New user seeks C&C, advice...

[P3tr]

Hi Rangefinders.
Finally i managed to get a working RF (Fed2b with Black J-8). It's not my first , but first one, that is working reliably enough to work with. But the viewfinder is realy dim, and i wear glasses. So the next step will be probably Bessa R2a, darkroom, chemicals, enlarger (oh, my)... i think i'm in love 😀

I would like to ask you for C&C for these three images. XP2 Super, rule sunny/16, scanned @ minilab, PS. Thanks alot

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

I like #1 for its crystal clear in-focus (shows nicely on those glasses) area and soft "bokeh" as they say. And that person is captivating, to say the least. I think this photo showcases the strengths of the Jupiter-8 lens. The "good-bang-for-a-buck" ratio is very good, IMHO.

#2, the guy on the left, he looks like the actor who played Donald Malarkey in "Band of Brothers" mini-series.

#3 is brushed aside by the two previous photos, I think.

About that VF issue. I really got into using my Zorki 1 after I switched from glasses to contacts. It's a bit hard to frame effectively while wearing eyeglasses... Wouldn't know how to make that VF brighter, though.

 

[P3tr]

Thanks POSTI-Tuomo, But i cant wear contacts. Are there any afordable RF for glasswearers?

 

[kully]

The Bessa viewfinders are great P3tr. I wear glasses and have the R2m and R2a, however if I'd tried the R3{a,m} before buying them I would have gotten one of those for 50mm.

 

[rbiemer]

P3tr,
I wear glasses and as far as FSU cameras go, none of them are great but some of them are OK.
Specifically, as much as I liked the rest of the FED 2, the VF was a deal breaker for me. So I am now using a Zorki 3m (lovely, big, 1:1 VF) and a FED 3 and a FED 5. You might want to consider the Kiev cameras. The VFs of those I've used worked much better for me than the FED2.
And there is also the Bessa R--best VF of any of the cameras I've mentioned and it has frame lines!
Welcome aboard!
Rob

 

[payasam]

All three pictures on the same roll? The first has few greys, unlike the other two.

 

[P3tr]

I PS all of them, but the first and last are from same roll. Only problem with it is c-41 minilab and my own failures with sunny/16 rule. As I wrote, I need to start develop film. From what i saw here, Ill try Diafine (rare in Czech rep., but not imposible to find) and Tri-x first, because i shoot mostly during night, or indoor.

 

[Xmas]

The best FSU finder is a fed 1 or Zorki 1, the Fed5c has a floating frame like a real camera but the rangefinder is not marvelous.
Some have diopter adjustements that allow you to remove specs if you dont fallover without e.g. Zorki5s.
Trolling. the photos are good enough you wanna start saving for a M2, >>>$.
end Trolling

Noel

 

[P3tr]

Well Noel , you are right. I had oportunity to try Leica M ( I think M6 or M6TTL), and the feel, the smoothness of focusing , the shutters whisper ... damn.
But first I need to finish my school and schoolfee :-(

 

[Spyderman]

Welcome aboard Petr 🙂 Vitaj 😀

I like the first picture the most...

and regarding a camera... Zorki 3 - 6 have diopter adjustment, as well as FED 3 - 5 (if your sight is just a little "off" 🙂 ) If you need your glasses, and want to see the entire viewfinder you might want to try Sokol. It doesn't have interchangable lens, but the viewfinder is first class and the shutter is whisper quiet (leaf shutter in lens).

 

[P3tr]

Ďakujem Spyderman 🙂

Ill try to get Sokol. I have non (propertly) working Fed 5, Zorki 4k and the diopter adjustment isnt enough - I've more than 3 diopters off. Same with my Fed2, so I often end with quite number of misfocused photos.
Perhaps my destiny is Leica and viewfinder correction lenses :-D

 

[mike goldberg]

Hi there p3tr in the great city of Prague.
Seems to me that Bessa R and Leica M are the way to go.
Good luck! mike

 

[P3tr]

Thanks Mike.
Bessa is the way, but first i have to learn how to develop film, and improve my skill as meter (sunny/16)