on my travels.
Here is what I started with:
45mm lens, prints taken in Dorset with Ilford FP4
Loved using the camera - feels so tactile and mechanical. I was using my DSLR to help me with light readings and so forth, but started to guess as I got more used to it.
Next I found an 85mm lens in a nice photography shop in Warwick for the princely sum of £35
I wasn't able to use it right away because I didn't have a correct viewfinder to use with it. Next came a 135mm Enna lens:
...which came with the leather lens case shown here:
So naturally next I wanted a viewfinder. I ordered a Russian turret viewfinder but soon after managed to find a proper Braun one!
ped
Small brown dog
And finally I managed to find a book about the camera written in the 50s and a magazine cutting with a review of the same model. Also found a box and case (My granddad gave me a case too but it was quite badly worn along the edges so it didn't function)
And this was joined by a second lens case, so now I can wear them both on a strap and carry the 45/85 in one and the 135 in the other.
I have a foam case to store all the gear, so it will be in perfect condition when I hand it down in 50 years or so - though I plan on using it, too.
Also on my list (let me know if you can help!!)
*29.5mm lens hoods, chrome, X2
*Filters, again 29.5mm
*Original manual for camara (on order)
*Any other lenses or paraphernalia
I really enjoy collecting this stuff!
Cheers
ped
ped
Small brown dog
Couple of updates on the way - here is a smallish one for now:
FINALLY! I found the size of the thread. 29.5mm inside and 34mm push fit outside. Here is the f2.8/45 lens with a lens hood. it still amazes me to think what this lens has seen - my mother was five when this was first used by my granddad.
Cheers
ped
FINALLY! I found the size of the thread. 29.5mm inside and 34mm push fit outside. Here is the f2.8/45 lens with a lens hood. it still amazes me to think what this lens has seen - my mother was five when this was first used by my granddad.
Cheers
ped
ped
Small brown dog
Well, here's the flash unit. I need a cable to go from the flash to the body of the camera, and it needs a bulb, too.
Cheers
ped
Cheers
ped
ped
Small brown dog
OK a few more updates:
With flash (bulbs + battery on order, and a very kind Talkphotography member is sending me a shoe for the flash!)
I found this Braun 'Universal' zoom viewfinder on eBay very cheap (when there is a BIN one for over £100.. I paid about £20). As you change the focal length by rotating the front element four blades reduce the viewable area over the viewfinder, like a clip on mask but automatic, sort of. Nice to have in the collection....
And finally, the Proximiter. Not sure I have this on correctly but can't see another way it would fit? Looking through the viewfinder you can see the extra window perfectly in alignment so it MUST be right - I'll try it out with my current roll of film and spend some time working it out! In this pic you can also see the zoom finder and a metal hood and yellow Kodak push filter on my 80mm lens.
..And here's a view showing the proximiter
So now I DEFINITELY need a new case, and I still have some filters and lenses on the way... watch this space!!
Cheers
ped
With flash (bulbs + battery on order, and a very kind Talkphotography member is sending me a shoe for the flash!)
I found this Braun 'Universal' zoom viewfinder on eBay very cheap (when there is a BIN one for over £100.. I paid about £20). As you change the focal length by rotating the front element four blades reduce the viewable area over the viewfinder, like a clip on mask but automatic, sort of. Nice to have in the collection....
And finally, the Proximiter. Not sure I have this on correctly but can't see another way it would fit? Looking through the viewfinder you can see the extra window perfectly in alignment so it MUST be right - I'll try it out with my current roll of film and spend some time working it out! In this pic you can also see the zoom finder and a metal hood and yellow Kodak push filter on my 80mm lens.
..And here's a view showing the proximiter
So now I DEFINITELY need a new case, and I still have some filters and lenses on the way... watch this space!!
Cheers
ped
ped
Small brown dog
It really is a pleasure collecting these bits. Not only are some of the things very cheap (if you look carefully!) but they work really nicely and feel as good as the day they were made!
Here is a picture of what is an almost complete collection. You can see the image at Flickr where I have added notes to show what each item is.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/4601294465/
What next??? To be honest I think I'll take a bit of a break, my eBay account has been given a LOT of exercise recently. I'm going to concentrate on shooting these rolls of film I have and will post the results here for you to see.
..and I really need to get the flash going (just need the right cable!!! - thread about that here http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=226694 )
Cheers
ped
Here is a picture of what is an almost complete collection. You can see the image at Flickr where I have added notes to show what each item is.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiscocks/4601294465/
What next??? To be honest I think I'll take a bit of a break, my eBay account has been given a LOT of exercise recently. I'm going to concentrate on shooting these rolls of film I have and will post the results here for you to see.
..and I really need to get the flash going (just need the right cable!!! - thread about that here http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=226694 )
Cheers
ped
ped
Small brown dog
...and here is the light meter - a really neat Metraphot 3. made just down the road from the camera in Nurnberg, Germany. It works really well, seems to confirm my own judgements of light values.
ped
Small brown dog
OK I finally found the front filter size of my 38mm lens, turns out to be 40.5mm. I just put a vented hood on it and a new strap (thread about that elsewhere on TP)
I have DEFINITELY fallen in love with Ilford XP2 film, comparing it to the FP4 I love it's brownish pink overtones, it's so rich looking and has lots of depth.
