What have you just BOUGHT?

Fujifilm X-E4 with the new 27mm F2.8
Peak Design Leash - Blue

The 27mm did not work out (had to order elsewhere and it is super hard to find). So, I ordered the Sigma 56mm with it instead...and bought the Fujifilm 16mm 2.8 and 23mm F2 used. Not sure if I'll keep the 16 or 23, but I had to try them. I can sell them in Chile for a better price if I do not want them.
 
Neighbors were having a tag sale (as we call them in New England -- same as yard sale, garage sale, boot sale) and contacted me last night if I'd be interested in a camera and lenses they found while digging things out to sell. Exakta VX IIa, with Zeiss 50 Pancolar and 35 Flektogon, and a Caspeco 135/2.8 (never heard of this brand; Japanese). So, mid-1960s vintage. Also included was a case for the camera, a small electronic flash and a couple of filters, in a rough condition leather case. The camera needs exercising, clearly, because the 1/25 and 1/50 hang up. Haven't tried the slower speeds. Lenses look clear, though the focusing is stiff. I offered $20, which they accepted -- I think they were happy to get anything.
 
Neighbors were having a tag sale (as we call them in New England -- same as yard sale, garage sale, boot sale) and contacted me last night if I'd be interested in a camera and lenses they found while digging things out to sell. Exakta VX IIa, with Zeiss 50 Pancolar and 35 Flektogon, and a Caspeco 135/2.8 (never heard of this brand; Japanese). So, mid-1960s vintage. Also included was a case for the camera, a small electronic flash and a couple of filters, in a rough condition leather case. The camera needs exercising, clearly, because the 1/25 and 1/50 hang up. Haven't tried the slower speeds. Lenses look clear, though the focusing is stiff. I offered $20, which they accepted -- I think they were happy to get anything.

That's nice equipment. Don't exercise it ... Send all of it out for a good CLA. Anything that old, that's probably been sitting for 20-40 years, needs a thorough cleaning and re-lubrication. The shutter is likely very dirty and the lubricant stiffened to crumbly junk ... exercising it with that stuff in there could actually do significant damage. Same for the focusing helicoids in the lenses.

Serviced and put into good working order, it's a wonderful camera that can take excellent photographs. I had a couple of them over the years, one from my Uncle who gave it to me when he bought a Nikon F... :D

G
 
That's nice equipment. Don't exercise it ... Send all of it out for a good CLA. Anything that old, that's probably been sitting for 20-40 years, needs a thorough cleaning and re-lubrication. The shutter is likely very dirty and the lubricant stiffened to crumbly junk ... exercising it with that stuff in there could actually do significant damage. Same for the focusing helicoids in the lenses.

Serviced and put into good working order, it's a wonderful camera that can take excellent photographs. I had a couple of them over the years, one from my Uncle who gave it to me when he bought a Nikon F... :D

G

Actually, the shutter seems fine now -- a couple of firings at each speed and things seem pretty accurate. The Pancolar seems to have loosened up and the Flektogon, while a little stiff, is not terrible. The Caspeco 135 is fine. All lenses are clear and apertures snappy. But your advice duly noted and appreciated!

I grit my teeth a little saying this, but if ever there were a steampunk SLR, the Exaktas (particularly the ones from the early 50s, with the engraved name plate), would be it.
 
I like that ... Exacta Steampunk Special Edition. :D

I'm glad to hear it's waked up and seems to be working well. I only send the cautionary because an SLR is a complex machine and I've had a couple of them that went south fast with just a couple of firings when they were dirty, leading to a much more expensive repair job. But if it's good, it's good and also fortunate. ;)

G
 
I like that ... Exacta Steampunk Special Edition. :D

I'm glad to hear it's waked up and seems to be working well. I only send the cautionary because an SLR is a complex machine and I've had a couple of them that went south fast with just a couple of firings when they were dirty, leading to a much more expensive repair job. But if it's good, it's good and also fortunate. ;)

G

Thanks. Yes, fortunate! When I looked at the camera I thought it was going to be a basket case, but not so apparently. Aaand, I think the shutter curtains are OK also, which is often a risk with the Exaktas. My understanding is that the early '50s cameras tend to be without problems, but toward the later 50s that was not the case. Too bad, because those tend to be the prettiest bodies -- raised lettering rather than engraved. By the early '60s Ihagee got better curtain material.
 
Regarding Exakta shutter speeds, I’ve written this in various forums at various times; it doesn’t seem to stay around:

A note on shutter speeds: you have the main dial (with 1/1000-1/25, B, T) and the secondary dial with black and red numbers.

-- To use 1/1000, B, or T, just set it on the main dial; leave the secondary dial unwound.

-- To use 1/5sec to 12sec, set B on main dial; wind and set to black number on secondary dial

-- To use fixed delay before 1/1000-1/25, set speed on main dial; wind and set any red number on secondary dial

-- To use fixed delay before 1/5-6sec, set B on main dial; wind and select a red number on secondary dial
 
Regarding Exakta shutter speeds, I’ve written this in various forums at various times; it doesn’t seem to stay around:

A note on shutter speeds: you have the main dial (with 1/1000-1/25, B, T) and the secondary dial with black and red numbers.

-- To use 1/1000, B, or T, just set it on the main dial; leave the secondary dial unwound.

-- To use 1/5sec to 12sec, set B on main dial; wind and set to black number on secondary dial

-- To use fixed delay before 1/1000-1/25, set speed on main dial; wind and set any red number on secondary dial

-- To use fixed delay before 1/5-6sec, set B on main dial; wind and select a red number on secondary dial

The last two bullet points were a subtlety that I'm not sure I ever had gotten straight -- I would set a shorter delay (like 4 seconds) and then wonder why the heck the secondary dial would just turn, and turn, and turn, and not fire until much later than I thought it would. I need to print this out and stick it with my Exaktas! An even more complicated mechanism than I thought. Thanks for this -- needs to be a "sticky" in the Exakta forum.
 
I don't know if that counts but I had an "old" M6 TTL (probably from the early 90s) CLA'ed by Leica recently. I received the camera a few weeks ago in mediocre condition since it has been sitting in an old lady's cupboard for at least 15 years (the camera belonged to her late husband).

The camera came back from Leica's CS last week and I have to admit that it looks pristine now. I am happy to share some photos next time I stop by.
 
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Canon P. Already had the 50 1.4 and VCII, the VCII at the other position for the hot shoe is about perfect on the Canon. Doesn't block setting the shutter speed and the film rewind has plenty of clearance too.
 
18-55mm Nikon zoom. Replacement for the VR version that turned out to be incompatible with the D300, in turn a replacement for the one that broke when the camera fell off a tripod.

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Bought a Canon Sure Shot Owl that I'm testing as my P&S camera, one roll in so still need to see how it fares.

Also have a Voigtlander 50mm 1.5 version II on its way
 
Bought a Canon Sure Shot Owl that I'm testing as my P&S camera, one roll in so still need to see how it fares.

Also have a Voigtlander 50mm 1.5 version II on its way

I have a Sure Shot Owl and quite like it. Nice and simple and takes good pictures within its limitations. I think you'll be pleased.
 
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