Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: js1138
"I go back a ways in film photography. I worked a whole summer to buy a Black Nikon F back in '65. Still have it; still works."

My first new camera was a Nikkorex F from that era. It was stolen along with my lenses, light meter, and the top grain cowhide case my father made.

I later bought a Nikkormat FS w/50 2.0, a 35 2.0, and a 105 2.5 which I kept for quite some time, then sold to go to Pentax MX stuff. Wish I'd kept it all. I bought the FS because it was the least expensive variant (no meter) and I liked my Master V. Now, the FS is worth an arm and a leg because they may so few of 'em.

"I've had a Beseler 4x5 enlarger with Schneider lenses. I recently gave my daughter an Omega B22XL, which she loves. But everyone in the family also has a CoolPix."

I used the Beseler 4x5 enlargers when I was in photography school. I have a B22XL too (in "storage" AKA "somewhere in the barn with my Componons and I hope I can find 'em before it's too late), and an old Elwood 5x7 that does beautiful work (it's a diffusion enlarger with a silvered aspherical dome, a graduated density groundglass diffuser, and an opal glass).

I do hope to put a darkroom up again soon. I bought a PM1a analyzer on ebay for 15 bucks. No more "unicolor grids" for me! :)

My "newest" toys are a couple of Mockbas (a 2 and a 5), and a Kodak Medalist I that I plan on converting to 120 (so I won't have to respool onto 620). The 100 Ektar is widely ack'd as about the best lens ever in that focal length range. (Don't take my word for it, do a web search for medalist ektar 100.) I also like my Minota Autocord (another "sleeper" with an incredible lens), and I will be restoring some Mamiya 3/330 bodies & lenses "at my leisure". :)

Then there's the Feds and Zorkis... (And Nikkormats, an F, an FM, an EL that I'll most likely sell, and another Pentax MX to replace the one I used to use.)

After I get on top of that (and some other stuff I won't bore you with) I'll break out my "new" (never used, pushing 50 yrs) 5x7 B&J Grover. That's when I'll consider myself "serious". :)

72 posted on 03/13/2002 1:37:42 PM PST by Don Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies ]


To: Don Joe
BTW the secret to accumulating good equipment is to buy it broken for pennies on the dollar. :)
73 posted on 03/13/2002 1:57:17 PM PST by Don Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies ]

To: Don Joe
I will be restoring some Mamiya 3/330 bodies

I used a Mamyia C3 in college. We had all the lenses. What a great camera. Nothing much to wear out or break.

Every 20 years or so the Nikon F needs a new foam pad for the mirror. I guess the prism rattles a bit but focusing isn't affected.

77 posted on 03/13/2002 3:38:33 PM PST by js1138
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson