Just some thoughts regarding recent purchases (also returns) and recent news. As background, I consider myself brand agnostic and think there is space for many brands to accommodate many preferences. Debates regarding one brand versus another will send me backing away slowly. Pointless. These are just some observations regarding recent personal and news feed revelations. Continue reading Camera Random Neural Firings: Something old and Canon and new and Nikon
Category Archives: ThisOldCamera
Contax 137 MA Quartz Part 3: Photo Update
My first post about the Contax 137 MA Quartz was a leap of faith.
Faith in the Contax name. This is my fourth (35mm) Contax and each has been rock solid.
Faith in KEH.com bargain grade. Have purchased many an item bargain grade from KEH and each has been rock solid.
My second post was about the new covering I put on it. Very happy with that.
Ah. Lenses. Purchased the excellent normal Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm <inhales> f/1.7 with the camera.
Vintage camera DIY part 2: Reskin for Contax 137 MA Quartz
This is my second try at some cosmetic DIY. The first for a Nikon FE was a success.
This time around we are looking at the Contax 137 MA Quartz. Continue reading Vintage camera DIY part 2: Reskin for Contax 137 MA Quartz
This Old Camera: Leica R4
Did not expect this at all.
Through the kindness of friends, I was able to borrow a Leica R4. If I am honest a hunt for a Leica R camera was the starting point that ended with my recent Contax 137 MA Quartz.
Honestly expected to like, even love this camera.
This Old Camera: Contax (Yashica) 137 MA Quartz + Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.7
Have since added a photo update.
May regret this later, but I am calling it early. Have yet to even get through my first roll of film, but I am calling the Contax 137 MA Quartz as my favorite SLR of all time at any price… And I have and have had quite a few SLRs. And this is one of the least expensive SLRs I have purchased. Does not matter. Why?
First off that name.
Continue reading This Old Camera: Contax (Yashica) 137 MA Quartz + Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.7
This Old Camera: Voigtlander Bessa R2
If you want a Leica and you have the disposable income required to inhabit Leica town my advice is to get a Leica.
If you want a Leica and have full-blown metered red dot fever, but do not have the disposable income required currently do not buy anything else because you will eventually sell it, potentially at a loss, in order to finance a Leica. If you do not mind the maligned aesthetics of the internally metered M5 that is an option. An older body like an M3 may do the trick for you. Not bad at all with a Leicameter atop. Pricey for the vintage, but waaay less than an M6. And, unlike non-Leicas, it will hold it’s value or even appreciate when you do flip it for an M6 or the like.
There are technically other options also if you wish to consider them. Zeiss, Leitz/Minolta collab, so on and so forth are all fine cameras. But some of those can get pricey quickly as well. They may be right up your alley if you have a bit of a contrarian bent. But if you are determined to get a Leica they may get flipped later as well.
This old camera: Petri 7S. From “Ha!, like the dish?” to “Why have I never heard of this camera before?” in one day.
Started out innocently enough looking through posts on a Film GAS Facebook page (Disclaimer: Click at your own risk. I am in no way responsible for any purchases made as a result.) Came across a post on the Petri 7S. Thrown by the brand name at first and moved on. Next day I searched Flickr for some samples that impressed me. Once I realized how cheap these cameras are I picked one up from KEH.com for $23. Here are my thoughts, cons first. Continue reading This old camera: Petri 7S. From “Ha!, like the dish?” to “Why have I never heard of this camera before?” in one day.
This old camera: FED 2
Surprised I never wrote about just this camera by itself. (Tongue and cheek comparison written for KEH here.) About this lens. Case is pretty spiffy also.
What is it? Continue reading This old camera: FED 2
Love DSLRs. But I chose mirrorless because I love film gear more.
A valid response to this blog title is “What?” Allow me to explain. Or try to anyway.
These are interesting times. A lot of virtual ink is spilled debating between mirrorless or DSLR. Most points made miss the point for me really. Sure, I chose mirrorless. But my choice has nothing to do with a dislike for DSLRs. I love DSLRs. But I love film cameras more.
But, but… Battery life… OVF over EVF… Native lens selection… AF speed… Dual card slots… So on and so forth. Meh. Gladly put up with all of this. (And most of these concerns are being eliminated by the most recent wave of mirrorless cameras. An A7iii will be in my future and it may go down as the industry tipping point.) But once again film tech is what changed my mind.
Why? Continue reading Love DSLRs. But I chose mirrorless because I love film gear more.
Scanner Files: Lomography 400 (Contax G1/Zeiss 45mm f/2)
Love this camera. Love this lens. Now I love this film.
Continue reading Scanner Files: Lomography 400 (Contax G1/Zeiss 45mm f/2)