What to buy next?

[Byuphoto]

I highly recommend the Epson 4180 film scanner. I bought mine for $200 at Office Depot and it is a dedicated flat bed film scanner. It will do 35mm print and slides and 120.

 

[Poptart]

former soviet union.

Ah. I just call that Russian.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Depending on how much do you want to invest, a Fed/Zorki with some used lenses would be your target, next the scanner (that´s if you prefer screw mount lenses).
Also, a Canon 7 will do the trick (you can buy a used 50 /0.95 lens too!)
Thiniking of FSU, you´ll save on the camera, be able to buy cheap and excellent lenses, and save on dev/scan costs.
OTOH, if you want state of the art technology, go for the Bessa R3a.
Regards!

 

[wlewisiii]

How are the FSU lenses and their quality control?

The best for overall quality were the Kievs. A newish Kiev 4am (most recent model, without the selenium meter) can be had for $40 easily on ebay. It'll probably come with the 53/1.8 Helios which is a very sharp (to me almost too sharp) lens. Plus since the mount itself is so much simpler and is the one the lenses were originally designed for, it is much easier to get good cheap Jupiters for a Kiev than for the LTM cameras. Yes, there are fewer overall lenses available for that mount, but if you keep your eyes open you can find real deals on world class Zeiss Contax lenses for that Kiev and they will work beautifully.

A good intro to Kievs is here: http://www.cameraquest.com/zconrfKiev.htm

Now if it weren't for that discrete requirement of yours, I'd tell you that you need this interchangable lens RF instead :angel: 😱 😀

http://www.cameraquest.com/techs.htm

That's a lust for another day I fear... 😛

William

 

[David Doler]

I'd say the FSU too, but since you have to choose your poison carefully, I'd save the nickels and buy a Bessa R2 with the 50/2.5 Skopar lens that they sometimes sell with it. Thats what I'd save for if I could only have one new RF that was affordable.

 

[einolu]

I would recomend a FSU camera if you want to use more than a 50mm and if you care about framing. FSU viewfinders seem to be all over the place in regards to accuracy.

 

[rover]

To R,
or not to R,
That is the question.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Any good screw mount reccomendations?


hmmm....that sounds almost dirty...

Byuphoto may be able to put you in touch with the Hooter's/Harley girls...

 

[Kin Lau]

I know how to dev B&W, but i'd need to get the tanks, chems, etc. I'd also need more RAM...goodness it never stops does it?

I'll go with Byuphoto's suggestion of a Epson 4180 or whichever 4xxx scanner is available to you. The 3xxx series is fine too. It'll handle both 35mm and 120 format. The 4180 has been tested to be almost as good as a dedicated 35mm film scanner.

Tanks and chems are _very_cheap_ right now. I just picked up a couple more stainless steel 35mm & 120 reels and tanks for CDN $8- off Ebay. Rodinal & HC110 are cheap to use and last forever. I use Kodafix and that's quite cheap too.

If you go the FSU route, a Kiev is very nice, it's easier to find a good J9 & J12 in that mount but just keep in mind that beyond the 35, 50, 85 & 135 range, you'll be limited, especially at the wide end. Of course, for the price, it's not a big deal since a good LTM lense will easily cost the same as a whole Kiev kit.

 

[Poptart]

Check this deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Voigtlander-Ult...ryZ30077QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[cp_ste.croix]

I may just go with the epson until I can afford that dedicated one. I could afford it now at the prices it's fetching! Anyone have any scans done by it recently? Neg scans rather than print...


So contax mount or LSM...decisions decisions...part of me really wants a FSU camera and the other part of me is a loyal canon user. GRR! Which has the best availability of good, fast lenses in 35/50/80/sub 30 that won't crush me financially?

 

[cp_ste.croix]

Check this deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Voigtlander-Ult...ryZ30077QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

12mm eh? that is super wide...i've never used anything wider than 24, how often would someone use that thing?