Would it be Crazy to ....

[Bill Blackwell]

ha, something to consider though I thought 'fungus' never truly goes away...

The camera body is perfect! Some of the fungus in the lens might clean up, but you're probably right - much of it will likely remain. I just happened to see it on Tony's site and thought of you. He also has a 2005 SP w/ 35mm f/1.8 lens (mint all the way around) - for considerably more though.

 

[Rob-F]

Helen, what about the Zeiss ZM body? I checked one out in Chicago and liked it. Great viewfinder! I didn't buy it, but I still think about getting one sometimes. They are discontinued, and I guess repairs might be a problem . . . OK. How about an M4P? I bought one a couple of years ago and sent it to Youxin Ye for a tuneup. Good camera!

 

[Rob-F]

Helen, do you go in cycles of buying and selling? I have done that and regretted it. Selling a camera and later buying it back. I wish I had my SWC back. Sometimes I even miss my XPAN. My new policy is to think carefully before selling, now!

 

[Evergreen States]

I just had a few other ideas. I'm sorry if adding more options is overwhelming, but I hope we're helping. We love your work and want to see you happy.

1. One idea to get creative juices flowing with a radically different camera would be a fully automatic fixed lens 135 format compact. Ricoh's GR film compacts came in 28mm and 21mm versions, Yashica T4s and T5s are a bit better priced than the Contax T2 and T3 (all ~35mm lenses), Minolta's TC-1 is 28mm... those are just a few. Fuji's GA645 series has 35 and 28mm equivalents if you're willing to try a 645 medium format point and shoot. You do run the risk of eventual failure, so hopefully you'd be able to get ahold of one that has a good lens but whose price isn't yet absurd.

2. A Ricoh GR (2013, APS-C digital), if you'd be willing to try digital again, 28mm equivalent and without a viewfinder. These are small enough to use with one hand. Ricoh also makes an accessory lens to give it a 21mm equivalent view. I've heard they made beautiful JPEGs in both black and white and color. Michael Ernest Sweet shot his book The Human Fragment on the streets of NYC entirely with the GR and its built-in flash, JPEGs only, edited with Snapseed.

3. This one is a bit out there, but here goes. If The Head Bartender still has your M4 and it's out of reach for you... we take up a collection so you can buy it back. For example, if we can get only 100 of us from the forum to each chip in $20, that's $2000. I'm definitely willing to put $20 towards it.

 

[Rob-F]

Yep, I'm in for 20.

 

[james.liam]

ha, something to consider though I thought 'fungus' never truly goes away... Thank You for this

The lens will go away in time, not the fungus. Hydroflouric acid is a relentless beast.

I just had a few other ideas. I'm sorry if adding more options is overwhelming, but I hope we're helping. We love your work and want to see you happy.

A Ricoh GR (2013, APS-C digital), if you'd be willing to try digital again, 28mm equivalent and without a viewfinder. These are small enough to use with one hand. Ricoh also makes an accessory lens to give it a 21mm equivalent view. I've heard they made beautiful JPEGs in both black and white and color. Michael Ernest Sweet shot his book The Human Fragment on the streets of NYC entirely with the GR and its built-in flash, JPEGs only, edited with Snapseed.

The B&W JPEGs out of the Ricoh are superb, as is its lens.

 

[bluesun267]

Helen, Since you said you were thinking about a new direction, and you've ruled out the Hexar...it's probably safe to reveal that I've recently acquired an R8 and love it. Also, the Summicron-R 50 (v2) is every bit the B/W film masterpiece that the Nikkor SC & Summicron DR are.

But that body, wow, I've never had a camera whose viewfinder presented the world as a work of art, until now. Meaning it has an ability to make everything you point it at look so good. (This can become a bad thing if you're trigger happy). Sure, the camera is a weighty beast, and that would be my one complaint if it can be called a complaint. But it's still lighter than an EOS-1, F5, F4 etc.

