Singapore Chapter of RFF

[nickchew]

Shhh... Peter if you don't explain what D24 is there will be people who think we are talking about 24 D (which is kind of an odd size if you think about it)!

But yes... I think the first thing I'd do when I get home is to go on a durian binge!

Nick

 

[Terence T]

Ah, a fellow durian connoisseur 🙂

We will get along very well Nick. You're right about the East, it's the center of the food universe.

 

[breakaway]

Hey, I'm a Singaporean too! Peter, you a nurse? Just graduated?

 

[Peter]

Shhh... Peter if you don't explain what D24 is there will be people who think we are talking about 24 D (which is kind of an odd size if you think about it)!

But yes... I think the first thing I'd do when I get home is to go on a durian binge!

Nick

HAHAHAHAHA! That is a good one! 24D should look like a very thick pancake! 😀 All of us should go for a durian buffet! 🙂

 

[Peter]

Hey, I'm a Singaporean too! Peter, you a nurse? Just graduated?

Hello there! I knew there are more Singaporeans on this forum. So what RF do you use? I graduated long time ago from a galaxy far far away! So what do you do for a living? 🙂

 

[breakaway]

I asked 'cause I'm now in NYP in OT course. I'm using a Yashica GSN and am interested in Russian RFs. That's why I would like to get the voigtlander light meter. Any recommendations on where to get one in Singapore?

 

[nickchew]

Hey how come every one so rude, ne'er introduce themselves properly.

I'll start.
I'm Nicholas Chew, I'm a psychiatrist working in Singapore but temporarily in Montreal until Jan 2006. I started using Contax G2 RF cos it is so much more convenient than to lug SLR around when travelling. But then this winter in Montreal, (I never thought it would happen) the G2 froze in -30C temps! I was then interested to get a fully mechanical camera to last me this winter and the next.... Wanted a leica but decided that the pain in my wallet would not go away easily.

Hence I now have a Bessa R, Ultron 35mm and CS 50mm. I've fallen in love again (I forgot how much I loved my FM2!) with the fully manual feel of the camera. Now that it is 12deg C and my G2 does not freeze anymore, I'm still using my Bessa R!!!

AND I LOVE DURIANS!!!....and beef hor fun, and prawn noodles and laksa and mee siam and or luak and.....I just love food.

Nick

 

[nickchew]

Breakaway

the price you pay for a VCII meter is going to be rather high, (but it is very sexy!)
U can get a good used handheld meter for that price.
Which russian RF u using?

Nick

 

[breakaway]

It's a cheap zorki 4k. I'm very fascinated by the russian rf and yes, the light meter is going to cost me a few zorkis ( 5 at least) but well, i 'm entranced by them. An alternative compact light meter would be the Gossen Digisix which isn't going to cost much less and it displays reading in EV. A troublesome to convert to f/stops and shutter speeds. Any other suggestions for compact light meters?

For self intro, I'm currently a student studying Occupational Therapy. 22 this year and have been photographing since I was 14. Decided to try out RF recently cos I'll be going abroad travelling and have no wish to spend a fortune to get CFs and batteries for my D70 to last me through the trip.

 

[Peter]

Hi Breakaway,

There is one place I know in Singapore that has the VC II lightmeter but I recommend my primary supplier Dr Joseph Yao. His e-mail is joseph@yao.com I think the VC II including shipping charges should be about $300 SGD. I used my VC meter as a handheld meter when I do street photography but realised that it is not necessary so I sold it to Gene of this forum. I think that attaching a small meter to your Zorki will be much more convenient than a handheld meter. Good choice for bringing your RF for travel as it is so much more compact than an SLR. Good luck to your trip and do post your photos! 🙂 The only local shop that has it is Anthony's Collection at Peninsula Plaza, but his price is rather steep.

As for myself, I am Peter Chou and I am a Nurse Clinician specialising in Gerontology Nursing. I was a SLR user till I discovered RF in 2002 and I have since sold all my SLR and concentrate on RF photography. Like Nick, I am a food lover and the local boys should really go for a small food and RF gathering in the near future.

 

[Peter]

I almost forgot. Fotografix Marketing at second floor of Lucky Chinatown has Voigtlander products and they might have VC II meter. You could also give it a try.

 

[Terence T]

Nick, how right... here's my intro.

Name's Terence Tay, Airbus driver with a certain airline in Singapore. I'm really really new to RF cams. Been a digital SLR shooter for the last 2 years when I became really hooked to photography, though I've been shooting on and off since I was a kid.

The manual nature of RF cams is really new to me and I'm taking a while to get used to it. Just picked up a used R2 and 35 ultron so I'm toying around with that setup while I await some other gear from Dr. Yao in Hong Kong. It's been great so far and I'm enjoying the whole experience. The best part so far is finding out about RFF and the nice folks who call this place home.

 

[nickchew]

Terence

aren't airbuses piloted rather than driven?
How's Dr Yao to deal with?

Nick

 

[Terence T]

Hey Nick, Joseph Yao comes across as a very enthusiastic user/collector rather than a dealer. The entire buying process was an enjoyable exchange of email where he provided practical buying advice mixed in casual conversation. His prices are reasonable and he is able to lay his hands on almost any type of photographic equipment. I was told he was first and foremost a Leica dealer but I found that he had all manner of RF gear.

I'd recommend him wholeheartedly. You can reach him at joseph@yao.com

Feel free to email me if you need more details.

Cheers,
Terence

 

[sljm]

Whao lots of singaporeans.. me too..

Intro:
Stephen Lee a Naval Officer just got on to the RF bug currently having a Bessa R and L with 21,50 and 75mm lens..

Yeap Joseph Yao was a joy to deal with and he ships using EMS so that means u get ur stuff within 2 days to 3 days

 

[Peter]

Hello Stephen! Welcome to the club and we have met at CS. So have you decided what to get for your 35mm lens?

 

[glchua]

Sorry, forgot to introduce myself too.

I am a chemist (synthesis chemist) by training and profession.

Was a Nikon SLR user, went from a cheap manual Nikon FE10 and then to a F90X with AF lenses. Went totally back to manual again 5 years ago with a FM3A and AIS lenses. Just love winding film and cocking the shutter.

Fondled...ahem...tried out a Leica MP last year and my wallet and bank account was empty ever since. Sold almost all Nikon gear except a beat up FM3A and a nice 28/2.8 AIS.

Shoots mainly HP5+ processed at room temp myself scanned with a 5 year old Coolscan 4000. Subjects are mostly street and family.

Now waiting for enough funds to get a CV 21/4.

 

[nickchew]

glchua

welcome, what developer u use for the HP5+?
I usually process my own Neopan and Tri-x in Rodinal ans scan the negs too.
However, I don't like the way they look when scanned. (Maybe it's cos I got a cheap scanner.)
Traditional printing still seems to get the most from the negs.

Nick

 

[sljm]

Hello Stephen! Welcome to the club and we have met at CS. So have
you decided what to get for your 35mm lens?

Hi Peter yeap someone offered me a 35mm 1.7Ultron but unfortunately i am due to fly off, so i am sort of reserving it till i come back from Taiwan

 

[Peter]

glchua

welcome, what developer u use for the HP5+?
I usually process my own Neopan and Tri-x in Rodinal ans scan the negs too.
However, I don't like the way they look when scanned. (Maybe it's cos I got a cheap scanner.)
Traditional printing still seems to get the most from the negs.

Nick

I noticed too when I scan traditional B&W negatives. It is much more grainier than it should be. That is why I use C41 B&W for its cheap development and good scanned result.