Retro Man

[Calzone]

I'm an old film guy, who does not scan.

Recently got a Pentax 67II with the AE prism that offers TTL flash metering, with 6 segment matrix metering, center weighted metering and spot metering at a flick of a switch. For me this is about as advanced a camera that I ever need or want, yet none of my other cameras offer this much technology of features.

Anyways for me less is more, and because I'm a retro man who is also a slacker I avoid complexity when ever I can. Also I always say this: I never knew anyone who had a complicated life that was happy, and somehow this philosophy has spilled over into my photography.

Please share your thoughts.

Cal

 

[Keith]

"I used to have one. Felt like I was in a Roger Rabbit cartoon when I carried it, but it is a beautifully built camera."


The 67ii is a bit like that I agree! 😛

And also a beautifully made camera ... that amazingly makes my porky D700 feel rather svelte. 😀

 

[John Lawrence]

I also once owned a 67II.

A great camera, and the 105 2.4 is an absolutely stunning lens.

John

 

[daninjc]

I'm like you cal, with less cameras... but I don't define myself retro man - just slacker

 

[Speedfreak]

Also I always say this: I never knew anyone who had a complicated life that was happy, and somehow this philosophy has spilled over into my photography.

Please share your thoughts.

Cal

True. That´s why I finally went digital. My shot is there in a second and I am in total control from the moment of exposure until the final print. So simple.

 

[Calzone]

I am marveled by the metering of this camera and it seems like it was especially built for me. I discovered that the added wooden grip ergonomically works as a hand hold to stabilize the camera when shooting vertically.

Also had to return my first Hot Shoe Grip because its kinda useless without the short 5 pin cable. I was able to get another Hot Shoe Grip with the necessary cable and separately secure a AF500FTZ dedicated flash for $100.00.

TTL flash capabilities for me is mucho advanced. I cant wait for fashion week this year.

Even more advanced for me is that I've somehow evolved into wanting to shoot color. Tonight I'll pick up some color slides that I shot at the Mermaid Parade. Shot 4 rolls E100VS and one roll of Velvia 50 in 220 using a polorizer to kill 1 1/2 stops like a ND filter so I could shoot the 105/2.4 wide open using AE mode. I guess I'll find out how good this metering is. Someone told me that Velvia 50 is magic with a perfect exposure, but its likely the most unforgiving slide film.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I'm like you cal, with less cameras... but I don't define myself retro man - just slacker

Slacker Dan,

When are you coming back to New York for a visit? Please keep us in the loop is you venture south.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

True. That´s why I finally went digital. My shot is there in a second and I am in total control from the moment of exposure until the final print. So simple.

Makes sense to me. Great tag/name for your style. You also don't have the problem of having to carry 25-30 rolls of film like I do. This Pentax seems to always eat lots of film, and I always worry about not having enough film.

Cal

 

[charjohncarter]

I like mine, with a 105, 55, and a 200. I don't use the 200 much but the other two all the time. It is big though. But sweet; I checked and a Canon monster digital isn't really too much smaller, but lighter, slightly.

 

[charjohncarter]

Makes sense to me. Great tag/name for your style. You also don't have the problem of having to carry 25-30 rolls of film like I do. This Pentax seems to always eat lots of film, and I always worry about not having enough film.

Cal

But when you see those beautiful negatives, it is heaven. My E-6 and C-41s are really something. You would have to be an expert in Photoshop color to even come close; which I am not and don't want to be.

On the other side, digital is here to stay and with improvements mostly now on the processing side; it will get there (or almost there).

 

[t.s.k.]

We're all slackers to some extent, aren't we? -- too lazy to keep up with technology or too lazy mix chemistry. ("Lazy" might be too strong a word...perhaps "uninspired" would be better?) For instance, old-school photography can be seen as equally complex to the many in the younger set.

btw, I'd hardly complain about 6x7 eating film when you shoot 6x9 as well. 😛

 

[Calzone]

I like mine, with a 105, 55, and a 200. I don't use the 200 much but the other two all the time. It is big though. But sweet; I checked and a Canon monster digital isn't really too much smaller, but lighter, slightly.

John,

I'm thinking about getting a 200/4.0, the 67 version with the 77mm filter threads, especially for the close focus. Is this your version?

Also like to share that I found that grabbing the nose of the lens and gripping the lens with my entire hand really helps stabilize the camera. When shooting verticals I found it best to support the Pentax with my left hand, where with my Nikons, Leicas and Fuji's I do just the opposite. That's where the wooden handle comes in handy.

Anyways, my friend JSrocket (John) makes fun of me because he not only shoots exclusively digital, but he considers all my cameras "Monsters" especially since I tend to add a lot of weight by pimping them out. Not many people in NYC shoot NIkon F3's rigged with motordrives. LOL. As a result I named my Pentax "Son Of Godzilla," and I refer to the earlier Pentax 6x7's as being "Godzilla versions."

