by johanniels.com
Anything that is a ‘full frame’ or smaller film or digital camera, goes into this category
Black and white photography is about contrast with me. Sure I like nice grays in an image but certainly not too much. I need whites and blacks. Recently I lucked into a stash of perforated 35mm Fomamures microfilm and set to shooting it in a Leica IIIc. Let me tell you the story and show you the shots.
Continue reading “shooting microfilm in a Leica IIIc”
Only a couple of years ago, the Japan Camera Hunter cases for 35mm and 120 film were a big hit online and for months on end they were sold out. Now, Kodak offers their version of 5-film containers for the 35mm format only. Continue reading “Kodak film cases re-issued”
The Pentax K1000 (and similar models like KM and KX) has been the cornerstone of many a photographer’s education. These cameras are versatile, sturdy, easy to use for beginners and pros alike. The full manual control is a key factor to understanding how your choices when shooting relate to the results you get. The only ‘automation’ in those cameras is the exposure meter.
The Olympus 35RC is deceptively similar to other cameras of the early 1970s, at first glance. It has a 40mm 2.8 lens and as such is similar to a Ricoh 500G, several Konica and Minolta models (those were two separate companies back then), and a plethora of zone focus cameras. But, the 35RC has full manual override of all settings and that quickly made it a beloved photographers camera. A position it has kept for decades.
Continue reading “The Olympus 35RC, a sweet little rangefinder (1970)”
The Ricoh Caddy was Ricoh’s most accomplished half frame camera ever. Not that they built so many, but they got it right pretty quick. It has full manual settings, a Tomioka lens and the ergonomics are truly excellent. And to boot, it fits in your jeans pocket. Although it should be treated with a bit more respect because of what it is and what it delivers!
Continue reading “The Ricoh Caddy half frame camera is quite a handful”
Some say that the Minolta 7S is lacking. It must be, since there’s a Minolta 7S-II, right? And in the eyes of many, newer is better so a model II should have improvements.
But I’m telling you, the Minolta 7S is the most complete rangefinder I ever encountered. It fits my bill 100% and to me it’s the all-in-one rangefinder camera!
Continue reading “Minolta Hi-Matic 7S, the all-in-one rangefinder”
While I truly enjoy my screw mount Leicas, it took me a long time to find their SLR counterpart. While essentially it really shouldn’t have been that hard, once you think about it.
I know Leica built some truly terrific early Leicaflexes, but they are more related to the M series rangefinders than to the earlier screw mount cameras.
Same time, the Russians copied the early Leica II and went on from there to produce a Single Lens Reflex camera. Enter the Zenit line of SLR cameras from the early 1960s! Incredible fun for petty cash!
Continue reading “Priceless fun with cheap gear: the Zenit 3M”
Tamron Adaptall lenses were at one time the bee’s knees of amateur photographer’s kits. They are fun to shoot today and can be had for a song, while performance can be excellent!
Continue reading “Shooting vintage Tamron Adaptall lenses on modern digital cameras”
This article contains a list of the screw mount Leica models, from the early 1913 Ur-Leica to the Leica Ig from 1960, the last screw mount model. Brief descriptions and images from official Leitz brochures are included.
A parcel from Berlin today brought a remarkable Leica III with even remarkable Elmar 5cm 3.5 lens, and a chrome VIDOM viewfinder. It has a 5-digit serial number and was made in 1928!
Continue reading “An early Leica I converted to a III”