A what would you do thread

andy1868

andy1868

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So i'm racking my brains at the moment on some possible film camera purchases, I have a trip to Prague booked for the end of October and besides from my digital gear i was hoping to take some film gear with me too just for a lark. I'm flying with easyjet that don't have weight allowances on their hand luggage so if it fits in my bag i'm hoping to take it, within reason :lol: The digital gear i'd be hoping to take is in the region of 3kgs, but could be as low as 1.75kgs if i leave my 70-200 behind. Sadly, my Contax G1 and 28mm Biogon was sold last year and would have been ideal for me, but there you go!

Now here are my thoughts, i already have several 35mm cameras in various forms but none of them have wide lenses which would be a shame on account of the architecture in Prague, the widest i have for any of them is 50mm (i'm more of a portraits kinda guy) so i was hoping for some advice on wide lenses for reasonable cost across afew manufacturers. If i list the cameras i have then perhaps you could suggest some nice wide glass for any of them, i don't mind so much which i take :)

Canon AE-1 so FD fitment
Praktica Super TL so M42 fitment
Olympus OM10 so OM fitment

Another train of thought is medium format, as i'm a portrait kinda guy i wouldn't mind pratting with some medium format in the studio and on location and could perhaps justify a purchase for use on the Prague trip. I have a few concerns though, the first being i've never shot medium format before, the second being the increased bulk to take with me on the trip, i don't want an absolutely ridiculous amount to carry otherwise it'll make everything a burden. The third being the increased cost and the fourth being which lens to get for a wide field of view for a reasonable amount? I fear that i'm asking too much on the wide lens front so could perhaps make do with one of the usual 90mm-ish offerings :)

My thoughts on medium format are as follows, buy Steve's Yashica Mat that he has in Classifieds as it would be a cheap way into medium format without a ridiculous weight and worry about angles when i get there. Or try for a Bronica ETRS or perhaps a Mamiya RB67 Pro S and worry about the weight when i get there along with the similar field of view. I'm drawn towards the Yashica or the Mamiya for the 6x6 or 6x7 format as opposed to the 6x4.5 but i don't think that format would be a deal breaker for me!

Sorry for the essay and thanks in advance :)
 
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I would consider a budget wide angle for one of your 35mms.
I have a 28mm for my Nikon FG and its so wide and it cost me about £60

maybe something like a 28-80mm
 
Fits in a coat pocket, weighs less than a lot of slr's, lovely 6 x6 negs and you can probably pick one up for under a ton.

Ross Ensign 12-20

RE-12-20 by andysnapper1, on Flickr

Don't get too hung up on mf, I did to begin with but actually all the same rules apply you just get bigger, better negs.


Ensign11-Tower-Bridge-close by andysnapper1, on Flickr

Andy
 
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While the weight of the RB may not be an issue, the physical size of it might be. I was going to take my RZ on my recent trip to Amsterdam but once I'd laid it in my suitcase (largest size that's accepted for carry-on luggage) with the backs, a lens, a tripod and various bits and pieces, it became clear that I wouldn't have much room for anything else. Of course, you might get away with hand-holding and only taking one back, personally I didn't want to.

In the event, I took my XP1, Agfa Isolette II (a 6x6 folder) and a couple of disposables for the "Behind The Lens" challenge. T'missus took her FG, a 50mm and a 28mm Kiron, which was ample for her needs.
 
some interesting thoughts guys :)

Was yours something like this Dean? :)

7576049778_c790c436cb_z.jpg


That one pictured is actually mine, i've just never used it :lol: i've never shot without a meter before but my trusty sekonic l308 should be okay for incidence. I've also never shot without a focusing screen which might be an issue :lol: Were you happy with the results from yours? I seem to remember reading some reviews when i picked that one up at a car boot for all of £4 and everyone seemed to be leading towards gettting an Ensign or a Zeiss instead so for some reason never thought much of it, along with the focusing matters for me i never used it. Looks like i might have to have a stab with some 120 in that then. I've got til the end of October to have a play with it and see how i like it and for some practise!