Now the old Fuji rangefinders with interchangable lenses seem light and small. LOL.

Somehow I recently scored a 75/2.8 AL. The hood is a a Tulip style and is bayonet mount. Looks bad-ass.

Anyways somehow I kinda stumbled into a great camera for me.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

We're all slackers to some extent, aren't we? -- too lazy to keep up with technology or too lazy mix chemistry. ("Lazy" might be too strong a word...perhaps "uninspired" would be better?) For instance, old-school photography can be seen as equally complex to the many in the younger set.

btw, I'd hardly complain about 6x7 eating film when you shoot 6x9 as well. 😛

Tony,

How true, but now I'm finding that I also want to shoot color and that can get mighty expensive.

I perform crazy B&W development marathons where I process 30-40-50 rolls a month. I found a way for Diafine to work for me that's economical but also practical because the developer gets reused. Not only that it does not need to be replenished, and it gets better mid tones as it gets seasoned. The results resemble large format. For me Diafine= Slacker's brew.

Cal

 

[timor]

I'm an old film guy, who does not scan.
Anyways for me less is more, and because I'm a retro man who is also a slacker I avoid complexity when ever I can. Also I always say this: I never knew anyone who had a complicated life that was happy, and somehow this philosophy has spilled over into my photography.

Please share your thoughts.

Cal

Sorry Cal, but you gonna have :angel: to find another explanation for shooting film. Simplicity is in digi...at least for the user. First camera, small enough you can put six in your pocket and still look handsome. Meters on those contain the whole smartness collected during the last 60 years of usage of TTL meters. Then you can print directly from camera. How simpler could it be ? No need for a darkroom, chemicals (brrrr..) and worries about it.
Off course I don't know, if such a system will satisfy your passion. One thing I learned about passions - they are never simple.

 

[jsrockit]

Cal, prediction; you will start using digital within the year. 😉

 

[Calzone]

Sorry Cal, but you gonna have :angel: to find another explanation for shooting film. Simplicity is in digi...at least for the user. First camera, small enough you can put six in your pocket and still look handsome. Meters on those contain the whole smartness collected during the last 60 years of usage of TTL meters. Then you can print directly from camera. How simpler could it be ? No need for a darkroom, chemicals (brrrr..) and worries about it.
Off course I don't know, if such a system will satisfy your passion. One thing I learned about passions - they are never simple.

See John's post right below yours. He kinda knows me well.

Anyways there's analog crazy and digital crazy.

Cal

 

[Particular]

Cal, prediction; you will start using digital within the year. 😉

He'll need to get a suitable computer first.
I think he will start developing 30 roll batches of C-41 first. That is the pickle I have maneuvered myself into. Perhaps if he spends an afternoon scanning, he'll come to his senses and start saving for that M9M.

 

[charjohncarter]

John,

I'm thinking about getting a 200/4.0, the 67 version with the 77mm filter threads, especially for the close focus. Is this your version?

Also like to share that I found that grabbing the nose of the lens and gripping the lens with my entire hand really helps stabilize the camera. When shooting verticals I found it best to support the Pentax with my left hand, where with my Nikons, Leicas and Fuji's I do just the opposite. That's where the wooden handle comes in handy.

Anyways, my friend JSrocket (John) makes fun of me because he not only shoots exclusively digital, but he considers all my cameras "Monsters" especially since I tend to add a lot of weight by pimping them out. Not many people in NYC shoot NIkon F3's rigged with motordrives. LOL. As a result I named my Pentax "Son Of Godzilla," and I refer to the earlier Pentax 6x7's as being "Godzilla versions."

Now the old Fuji rangefinders with interchangeable lenses seem light and small. LOL.

Somehow I recently scored a 75/2.8 AL. The hood is a a Tulip style and is bayonet mount. Looks bad-ass.

Anyways somehow I kinda stumbled into a great camera for me.

Cal

Yes, and it works beautifully. I don't do very many portraits so that is why I don't use it much. I have the extension tubes, so I'm set for close-ups, but I use mostly my 105.

You are certainly under social pressure to go digital, so do it. I like a few great images, (so I'm still analog, mostly) rather than many mediocre. I'm not really under any kind of pressure (in photography or life) so I do what I want.

 

[timor]

See John's post right below yours. He kinda knows me well.

Anyways there's analog crazy and digital crazy.

Cal

Yes, John is a good photographer knowledgeable in many technologies of making the picture. And that, what he is oriented at, with ours full respect, but it is not necessarily the case of every body.
Craziness ? I suppose we always a bit crazy for whatever makes us happy.

 

[jsrockit]

You are certainly under social pressure to go digital, so do it. I like a few great images, (so I'm still analog, mostly) rather than many mediocre. I'm not really under any kind of pressure (in photography or life) so I do what I want.

No real social pressure from any of his close photo buddies... most of them use film. I suprised they still let me hang out with my digital cameras.