Australia/New Zealand RFF camera round Australia and NZ

[stillshunter]

Alright, the baton has been passed on without incident - great work Kutay. A shame I got this leg really as I'm a little bit of a humbug so you won't get much in the way of Yuletide images from me 🙄

I'll stick with TMY. Actually unless there are any objections I plan to shoot my recently serviced (by me 😱) Himatic 7sII side by side with the Fed-2. I'll only use the 7sII in manual mode, so match exposures exactly between cameras and I'll post a little comparison - of both image quality and user impressions. Must say though the Fed-2 has already had quite an impact.

I've touched base with Michael and so the next leg is getting sorted. I have agree with him wholeheartedly on this point though...

Excellent photos taken all round.
Its getting closer and there's a mix of excitement and nervousness (due to the quality of the posted images)

 

[batey_1020]

Nice to see the camera on the move again.
Sorry for my lack of photos yet. I normally do my own processing but just did a backlog of 6 months and missed this film. I think ill send it to a lab to catch up.

 

[stillshunter]

Alright! First roll of TMY came out of the Fed-2 yesterday, developed in Perceptol, and hung to dry last night and the little Epson is eagerly scanning the negatives as I type this morning. I will post my impression shortly - as alluded to earlier I will cast my impressions in light of the Minolta Himatic 7sII which I just recently serviced. I will either link to a new RFF thread specific to this comparison or link to a blog entry….I've not quite decided which yet 😕. It was certainly interesting, both were shot together with the exact same film, exposure settings, development (they shared a bath 😉) and scanning. Must say there are some very appreciable differences both ways beyond the obvious difference in focal lengths - 40mm vs. 55mm.

 

[Scrambler]

I like the photos stillshunter, but particularly the dog portrait. Did you use filters for the outdoors photos?

I'm interested to hear your comparison thoughts.

 

[stillshunter]

I like the photos stillshunter, but particularly the dog portrait. Did you use filters for the outdoors photos?

I'm interested to hear your comparison thoughts.

Outdoors I used my favourite filter for Aussie conditions - the YG (Yellow-Green) or P00 (panchromatic) filter. I know K2 is the stock standard but I find the YG works better with our light (or so it seems to me).

Comparison will be up shortly….😱

 

[stillshunter]

Alright guys (gender-unspecifc, gals are implied) my impressions of the Fed-2 - as compared to the Minolta Himatic 7sII - is finally done. Apologies for the delay but I am only just learning how to blog 😱

Got to say I am torn. The Fed-2 has some fundamental failings that dampen the user experience but that Industar-61L/D is a beaut.

Hmmm…where next for my rangefinder line-up? 😕

 

[stillshunter]

The baton has been passed and the Fed's back on the move. Left for Victoria from Southern NSW yesterday. Should be with Michael on Monday.

Really enjoyed being a part of this. Thanks so much. Looking very forward to seeing what our southern brethren have in store for the little Russian.

 

[Keith]

While that fed was a bit of a challenge because of the finder ... it is a camera with a lot of charm! 🙂

 

[michaelwj]

Ohh, excited now!
I've decided some expired FP4 bulk loaded which I have been shooting a bit of lately will be going in the fed.

 

[michaelwj]

So the Fed arrived in my hands yesterday, thanks Mark!

I must say it'd been interesting after about half a roll (but in reality I've no idea how far into the roll I am?!). Getting used to limited full stops and no meter (first meter less camera for me) has taken a bit of effort, but is strangely enjoyable. Of course, I could just start cursing once I develop the roll and see what genius (read: junk) lies within…

Michael

 

[stillshunter]

My pleasure Michael - glad she arrived safe and sound. I took the liberty of popping a copy of the manual in the box, hope it helps. I read it twice before feeling confident enough to venture out. Looking forward to seeing your results.

Be honest I miss this little shooter. Something has remained with me since my time with the Fed-2. Don't ask me what it was, but a strange familiar feeling. I'm exploring this a little further from today as I've just picked up a Leica IIIc that I am trialling. Holding it brings back that feeling again plus a little something more than resonates with me. I'll share more once I discover more.

Mark

 

[xavoy]

Is it too late to put my hand up? New to RFf, but keen to be involved!

 

[stillshunter]

Is it too late to put my hand up? New to RFf, but keen to be involved!

The more the merrier I say, but I believe it's already done its Sydney leg - just before me (Canberra) and my passing it onto Melbourne. But I have no say in this, except to say "Thanks" 😀, and will leave it to Adrian (batey_1020) and co. to make the call.

Either way, welcome to the 'Australia and NZ Regional Club' area…from another newbie to this corner of RFF.