I'm still toying with a Canon 28mm 2.8 FD as it's a camera i enjoy using i just don't know if i would get a better quality of picture from the MF stuff :boggle:
 
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That looks nice Andy. Lob a roll in it and see what occurs....whats the worst that could happen :thumbs:
 
There is probably no right answer and it will come down to personal choice but for my 2p woth the RB would be great but do you realise just how big they are and have you already booked your Sherpas for when you get to Czecky:lol:

I have just come back from Berlin, I took 2 film SLRs and my Rollei 6x6, my favourite pictures and shooting expeditions were from the Rollei. Therefore I'd suggest the Yashicamat, nice and compact, fixed lens forces some thought in terms of composition and you can cancel the Sherpas if you have booked them already;)
 
very similar to my zeiss Ikonta M it has an un-coupled rangefinder and it is quite easy to use the shutter speeds are a bit spaced out so you tend to hunt for a sutable F stop sometimes and make one up in between but once i got the hang of it I have a 100% spot on rate with it, best @ F8-F11 is mine. I will be popping it up for sale soon tho as I want to focus on 35mm
 
andy1868 said:
Was yours something like this Dean? <snip pic>
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Very much like that :)

I didn't take a light meter but I carry an Exposure-Mat mini in my wallet. (Link alert, that site uses advertising pop-ups, best to use a browser with an ad blocker.) I used expired Portra 160, rated it at 100 and stuck to f/8 or f/11 and 1/100s or 1/50s speeds, depending on whether the sun was out or behind clouds. I'd suggest sticking with print film for the extra latitude over slide.


andy1868 said:
Were you happy with the results from yours?
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I'll let you know when I get the films back, they only went in the post on Wednesday. ;)

Judging from previous results, the lens is capable of capturing plenty of detail but is susceptible to quite a lot of flare. As for zone focusing, I put infinity on one end of the aperture indicators and left it there.
 
hmmmmm well i think you've all successfully set my mind on MF its just which way to go with it :) i do like 35mm but i don't know if carrying 35mm would make me take anything different to my digital stuff, MF would be 2 completely different styles i feel :)

Unfortunately, i don't have any sherpas available whilst there, my girlfriend will be with me but i sincerely doubt she'll be coerced into carrying any camera equipment :lol: especially anything in region of an RB. Truth be told i don't really need the expense of an RB either, i'm looking at picking up a wide sigma for my nikons too which is more money :lol: the Yashica might be the best thing for me, short of taking the Agfa :)
 
The old ones are quite crisp

 
Andy, I should have said I am not on commision for Steve's Yashica, I am just a real fan of TLR square shooters. PS with my film Nikon SLRs one has a 19-35mm as a permanent fixture, again great for urban work (when my cheapo Cosina behaves)
 
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what would I do ?

Dump the 3kg of digital gear for a start, if you want some digi pics, get a PAS.....for a lark.
Now to the important business.
Dump the misc film cameras and buy a Nikon body to go with your Nikon lenses.
Dump the MF idea, you've already got a digi and film kit.

There.....sorted !

KISS...:)


.
 
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Canon AE1 is my choice why? because not only can you use cheaper FD lenses you can buy a cheap m42 adapter for screw lenses...and not forgetting a Tamron adapter, so you have a great range of lenses to choose from.
I've just come back from Ibiza and took two Canon T70s and with the adapters could have taken an arsenal of lenses but covered everything from moon shots, scenery, close ups, and restaurant shots with M42-35mm Flek and 135mm Sonnar...sigma 24mm superwide II, Kiron 80-200 zoom and Canon 50mm f1.4...mind you I'm a bit in-experienced taking moon shots reflecting over the sea so will be pleased it they come out ok.

Just to add..it was so funny walking around with a zoom on T70 as you get strange looks from people on the beach (as everyone uses a digi compact or phone) and once I was looking for my family at a beach restaurant and everyone look at me and I assume they thought I was Paparazzi looking for celebrities. :)
 
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Ignore all of these 35mm fanboys, they are evil and foolish. MF is the only way, it is the truth, the light and the massive negs.:D
 
Andysnap said:
Ignore all of these 35mm fanboys, they are evil and foolish. MF is the only way, it is the truth, the light and the massive negs.:D
Click to expand...

