Seper Memar test

[kiev4a]

Recently I hauled out my Ansco Super Memar RF purchased about 1960. I have negatives from the Ansco dating back to when I was purchased. Most always looked a littlwe soft but I figured it was the quality of the film in that period (mostly Tr-X). Last week I shot some new photos with the camera using modern Tri-X expecting better quaity photos. To my surprise the photos with the modern fim looked justa bout like the old negatives. Attached is probably the sharpest photo in the old negs, taken of me about 1961. I assume the f2 lens was probably wide open. The other photo was shot last week with an f11 aperture at 1/500th sec. I think most of my old FSU equipment can do better or at least as good.

 

[bmattock]

Gotta wonder if the lens has some gunk on it, or if you're experiencing some lens flare. I don't have a Super Memar, but I have a couple of Agfa Karat IV's with the same f2 50mm Solagon lens - and it is a nice one! Your second neg doesn't look 'soft' to me, it looks a tad flat. Just wondering - because I'd love to have a nice Super Memar. Sweet little camera!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[kiev4a]

I'm goning to check the lens closer. A while back I "unstuck" the shutter with some Ronsonal. A little got on the lens and I thought I got it all out -- looks clear looking through it--but maybe there is still a film on the glass inside.

I think the Super Memar with the f2 lens is fairly rare -- a lot of 3.5s around. I think my mother paid about $125 for the camera -- a sizable sum at the time. It has a very bright viewfinder for a camera that old. The only other problem I have is shooting at slow shutter speeds. The camera is so small and so light it's relatively easy to get movement if you aren't really careful.