 

[Scrambler]

It's a movable feast - though I think additions are going on the end now. Who pays to get it back from NZ isn't yet clear but I'm sure something can be worked out.

 

[michaelwj]

So the Fed's made the next move to John via a few cups of coffee this morning. He has quite a collection of rangefinders, and I'm sure this will spur him on to making some great images.

I'll post some thoughts and images soon, one more roll to develop which I might get around to tomorrow…

Michael

 

[stillshunter]

So the Fed's made the next move to John via a few cups of coffee this morning. He has quite a collection of rangefinders, and I'm sure this will spur him on to making some great images.

I'll post some thoughts and images soon, one more roll to develop which I might get around to tomorrow…

Michael

Looking forward to seeing your images and hearing your impressions mate.

Meanwhile, you Melbournians….nooooo one coffee just won't suffice 😉
Hey I admit I'm jealous - best coffee I've had to date was from Melbourne - little place tucked out the back of Little Collins Street. I'm sure the stuff here in Canberra is dredged from the bottom of Lake Burley Griffin….

But I digress. So John have you shot with a Fed in the past and what are you thinking of feeding it during its time with you?

 

[michaelwj]

So, some thoughts on the Fed now its left me.

Likes:
-I liked the simplicity, only a handful of shutter speeds and apertures to choose from, it really gets you back to basics. On the simplicity note - the self timer is the best. I'd never used that style of timer before, but why is it so complicated on modern cameras? (also, my M6 doesn't have one).
-The finder. Its small and dingy, but it reduces the image to the basics. I found that looking through the finder was a bit like squinting. The basic form and contrast of the image remains, so if the image is not strong, it really looks rubbish.
-The lens. Mainly the focal length, but also the scalloped focus ring was easy and comfortable.

Dislikes:
-Shutter speed dial, its hard to use, but I guess you don't change it while the camera is at your eye.
-The finder. Its small and dingy, and it made focusing hard. I also kept knocking the adjustment lever around the rewind knob which kept throwing the whole thing out of whack.

Overall, I liked it. It was simple, well thought out, felt good in the hand, and for me, it separated out good images from bad in the finder. It was the first unmetered camera I've used, and I really liked it, no missed exposures (more good luck I think). I might take the batteries out of the M6 every now and then.
Going back the M6, I was a lot faster at nailing the focus, the patch is soooo bright and contrasty in comparison! I felt a lot more confident and comfortable, I suppose I just trusted myself a bit more.
Now to my main problem - the lens. I've been with only a 35 for the past year, and the experience made me remember why I enjoyed a 50 so much. I suppose I better start saving…ahh.

A big thanks to Adrian and Steve for making it happen. And I'll get some images up through the week.

Michael

 

[jmilkins]

Michael - great to meet you over the 4 coffees and table full of RFs. I'm pretty sure the baristas had a "geek alert" out on our table ;-)

I was quite impacted by your pure and focused approach to gear and photography. That came through in the images you showed me and your obvious depth of knowledge of the M6 and its ergonomics. Your M6 has the best patina I've ever seen - 20,000 rolls what a great camera! Looking forward to what you bring out of the Fed, and a future shooting trip.

Mark - your images around your property with the Fed are wonderful - what you lack in coffee you make up in landscape - we really are in a beautiful country.

I haven't used a Fed before though I do have an Industar and a J9. It is good to handle their matched body. I think I'll run some Portra 400 through or Kentmere 400.

 

[michaelwj]

Ahhh, Loaded some film into the reels just now, only to find the recent heatwave has had a detrimental effect on my thermometer…
It'll have to wait till next weekend now.

Michael

 

[stillshunter]

Michael - great to meet you over the 4 coffees and table full of RFs. I'm pretty sure the baristas had a "geek alert" out on our table ;-)

I so wish I lived nearer Melbourne. You two fellas sound like you had a ball!

I haven't used a Fed before though I do have an Industar and a J9. It is good to handle their matched body. I think I'll run some Portra 400 through or Kentmere 400.

Can't wait to see what you do with either of these two film choices…

Mark - your images around your property with the Fed are wonderful - what you lack in coffee you make up in landscape - we really are in a beautiful country.

😱 you are too kind John. I am humbled that you enjoyed my images. Oh I make up for the coffee whenever I land in civilisation….

I was quite impacted by your pure and focused approach to gear and photography. That came through in the images you showed me and your obvious depth of knowledge of the M6 and its ergonomics. Your M6 has the best patina I've ever seen - 20,000 rolls what a great camera! Looking forward to what you bring out of the Fed, and a future shooting trip.

@ Michael: love to hear and see more! How many of the 20,000 did you put through the M6…also any chance of seeing a photo of your constant companion?