Time spent with a 517/16 Nettar...

[POSTI-Tuomo]

It didn't go to waste. I find this camera easy to operate and fun to shoot with. The limited range of shutter speeds in fact do not prevent from taking photos. Quite the contrary, I find myself often just setting the aperture to wide open and shutter speed to 1/25 in low-light situations and getting acceptable results. My success rate has gone up. Less micromanagement means more concentration on composing and framing... On my part, of course.

I put together a web gallery for you to view and comment. Here.

 

[shadowfox]

Hey, nice shots!

I like the photo of the girl with the guy holding a Lubitel (?)
You have quite a few friends with old cameras, is it somekind of a trend in Finland nowadays?

These MF folders are the epitome of simplicity, aren't they?

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

The guy and his girlfriend, they are a recurring motif in my pictures, it seems 🙂.

GAS is contagious; he first bought that Zorki-S and the Lubitel-2 is his more recent purchase. I am to be blamed for that...

I'd like to try 6x9, too! Do you know a good, cost-effective, entry-level choice? Or, it may be a bit more costly, I don't mind... 😛

PS. Retro is in. A photographer can combine both style and function!

 

[KoNickon]

Very nice pictures! And the camera seems to do quite well wide open, I must say.

It looks like summer is a wonderful time to be in Helsinki. So what is the parade you photographed -- men in uniforms?

 

[KoNickon]

Tuomo, I just saw your note. Find a decent condition Moskva-5 and you will be very happy. Excellent lens and pretty well made; just be sure the lens is not wobbly and parallel to the film plane (important with any folding camera, of course).

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Hi, Nick! The parade was something I just happened to stumble upon; I was cycling through the city and behold, there the band was playing happy marches in front of the Main Guard Post. The band consists of conscripts of the Finnish Defense Forces, so there's a new band every year. They do public appearances throughout the year in different venues; veterans' happenings, parades, in front of the aforementioned Main Guard Post (next to the Presidential Palace) and so on.

Thanks for the interest!

I've been on the lookout for a decent Moskva-5, they seem to be delicate machines and many have experienced the ravages of time...

 

[shadowfox]

I'd like to try 6x9, too! Do you know a good, cost-effective, entry-level choice? Or, it may be a bit more costly, I don't mind... 😛

PS. Retro is in. A photographer can combine both style and function!

What KoNickon said, either a Moskva-5 or Agfa Record, the more expensive is the Zeiss Ikonta with Tessar lens.

I'm looking for a 6x9 also, but I'm not in a hurry, besides, I don't have the scanner that can handle MF negatives and the lab that I have access to can only print up to 6x7 🙂

What kind of scanner do you use?

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

I've got an Epson V700.

I think I fancy an Agfa Record III.

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

... the camera seems to do quite well wide open, I must say.

The bokeh wide open is a peculiar swirling type, it's very visible in photos #4 and #6. Yet the area of focus is sharp. At smaller apertures the lens gives a creamy overall look. At smallest apertures, f16 and f22, the image will be razor sharp. The lens has character and versatility.

 

[spiderfrank]

very nice shots !!

 

[JimG]

• Nice photos. I have an older Nettar 515/2 that I'm fond of except that the lens must be uncoated as I have to be very careful of flare. I wonder if there are lens shades for these lenses?

 

[rpsawin]

Excellent shots. This website is an excellent resource http://www.certo6.com/ and contains links to other sites as well. Most of the old mf folders can be purchased for very reasonable prices. Of course another excellent, cost effective way to get into mf is to consider older models of Bronica, Mamiya and Pentax. These three represent a very good value and can be found at reasonable prices.

Good luck and Best regards.

Bob

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Thanks again for the compliments! *bows*

Bob, that's a good resource there, looks like I have to do some research on the subject...

JimG, I'd imagine it'd be fairly easy to fashion a slip-on shade using some carton and tape to reinforce it & hold it together. Or even some modeling plastic! I haven't actually tried to construct anything like that, but maybe I'll get around to it.