What's a man to do?

[ChrisN]

Honestly, I'm trying hard not to become a collector. I know my acquisitive nature, and I'm trying to avoid collecting cameras I know I won't use. I was awfully tempted by Joe's recent offer of one of his Canons, but I resisted.

Went to the local car-boot flea market this morning, and wandered around. Met a seller I'd chatted with once before, about cameras. Amongst his other junk he had an old folder I didn't recognise, and we talked about that. Then he reached into his car and pulled out an old Canon rangefinder. He had showed it to me before, and in fact it was that which initially sparked my interest in Canon rangefinders. I told him that, then handed him the Canon P from my bag, which he admired. Then he floored me, by offering me his old Canon, saying he wanted to pass it along to someone who would appreciate it. The price asked was much less than its worth, and I told him so, but that didn't seem to bother him.

End result is, I now the proud owner of a Canon IV-SB, with 50/1.8. The rangefinder patch is dim, and the viewfinder is a bit cloudy and certainly squinty compared to the P, but everything seems to work. Now, where do I find instructions on how to load a bottom-feeder?

What a day!

 

[back alley]

this will get ya started


she looks great chris!
it's a whole 'nother experience from the p.
congrats.

joe

 

[ChrisN]

Thanks Joe. Well, it's loaded with film - I'm off to shoot some pics!

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Film is good.

I thought about going downtown tonight and shooting some low-light bar shots with the P and some HP5, but I'm too tired. Heh.

 

[jlw]

End result is, I now the proud owner of a Canon IV-SB, with 50/1.8. The rangefinder patch is dim, and the viewfinder is a bit cloudy and certainly squinty compared to the P, but everything seems to work. Now, where do I find instructions on how to load a bottom-feeder?

Just so happens I've got a tattered but complete original instruction manual for models III-A and IV-S, which should be close enough to have the info you need.

I could either scan it and post it somewhere for anyone who needs to see it -- or I could give it to you, and you could do the scanning and posting.

Whaddaya think?

 

[ChrisN]

That would work, either way! I'll PM my address, and if you want to send it to me, I'll be happy to cover the postage and do the scanning and posting.

 

[back alley]

i found one online and printed it off.
actually, i think g'man found it.

joe

 

[ChrisN]

Well, the test roll is done. While the shutter speeds seeom ok, I think I might have a couple of small holes in the shutter curtain - you can see the hot-spots in the attached shots - they are in the same place on all the photos. Is that what I'm looking at?

 

[Doug]

Yeah, I'd guess pinholes, Chris. I've experienced it first-hand too... This doesn't necessarily call for new shutter curtains, as some handy fixer-uppers here have suggested a kind of goop that can be applied 🙂.

 

[ChrisN]

I've heard about the goop. The problem will be identifying the holes - no way to back-light the shutter with a bottom loader! Or does the body come away easily leaving the shutter attached to the top section, like a Zorki?

 

[Pherdinand]

You could use a led for illumintaion, maybe it fits between shutter and back plate. But maybe not.

Yeah...i've told you guys, b ottom loaders are not cool🙂

 

[ChrisN]

No room for an LED - you can barely fit a sheet of white paper in there - I've tried! The film pressure plate is sping loaded and rests lightly against the frame where the film sits. I've tried shining a very bright flashlight down there but I can't see any sign of light through either curtain. I think I'll have to remove the body. Has anyone done that?

Not cool? Wait till you fondle one, and take pictures with it. Lovely handling despite the squinty viewfinder. 🙂

 

[rover]

I finally gave in myself after long stating that I am not a collector. No reason not to be, right.

Here is the online manual Joe mentioned.

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon_35mm/canon_35mm.htm

 

[ChrisN]

Ralph - that's excellent! Thanks very much.

 

[back alley]

You could use a led for illumintaion, maybe it fits between shutter and back plate. But maybe not.

Yeah...i've told you guys, b ottom loaders are not cool🙂

bottom loaders are very cool!

especially the ones without pinholes.
sorry about that chris.

maybe do a search and find that discussion about what exactly the goop is that can be used.

joe

 

[back alley]

g'man to the rescue, again!

mornin' dave!

joe

 

[back alley]

or, in the future, buy from joe, a reliable kinda guy!!!🙂
j/k

joe😉

 

[ChrisN]

Cheers G'man and Joe! Good morning! Joe - if you had placed your camera into my hands, and offered me that price, I would certainly have bought from you! Without a doubt! Anyway - the journey is just as important as the destination.

I'll try to track down that fabric paint - my wife is into the crafty stuff so she might know where to find some.

 

[back alley]

no worries, just trying to give ya a hard time.

joe

 

[ChrisN]

Yeah - I know. I've worked out that under that gruff exterior lies the heart of a gruff interior! 🙂 🙂 😛

I'm off to the post office.