Cheers
ped
Those who are wondering how I attached the strap - well, I took the bolt from the bottom of an old leather case which screws into the bottom of the camera, and around that threaded the two loops from end pieces of a compact camera strap. They are thin rope shaped rather than flat material shape. You can just about see them in the pic below. To those small end pieces I threaded the leather strap, which fit like a glove - the measurements of the leather strap were supplied on the listing from the auction.
When I wear the camera it hangs upside down, but that works nicely because the viewfinder is out of harms way and the lens doesn't make the camera droop forwards. It balances well and is totally secure. Quite nest, really - and importantly it didn't require me to modify the camera in any way.
Cheers
ped
I have DEFINITELY fallen in love with Ilford XP2 film, comparing it to the FP4 I love it's brownish pink overtones, it's so rich looking and has lots of depth.
Cheers
ped
Those who are wondering how I attached the strap - well, I took the bolt from the bottom of an old leather case which screws into the bottom of the camera, and around that threaded the two loops from end pieces of a compact camera strap. They are thin rope shaped rather than flat material shape. You can just about see them in the pic below. To those small end pieces I threaded the leather strap, which fit like a glove - the measurements of the leather strap were supplied on the listing from the auction.
When I wear the camera it hangs upside down, but that works nicely because the viewfinder is out of harms way and the lens doesn't make the camera droop forwards. It balances well and is totally secure. Quite nest, really - and importantly it didn't require me to modify the camera in any way.
Cheers
ped
ped
Small brown dog
Happy with this shot from the weekend!
Another small update (another to follow in a few days time)
I FINALLY got a silver hood for the 38mm lens, and got the deeper rear cap from the states. The hood will get a decent polish as it's slightly marked through use:
Here are all my lenses in their glory:
And here they all are asleep:
Cheers
ped
Another small update (another to follow in a few days time)
I FINALLY got a silver hood for the 38mm lens, and got the deeper rear cap from the states. The hood will get a decent polish as it's slightly marked through use:
Here are all my lenses in their glory:
And here they all are asleep:
Cheers
ped
Mablo
Well-known
Lovely setup. What can I say more.
ped
Small brown dog
Thanks Mablo. Here's a quick update:
OK here it is - the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 50mm f2.8 lens. It's very nice indeed - much heavier than the other lenses and has a really sweet click when changing aperture. I haven't used it yet as I have just loaded some Fuji Neopan film to try so I want to use that with the Pointikar lens so i can directly compare it to the Kodak and Ilford film, then I'll shoot a roll with the Schneider with whichever film I like most (though I have an extra roll of Fuji here)
Also I have a cable release and a few more filters. I have a selection of push fit and screw in filters. Because my lens hoods are varied (some push fit, some screw, some internally threaded, some not) I can't standardise the filters to one type, but to be honest I don't often use them anyway.
The index ring of the Schneider was a little worn, revealing brassing in several places, but I have repainted it carefully with a couple of coats and it's as good as new
Cheers
ped
P.s when buying the lens I also got as part of the kit another Super Paxette body and 135mm lens which I am selling on eBay
OK here it is - the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 50mm f2.8 lens. It's very nice indeed - much heavier than the other lenses and has a really sweet click when changing aperture. I haven't used it yet as I have just loaded some Fuji Neopan film to try so I want to use that with the Pointikar lens so i can directly compare it to the Kodak and Ilford film, then I'll shoot a roll with the Schneider with whichever film I like most (though I have an extra roll of Fuji here)
Also I have a cable release and a few more filters. I have a selection of push fit and screw in filters. Because my lens hoods are varied (some push fit, some screw, some internally threaded, some not) I can't standardise the filters to one type, but to be honest I don't often use them anyway.
The index ring of the Schneider was a little worn, revealing brassing in several places, but I have repainted it carefully with a couple of coats and it's as good as new
Cheers
ped
P.s when buying the lens I also got as part of the kit another Super Paxette body and 135mm lens which I am selling on eBay
ped
Small brown dog
julio1fer
Well-known
Nice record of a good fellow going down the slippery slope....
ped
Small brown dog
Haha indeed you may be right, but thankfully due to some shrewd purchasing this kit owes me very little!
My R-D1 wasn't so cheap though!!
My R-D1 wasn't so cheap though!!
skymay1314
Established
Very very really really GOOD/////////////////
Kent
Finally at home...
Great looking gear!
colyn
ישו משיח
Nice outfit. I still take my Braun Super II out with me from time to time.
If you ever have to disassemble the advance lever for cleaning it will have you cussing like a sailor before you're done...
If you ever have to disassemble the advance lever for cleaning it will have you cussing like a sailor before you're done...
ped
Small brown dog
Nice outfit. I still take my Braun Super II out with me from time to time.
If you ever have to disassemble the advance lever for cleaning it will have you cussing like a sailor before you're done...
I haven't actually - and don't think I ever will!! I have just sent away a spare body to a fellow Paxette user who wanted a spring of some sort from the advance lever.
ped
peterm1
Veteran
The Braun Super Paxette is one of the prettiest little cameras you could ever wish for. A number of years ago I hesitated to buy one with 3 lenses and ended up having to kick myself as it went to someone else. Later I bought one of the fine little turret finders made for them so at least have the pleasure of owning and using that. Yours is in much nicer condition than the one I contemplated buying. This model (the one with the "hump") is apparently more robust and reliable than the earleir model.