They really did throw away a lot of baggage when they designed the R8. Such a majestic looking object whose grandiosity melts away in use. It just dispenses with so much of the cantankery of film cameras and leaves only simplicity and ease in its place.

Between the R8 and the Hexar RF I guess I have to admit I like to live dangerously because they are probably two of the most unrepairable film cameras out there, so I'm sure you won't hear a lot of love in this thread. But I'm just gonna enjoy them until I can't any longer.

 

[raydm6]

Helen, whatever you decide, I will always admire your photography. You have an amazing eye. And more importantly, I am glad you are safe. You handled that situation admirably.

The recent episodes of violence in NYC is crazy; especially the recent hammer-attack on the subway stairwell - (warning graphic). That is Nuts!

Please take care of yourself and be safe. We all need to practice situational awareness (especially when photographing) and have some sort of self-defense training and/or personal protection devices ready. This is just unacceptable. Be well.

 

[leicapixie]

No Leica! Seems inconceivable! If the dislike sufficient, get a mirrorless that takes your lenses. 21mm pretty wide so problems may occur at edges.. Hexar is not supported and actually old by electronic age..

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Damage to the coating or etching of glass due to fungus will stay with a lens. I've gotten to fungus in some lenses before permanent damage occurs. As far as arresting growth- I leave a lens under a UV light more a couple of days. It seems to work- I've not seen new damage due to fungus after doing this.

And- I'm putting it to the test, received a camera collection of the late Father-in-law of a friend to assess. OMG. It was stored horribly. Most of the lenses cleaned up without showing the tell-tale marks. Some- better then they were, but show marks in the coating.

 

[Canyongazer]

It's a different World since Covid...
Camera stores have NOTHING anymore cept the newest & brightest gear... B&H, Adorama are no longer what you think

Helen, I've not been in B&H since Before Covid.
Sorry to read your report. 🙁

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've spent a lot of money at B&H- but for computer memory and other accessories.
I did buy my (then) new S3-2000 from them.

 

[hap]

consider a TLR. If really crazy a 127 like a Sawyer or Rollei grey baby. Beautiful machines and MF quality. Keep the 21 on a barnack.

 

[hap]

or how about a 4x5? Crown Graphic with a 120 roll back or a grafmatic and some nice Tri X...or a baby graphic?

 

[Darthfeeble]

Always remember and don't ever forget, where ever you go and what ever you do....... it's the indian, not the arrow that got the Buffalo.

 

[hap]

Always remember and don't ever forget, where ever you go and what ever you do....... it's the indian, not the arrow that got the Buffalo.

I think the Buffalo got it with a Henry repeating rifle.

 

[splitimageview]

The 1x viewfinder on the Nikon spoils you, compared with the Contax, the post-war Sonnar 50/1.5 has the edge on the Nikkor- smoother Bokeh.

The West German Sonnar 50/1.5 can be easily adjusted to use on the Nikon, it has a variable stand-off ring. Drop the barrel from the mount, unscrew about 1/3rd turn- put back into the mount.

Brian does this apply to the Opton Sonnar 50/2 or just the f/1.5?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Brian does this apply to the Opton Sonnar 50/2 or just the f/1.5?

The post-war 50/2 Zeiss Sonnar has the same type of variable stand-off ring and is held into the mount with a retaining ring. The lens and mount use a guide-pin, so it can be adjusted using the variable stand-off ring. Easy- as the Aperture ring stays in the same relative position as the index mark. No need to re-index as required for the Zeiss Jena Sonnars.

 

[african_jon]

I have an S3 2000 that I used when getting back into film. I love it although was tempted by an M5 and now almost shoot that exclusively.
Oh, one more thing your photos are wonderful!

 

[Range-rover]

Hi Helen, If your looking for a camera for your 21mm f4 LTM look for a Yashica/Nicca YF, it looks like a Leica M but has
a shutter dial like an early screwmount camera and rewind knob, they come up on ebay from time to time that's where
I got mine from.