Tincup
Newbie
Vince Lupo - I can relate about a cupboard of cameras, but if the German Rollei 35 is clean and working well, jump on it. Remember: “there’s no time like the present”.😁
What have you just BOUGHT?
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Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Rollei madness: Just ordered a Rolleigon 50mm f/4 for the 6006. Internet blather says that this lens, made by Tokina (!), actually tests out better than the equivalent Distagon, benefitting from all the latest mid-1980's optical technology. They're about half the price, since the Distagon is a Zeiss design, and of course everyone knows that Zeiss lenses are better!
A word to all three Rolleiflex SLR owners out there --- Go with American sellers. There is no demand for Rollei SLR stuff here in the US, and really never was. Prices are consequently low(er). The Rolleis were Hot Stuff in Europe, and overseas sellers price their items accordingly.
The 6006 is my latest baby. Weird, cranky, and quirky, like me, so we've bonded quite well!
A word to all three Rolleiflex SLR owners out there --- Go with American sellers. There is no demand for Rollei SLR stuff here in the US, and really never was. Prices are consequently low(er). The Rolleis were Hot Stuff in Europe, and overseas sellers price their items accordingly.
The 6006 is my latest baby. Weird, cranky, and quirky, like me, so we've bonded quite well!
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
With the same luck required to dance between raindrops I was able to buy a SKyllaney Bertele pre-production lens. I have known that I am really lucky but this one pushed the bounds.
OK, the points, fit and finish are jewelry level of fineness and quality. These folks know how to run a lathe. The movement of the iris and distance rings is precise with the right amount of drag, enough to hold the setting but not so much as to hinder movement. It is a hefty brass machine. The lens itself has the Sonnar gift of being good with color. The colors just seem to bloom.
I had planned to do some test shots with it running against a CZJ 5cm 272 series f/1.5, another piece of serendipity, of some Foxgloves growing wild in my backyard. Ferns and Foxgloves are pretty much roadside weeds in the PNW. Instead I misjudged the distance and fell, twisting, onto my back facing downhill, wrapped in brambles, vines and undergrowth. This must be why they do not let me out of the home often. ;o) Anyway, I did manage to get righted but lost my phone in the undergrowth. Google has a "Find My Phone" that makes it ring for five minutes. So I have regained my dignity and my phone but have nothing to show of image tests.
I do have one shot off my back porch, an impulsive but trite first photo. You do not know this but the blues and reds are stronger but not garish. Just enough subtle boot so as not to look unnatural. On balance this is probably as good a 50 as you will ever be able to find. With the CZJ 5cm 272 f/1.5 and the Cooke Amotal I have three very good 50's. I am very lucky and grateful.
Lens pic followed by that impulsive first shot.
OK, the points, fit and finish are jewelry level of fineness and quality. These folks know how to run a lathe. The movement of the iris and distance rings is precise with the right amount of drag, enough to hold the setting but not so much as to hinder movement. It is a hefty brass machine. The lens itself has the Sonnar gift of being good with color. The colors just seem to bloom.
I had planned to do some test shots with it running against a CZJ 5cm 272 series f/1.5, another piece of serendipity, of some Foxgloves growing wild in my backyard. Ferns and Foxgloves are pretty much roadside weeds in the PNW. Instead I misjudged the distance and fell, twisting, onto my back facing downhill, wrapped in brambles, vines and undergrowth. This must be why they do not let me out of the home often. ;o) Anyway, I did manage to get righted but lost my phone in the undergrowth. Google has a "Find My Phone" that makes it ring for five minutes. So I have regained my dignity and my phone but have nothing to show of image tests.
I do have one shot off my back porch, an impulsive but trite first photo. You do not know this but the blues and reds are stronger but not garish. Just enough subtle boot so as not to look unnatural. On balance this is probably as good a 50 as you will ever be able to find. With the CZJ 5cm 272 f/1.5 and the Cooke Amotal I have three very good 50's. I am very lucky and grateful.
Lens pic followed by that impulsive first shot.
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das
Well-known
A PB mount CZJ 50mm f/1.4 Version II. Word on the street was that is better than the M42 55mm f/1.4 Pancolar and Version I of the PB lens. The Contax 1.4 is amazing and lives up to its reputation, but excited to see whether East Germany can compete.
JeffS7444
Well-known
Film processing equipment and supplies. I've been wanting to try out Cinestill's sous vide device for some time, as it potentially seems like a great replacement for the Jobo processor I sold a number of years ago, but downsized for 2023's lower film volumes.
wlewisiii
Veteran
Been wanting one for years because it seems, to me, like a really fun film camera for both MF & AF Nikkors. Advanced in someways, yet the controls are old school.
Found one on Ebay for a low enough price and a good description. Hopefully it will be as good as claimed.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Got a CLA for my Om-2n from Luton Cameras. Got it back yesterday and feels like is in top shape.
shawn
Veteran
A photographer I worked with around 1990 had a F4s that I always loved to use. Such a cool camera, have fun!
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
My F4 is one of my most used cameras. I had it serviced by Miles Whitehead back in 2016 or thereabout. In some ways it is better than the F5 (I.e. smaller with the MB20, I like the way it meters with b&w (exposes for the shadows), more quiet in Cs mode etc...). My view is that it focuses slightly faster with the MB21. Make sure you use fresh batteries with the MB20 - only 6v in total and camera will seize if it drops below 4.5v.
