camdumb
Newbie
Hello all, I just found this forum and hope I can get some help.
I found an Aires 35-III L camera (in the attic)
It's heavy!
I haven't the first clue how to work this dinosaur. I barely work my point and shoot digital camera.
If it's not to much of a bother, can you tell me how do I turn it on, and if it's worth even trying it?.
Thanks in advance!
I found an Aires 35-III L camera (in the attic)
It's heavy!
I haven't the first clue how to work this dinosaur. I barely work my point and shoot digital camera.
If it's not to much of a bother, can you tell me how do I turn it on, and if it's worth even trying it?.
Thanks in advance!
W
wlewisiii
Guest
Best thing to do is to read this page: http://www.growlery.com/aires_iiil/
That should get you going.
Good luck and enjoy!
William
That should get you going.
Good luck and enjoy!
William
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
I have to admit that I giggled when I first saw what this post was about.
The link William provided will make for a good start.
The link William provided will make for a good start.
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
I don't even wanna know what things Stephanie associates batteries with
camdumb
Newbie
UMM, Ok, I'm changing my username to Icecube.... Where do the batteries go??
I read the whole thing.really....Whats' a f- something, he mentioned.
honestly, how do you turn the thing on?
Stephanie, you stop that gigglin! Camera talk here, just camera talk
I read the whole thing.really....Whats' a f- something, he mentioned.
honestly, how do you turn the thing on?
Stephanie, you stop that gigglin! Camera talk here, just camera talk
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
I know it's camera talk. I'm giggling because you asked about batteries. It needs no batteries.
I think that you'd do well to get a beginner's film photography book that deals with manual cameras. The Aires is an old Leica-type copy and is perfectly suited to learning about film photography. I would suggest that you buy a roll of cheap color or black and white film, find a good book or a source on the net for an introduction to film photography that deals with aperture and shutter speed, and then go shoot some pictures.
I think that you'd do well to get a beginner's film photography book that deals with manual cameras. The Aires is an old Leica-type copy and is perfectly suited to learning about film photography. I would suggest that you buy a roll of cheap color or black and white film, find a good book or a source on the net for an introduction to film photography that deals with aperture and shutter speed, and then go shoot some pictures.
Flinor
Well-known
Um, there are no batteries. Tough concept to come to grips with, I know, but a camera with no electronics, I mean what will they think of next.
Seriously, you've got a pretty nice example of a late 50's rangefinder camera that's very easy to use assuming everything is working on it. Open the back by lifting the latch on the left side of the camera and load film. Set aperture and shutter speed with the rings on the lens. Focus by matching the double images in the rangefinder with the focus ring on the lens. Take a picture. It's very much worth trying it.
Seriously, you've got a pretty nice example of a late 50's rangefinder camera that's very easy to use assuming everything is working on it. Open the back by lifting the latch on the left side of the camera and load film. Set aperture and shutter speed with the rings on the lens. Focus by matching the double images in the rangefinder with the focus ring on the lens. Take a picture. It's very much worth trying it.
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
And also, if you don't want it, I'll take it off your hands and give you my old point and shoot digital.
camdumb
Newbie
Thanks, Stephanie, if I can't make a go of it , you'll be the first i let know.
"APERTURE"?...I am sooooo needing to read a book!
Sorry to have to ask this.. But do I just point and shoot, or do I have to move the dials on the lens?
And yes, Someone can be this dumb
"APERTURE"?...I am sooooo needing to read a book!
Sorry to have to ask this.. But do I just point and shoot, or do I have to move the dials on the lens?
And yes, Someone can be this dumb
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
Yeah, in order to focus the camera, you have to move the lens.
I'll see what information I can find on your camera quickly...if I can come up with anything that better explains how to use it I will.
I'll see what information I can find on your camera quickly...if I can come up with anything that better explains how to use it I will.
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
camdumb
Newbie
Oh thank you so much!!!!!
I'll let you know how it goes tomarrow!!!!
I'll let you know how it goes tomarrow!!!!
camdumb
Newbie
Better make that a couple of days.... I just started to read the manual...I think Mr B is going to get a knock on his door soon
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
Yeah, it takes a while.
