Like old cameras?

Samson · 23-03-2003 12:04am #1

Have a look at this, I found it quite interesting:
http://www.photo.net/equipment/beaters/

DadaKopf · 23-03-2003 10:45am

I've got 2 old cameras - both Lomo. One is a TLR (Lomo Lubitel) a bit like the Rolleiflex but much cheaper. The lens is amazing considering its cost ($45.00). The Lubitel was manufactured in the USSR and was intended to be a cheap, widely available medium format camera.

I find there's a warmth and a quality (or lack thereof) that you get with old cameras that has just been lost today, unless you spend thousands. I personally find precision cameras like Canons, Nikons, Bronicas and Hasselblads too perfect.

DadaKopf · 23-03-2003 1:51pm

Ewww, just bought a Holga. This should be fun.

rob1891 · 23-03-2003 4:41pm

Dada you really need to get yourself to eastern Europe!! I was in Poland a few weeks ago at a Sunday camera market in Warsaw, Lubitels, Kievs, Zorkis, FEDs, everything!! Only had an hour to wander around and not much money to spend

I really should have picked up a medium format.

Bought two LC-As (for friends), not for export models, one communist era model that is really really cool, I can't believe I am going to give it away! 30 euro each, should have done better but no haggling as the market was already an hour closed & the guy selling was well aware that he was doing me a favour.

Kinda makes me sick when I think of the 180 that I spent on the lomographic LC-A .... sorry Dada, I know you got one too!

Canon A-1 is my "new" good camera (it replaces an eos300) ... the lenses I've got for it are so much better than anything I could afford for the eos. I guess the metering might not be as good?

Canonet was my "compact", the LC-A has kind of replaced that. You hardly need to think about bringing the LC-A out it's so small, but the Canonet is just an ickle bit too big, plus I don't want to get it beat up, it's so nice.

There is also an Exacta something-or-other lying around, no metering so I am afraid to use it

DadaKopf · 23-03-2003 5:00pm

Well, I'm heading to Scandanavia in May and possibly making it over to Tallinn or St. Petersburg for a day or two so with a bit of luck I'll manage to find a few camera stalls and I'm definitely packing some camera money. If I found a good condition Flexaret TLR for dead cheap, I'd go for it. FED's are cool.

I'm currently looking for an Agfa Clack. They were on Ebay a while back - not great cameras by any means but they're deadly lookin'!

I'm still pretty sore about the €180 for the LC-A but I really do love it. I've seen the USSR made ones - pretty sweet. My Lubitel has Made in USSR on the lens though

.

Samson · 23-03-2003 6:54pm

Originally posted by rob1891
Canon A-1 is my "new" good camera (it replaces an eos300) ... the lenses I've got for it are so much better than anything I could afford for the eos. I guess the metering might not be as good?

You will be suprised at how well the centre-weighted meter in the A1 performs.

I only ever use slide film and whenever I drag my A1 out of the camera cabinet I'm always delighted with the results.

The only things you really need to bear in mind are to underexpose any predominantly black subjects by about a stop and overexpose about a stop for very bright subjects (eg. someone wearing a white dress) and back lit scenes.
Use the exposure compensation dial.
Bracket.

norma · 27-03-2003 6:16am

I picked up a few old cameras in junk shops about a year ago. I got a Speedgraphic to shoot some 4X5's, and also picked up some old P&S's that take 120 film. I paid no more than $15 for the MF ones.
I really enjoy photographing with these old relics. Here's a snapshot I took last May in Yosemite National Park in California with the Ansco Shur Shot:

It's fixed focus, one shutter speed and has a simple convex lens behind a metal sliding shutter and a dodgy optical viewfinder. But, with 6X6 negatives, the prints look gorgeous. Can't beat that for $15!

norma · 27-03-2003 8:33pm

Duh! That should read "6X7" negatives.

Wook · 31-03-2003 9:52am

heh anyone selling a medium sized camera

?

DadaKopf · 31-03-2003 1:06pm

www.ebay.com

Samson · 31-03-2003 2:35pm

Originally posted by Wook
heh anyone selling a medium sized camera ?

Do you mean a medium format camera?
If so, I might consider letting one of my Bronica (ETRS) medium format bodies go.

Wook · 31-03-2003 2:54pm

yeah medium format ones, any link available for the Bronica ?
guide-price ?

DadaKopf · 31-03-2003 3:07pm

Broncas are just about the cheapest studio standard MF you'll find. Camera Exchange is/was selling one for €850 or so second hand. Alternatively, if you're looking to get into MF at an amateur level (like myself), you should check out the wide range of low-priced TLR's like Seagull, Yashica or Rolleiflex (which is way overpriced). I remember there being a discussion on the www.creativeireland.com board about this very same thing so hop over there.

Wook · 01-04-2003 6:50am

eurgh... 850euro for a second hand one...-burps-
btw, does anyone know a good photography club or school in dublin ? Or know of any good training courses. ( i am currently in the Irish Gallery at temple bar.)

(just from your own experience)

Samson · 01-04-2003 8:43am

€850.00 is not the sort of money I would be looking for, more like €650.00, which is still a lot of money I admit.

However, as DadaKopf says, if you want a cheap introduction to medium format, do consider a Yashica or Seagull TLR.
I would not consider (if I were in your position) a Rollei, as they are not cheap.

My first medium format camera was a Yashica Mat124G, which I still have, it takes great pictures when stopped down to F8 or F11.
TLRs (twin lens reflex) do take a bit of getting used to, due mainly to the reverse image and the fact that you are looking down onto a ground glass viewing screen.
Loading with roll film is also quite a chore, particularly when one is used to the almost drop in nature of most modern 35mm SLRs when loading film.
The square format (6x6) is well suited to portraits, but if your main interest is landscapes, you may find it restrictive.

You could pick up a second hand Yashica for just under £200.00 sterling (approx. €220.00) from the likes of Ffordes.com
https://secure.ffordes.com/Shop/Store/Itemdet.asp?Type=secd&sub=0&Code=YA&SubCode=&id=28466&promo=0

norma · 01-04-2003 4:42pm

Wook,
Here is the website of the Dublin Camera Club:
http://www.irish-photo.com/
Norma.

Samson · 01-04-2003 8:15pm

Originally posted by norma
Wook,
Here is the website of the Dublin Camera Club:
http://www.irish-photo.com/
Norma.

That's actually the IPF site, DCC is www.dublincameraclub.ie

Wook · 02-04-2003 9:25am

those are amazing camera's !
cant wait to get my hands on one of these

FinoBlad · 22-04-2003 12:43pm

IMHO anyone buying a used camera should check Ffordes site first, thay are second to none.

Samson · 22-04-2003 2:28pm

Originally posted by FinoBlad
IMHO anyone buying a used camera should check Ffordes site first, thay are second to none.

I was about to say, finally someone who listens to me.

Could not agree more.

Like old cameras?

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