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
You will love this camera! For me, the best combination of advanced features and traditional controls; a series of compromises (like all cameras) that doesn't feel like a compromise. And tough as nails. Congrats!
shawn
Veteran
Speaking of tough as nails Nikons (or tougher).....
I have been considering a Nikonos V for years. During the last month I had numerous times I didn't bring a camera out due to the weather. This Nikonos V popped up, in my preferred body color, with the 80mm and finder for what an orange body goes for alone. It is in great shape and looks like it is working perfectly. I'll be inspecting/greasing/replacing the O rings to make it hopefully still very weatherproof, not planning on going underwater with it.
I have been considering a Nikonos V for years. During the last month I had numerous times I didn't bring a camera out due to the weather. This Nikonos V popped up, in my preferred body color, with the 80mm and finder for what an orange body goes for alone. It is in great shape and looks like it is working perfectly. I'll be inspecting/greasing/replacing the O rings to make it hopefully still very weatherproof, not planning on going underwater with it.
hap
Well-known
I have an Orange body. I Like the accessory VF on yours.Speaking of tough as nails Nikons (or tougher).....
I have been considering a Nikonos V for years. During the last month I had numerous times I didn't bring a camera out due to the weather. This Nikonos V popped up, in my preferred body color, with the 80mm and finder for what an orange body goes for alone. It is in great shape and looks like it is working perfectly. I'll be inspecting/greasing/replacing the O rings to make it hopefully still very weatherproof, not planning on going underwater with it.
wlewisiii
Veteran
Ah, oops. A what the heck low ball bid just won me a Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-D Lens. Been wanting one and got it stupid cheap but it's time to shut the Eprey window before I buy anything else! LOL!
shawn
Veteran
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
I like that their invoice appears to have been typewritten with a manual typewriter, judging by the subtle type irregularity and misspelling, kudos to them!
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Congratulations. The F4 is one of the best film cameras Nikon ever made and today is an absolute bargain, given its capabilities and ruggedness. I bought two F4s’s. It is the last film camera they made with traditional controls with the philosophy that each function has a single control and each control has a single function. No overloading. The F4 and FM3a mark the end of an era.
Ken Rockwell is exactly correct in saying the F4 is the Rosetta Stone for Nikon lens compatibility.
(see chart - far, far down on the page)
Consider getting an MF-23 back for your F4. On the MIR site, they state that an F4 without the MF-23 back “is only 90% of an F4” - it’s lacking 10% of its full capabilities.
I agree with them. I have MF-23 backs on each of my F4s’s and I use them mostly for imprinting exposure information between the frames. However, I’ve also used the “trap focus” feature to trip the shutter when a moving object enters the field of focus.
(yes, the cameras now have straps)
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Excellent. Simply excellent.Speaking of tough as nails Nikons (or tougher).....
This Nikonos V popped up, in my preferred body color,
The Nikonos V camera has such subtle and impressive features that weren’t immediately apparent to me (I love your green one, I could only find orange). First is that the camera is so tightly sealed that the shutter can barely be heard. Second is that, because of its sealed nature, there is a “rewind mode” on the dial. Third, the viewfinder display is clever, showing you both your selected speed and the suggested speed for light conditions. Fourth, the metering is performed by looking at light coming through the lens and reflected off a pattern printed on the shutter; the calculated exposure can hold the shutter open automatically for as long as needed (I’ve made a 20-second exposure). Fifth, all the operations on this camera are so solid and firm. Clever and well designed.
The standard 35mm f/2.5 lens for these cameras is probably the sharpest 35mm lens I’ve ever used - it beats my Summicron v4.
The flash units for these are impressive.
Congratulations on getting a green one!
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Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Thinking about it… the Df is the digital equivalent of the F4 in terms of controls. I think with the Df Nikon was paying homage to the F4.
The Df actually offers better compatibility and usability than the F4 with all lenses - from pre-AI to the newest F-mount.
The Df actually offers better compatibility and usability than the F4 with all lenses - from pre-AI to the newest F-mount.
hap
Well-known
Thar she blows! My orange one.
hap
Well-known
If I did not have a Fm3a and a F100 I would have an F4.Congratulations. The F4 is one of the best film cameras Nikon ever made and today is an absolute bargain, given its capabilities and ruggedness. I bought two F4s’s. It is the last film camera they made with traditional controls with the philosophy that each function has a single control and each control has a single function. No overloading. The F4 and FM3a mark the end of an era.
Ken Rockwell is exactly correct in saying the F4 is the Rosetta Stone for Nikon lens compatibility.
(see chart - far, far down on the page)
Consider getting an MF-23 back for your F4. On the MIR site, they state that an F4 without the MF-23 back “is only 90% of an F4” - it’s lacking 10% of its full capabilities.
I agree with them. I have MF-23 backs on each of my F4s’s and I use them mostly for imprinting exposure information between the frames. However, I’ve also used the “trap focus” feature to trip the shutter when a moving object enters the field of focus.
(yes, the cameras now have straps)
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