And also, be aware that if you just found it and it hasn't been used in years it may not work. If it doesn't, I take back my offer of my digital camera, but I *can* set you up with another working camera.
And also, be aware that if you just found it and it hasn't been used in years it may not work. If it doesn't, I take back my offer of my digital camera, but I *can* set you up with another working camera.
XAos
Well-known
Nice example Bill has there. I was reading the page, not bothering to notice the url, and thought HEY I've seen that cat before. The woman looks familiar too - oh DUH, it's Bill's page.
Camdumb/icecube:
Go buy some 35mm, ISO 100 film at your local CVS/WalMart/Target etc.. (IF you want to shoot B&W, for now make sure it says C-41 - you can still get that processed at your local drug store, walmart etc...
If it's bright and sunny, set the aperture to f/16. If it's hazy F/11, Cloudy f/8, Stormy but still daylight f/5.6. If it's darker than that, go inside and watch TV or find something else to do. (For now)
Set the shutter speed to the fraction closest to the ISO film speed. If it's ISO 100, set it to 1/125th (usually the closest) of a second. If you have doubts, set it to the next slower notch (lower number for fractions, it's usually better to get too much light than too little). Some numbers to be aware of - it's hard to hold the camera still enough by hand slower than 1/60th of a second, maybe 1/30th. (Depends on the camera and you)
See Bill Mattock's page above (the http://www.growlery.com/aires_iiil/ one) for how to focus this one.
Go take some pictures (outside). Indoors is much darker than you would ever imagine, even when it looks brightly lit. Fred does a fine job explaining all of this on the first web page listed below, how shutter speed and aperture relate, what stops are, etc... But that will get you going. Indeed, there is a cult of people who shoot little plastic toy cameras that only have one shutter speed (usually close to 1/100th) and one aperture setting (f/11 usually).
further explanation:
Re film choice:
I shoot a lot of B&W because I can develop it myself at home, but for right now, you dont want to mess with that. C-41 is the process that all the 1 hour photo places use. (Incidently even one hour places are usually cheaper if you elect to leave it with them overnight. Ask first) If you really want to shoot some black and white, make sure that it says that it's C-41. Wal-Mart has started selling some old fashioned true black and white (*ok it's not truly old fashioned but you troublemakers better keep out of this) films. These cost a good bit more to process and they usually have to be sent out for a week or two.)
Re film speed:
The ISO number is the "speed" or light sensitivity of the film. 400 is "faster" (or more sensitive) than 100 or 200, but it's also more expensive. 800 is faster and more expensive still. In addition to being more expensive they generally look "grainy" or coarser than slower speed films. Since you're shooting without a meter of any sort (it's usually built in to the camera) - it's also much harder to guess the light when it gets darker. Stick with ISO 100 for now, and just shoot outdoors in broad daylight until you get the hang of it.
Links
--------
A handy guide for judging the shutter speeds and aperture settings can be found at:
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm
Also, a copy you can print out and make into a handy dandy slide rule out of cardstock can be found at:
http://expomat.tripod.com/
Camdumb/icecube:
Go buy some 35mm, ISO 100 film at your local CVS/WalMart/Target etc.. (IF you want to shoot B&W, for now make sure it says C-41 - you can still get that processed at your local drug store, walmart etc...
If it's bright and sunny, set the aperture to f/16. If it's hazy F/11, Cloudy f/8, Stormy but still daylight f/5.6. If it's darker than that, go inside and watch TV or find something else to do. (For now)
Set the shutter speed to the fraction closest to the ISO film speed. If it's ISO 100, set it to 1/125th (usually the closest) of a second. If you have doubts, set it to the next slower notch (lower number for fractions, it's usually better to get too much light than too little). Some numbers to be aware of - it's hard to hold the camera still enough by hand slower than 1/60th of a second, maybe 1/30th. (Depends on the camera and you)
See Bill Mattock's page above (the http://www.growlery.com/aires_iiil/ one) for how to focus this one.
Go take some pictures (outside). Indoors is much darker than you would ever imagine, even when it looks brightly lit. Fred does a fine job explaining all of this on the first web page listed below, how shutter speed and aperture relate, what stops are, etc... But that will get you going. Indeed, there is a cult of people who shoot little plastic toy cameras that only have one shutter speed (usually close to 1/100th) and one aperture setting (f/11 usually).
further explanation:
Re film choice:
I shoot a lot of B&W because I can develop it myself at home, but for right now, you dont want to mess with that. C-41 is the process that all the 1 hour photo places use. (Incidently even one hour places are usually cheaper if you elect to leave it with them overnight. Ask first) If you really want to shoot some black and white, make sure that it says that it's C-41. Wal-Mart has started selling some old fashioned true black and white (*ok it's not truly old fashioned but you troublemakers better keep out of this) films. These cost a good bit more to process and they usually have to be sent out for a week or two.)
Re film speed:
The ISO number is the "speed" or light sensitivity of the film. 400 is "faster" (or more sensitive) than 100 or 200, but it's also more expensive. 800 is faster and more expensive still. In addition to being more expensive they generally look "grainy" or coarser than slower speed films. Since you're shooting without a meter of any sort (it's usually built in to the camera) - it's also much harder to guess the light when it gets darker. Stick with ISO 100 for now, and just shoot outdoors in broad daylight until you get the hang of it.
Links
--------
A handy guide for judging the shutter speeds and aperture settings can be found at:
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm
Also, a copy you can print out and make into a handy dandy slide rule out of cardstock can be found at:
http://expomat.tripod.com/
Last edited:
camdumb
Newbie
what speed of film, should I buy?
I have a repair camera shop close by, I was going to take it there tomarrow and see if he could tell me if it's in good shape.
I did see, when I accidently unscrewed the lens, the black ring inside was kinda bent alittle
Oh just seen -100 -thanks!
I have a repair camera shop close by, I was going to take it there tomarrow and see if he could tell me if it's in good shape.
I did see, when I accidently unscrewed the lens, the black ring inside was kinda bent alittle
Oh just seen -100 -thanks!
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
I would also say 100. Fuji makes excellent 100 speed film and that is what I'd recommend.
Heh, I have two rolls of HP5 and a roll of T-Max 100 sitting on my desk right now waiting for me to develop them. That is my next chore. Probably going to be done while I wash clothing tomorrow.
This camera will have a decent learning curve for someone who hasn't ever used a manual camera before, but it's a good learning curve. The next thing you'll be asking us is about film development, then printing, then acquiring more gear...
Welcome to the forum.
Heh, I have two rolls of HP5 and a roll of T-Max 100 sitting on my desk right now waiting for me to develop them. That is my next chore. Probably going to be done while I wash clothing tomorrow.
This camera will have a decent learning curve for someone who hasn't ever used a manual camera before, but it's a good learning curve. The next thing you'll be asking us is about film development, then printing, then acquiring more gear...
Welcome to the forum.
K
Kin Lau
Guest
camdumb said:
That's the filter that you just unscrewed... don't worry about. It's not really part of the lense, just a add-on. If the black ring is bent, that means it's been dropped. It's rather hard to bend that part too, due to the design of the Aires.
XAos
Well-known
Hey camdumb - how's it going? Hello ? Heloooooo?
I knew we should have tied a rope around his ankle first.
I knew we should have tied a rope around his ankle first.
camdumb
Newbie
So sorry to have taken this long to get back....
There was a snag... the "original" owner of the camera wanted it back ... DAMN EBAY!!!!
Though I haven't seen it there yet, I hear that's what the plan is.
from what I hear throught the relative grapevine... If it doesn't sell he will give it to me.
Oh, and no need to tie me by the ankle..I'm a girl- Just dangle some chocolate and diamonds in front of me
There was another crap camera up here too..a fuji discovery film- the co. just sent me the owners manual on it...not the same, but I'll try it out anyway.
Thanks for all your help!!!!!
There was a snag... the "original" owner of the camera wanted it back
... DAMN EBAY!!!!Though I haven't seen it there yet, I hear that's what the plan is.
from what I hear throught the relative grapevine... If it doesn't sell he will give it to me.
Oh, and no need to tie me by the ankle..I'm a girl- Just dangle some chocolate and diamonds in front of me
There was another crap camera up here too..a fuji discovery film- the co. just sent me the owners manual on it...not the same, but I'll try it out anyway.
Thanks for all your help!!!!!