Ah yes....A good biggun will always beat a good littlun, great for scenery shots and similar....but I wouldn't like the idea of using a RB67 (with flash) in a restaurant of family and for similar shots of the grandchildren playing in the swimming pool or beach.
 
My vote goes for an Olympus OM-1 (not 10) camera with a 28/35mm lens (one of two) and a 50mm lens. An excellent full manual camera.

A Pentax Spotmatic with M42 mount is a good choice for use a large variety of lenses with a good range of prices.

And for FD mount lenses, a Canon FTb camera.

:)
 
ariel7515 said:
My vote goes for an Olympus OM-1 (not 10) camera with a 28/35mm lens (one of two) and a 50mm lens. An excellent full manual camera.

A Pentax Spotmatic with M42 mount is a good choice for use a large variety of lenses with a good range of prices.

And for FD mount lenses, a Canon FTb camera.

:)
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H'mm but Andy has only got:-

Canon AE-1 so FD fitment
Praktica Super TL so M42 fitment
Olympus OM10 so OM fitment

;)
 
excalibur2 said:
Ah yes....A good biggun will always beat a good littlun, great for scenery shots and similar....but I wouldn't like the idea of using a RB67 (with flash) in a restaurant of family and for similar shots of the grandchildren playing in the swimming pool or beach.
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I quite agree Brian, but for a trip to Prague with no rugrats getting in the way a nice MF folder would be perfect.:thumbs:
 
Andysnap said:
I quite agree Brian, but for a trip to Prague with no rugrats getting in the way a nice MF folder would be perfect.:thumbs:
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If you have plenty of time and not rushed I would agree with this 100% the only reason I don't get my Zeiss folder out more often is the setup time for the shot. I am new to film (again) so its still a learning curve, I love the ease the Nikon 35mm manual as in AP mode all I have to realy do is frame, focus and select the Aparture also it drops in a pocket (almost) for me the Nikon FG with 28mm/50mm Series E is almost inner city perfection.
 
I've got Canon FD and Olympus OM versions of 28mm f2.8. They are both good lenses and I can't tell the difference in quality between them. I was going to say that they are both cheap, but the Oly seems to be a bit dear (~£60) on ebay at the moment. I reckon you could get the Canon for £30. If the prices were the same I'd take the OM10 in case it got nicked. Lots of folk hate them because they're made of plastic but I think that they are great value and very small and light.
 
I'm not surprised at Oly lenses holding their price, they're perfect to use on a CSC due to the light weight and great quality. I love the quality of my Canon FD lenses too but they're noticeably larger and heavier; when I went to Amsterdam, it was two of the OM lenses I took as everything was being lugged around in a shoulder bag.
 
folders are easily pocketable, not tooo heavy, everyone loves them, but fairly slow to operate. there are rangefinder ones, otherwise you on guess focusing and thinking, yeaah f8 all i can xD
but there fun
 
Well thanks for all the comments guys, I think it was joxby that influenced me the most though :lol: I'm going to take my Agfa folder and perhaps pick up a cheap 35mm nikon body that I can use my existing lenses on for good measure :) I happened to win a cosina 19-35 on eBay last night so that'll cover the wide angle on the 35mm body, it might even save me buying a wide lens for my digital gear if I only shoot wide on 35mm :) I'm really looking forward to shooting a nice bit of film again, can't beat the smell of opening a fresh box of Velvia :D I was thinking some Velvia 100 or perhaps some Provia 100, I'll be taking my tripod anyway so the slower probably shouldn't be an issue :)

Now all I need to do is pick up a cheap body, I was thinking perhaps an F65 or for abit more an F80 :D
 
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There's a nice F65 in the classifieds at the moment, nothing to do with me, just pointing it out.:D:thumbs:
 
Don't worry I've seen that ;) I'm trying to decide whether I need the 28-80mm lens, for £40 I can have an F80 though which is the way I'm leaning. If I decide I don't need the 28-80 then the F65s are cheap on eBay body only. When the Cosina arrives I'll have that, a 50mm and 70-200 that are FF compatible so not a bad range :)
 
You want a nice F100, that's what you want. Just so happens I know a bloke who's got one that needs to be sold ;)




Erm, for the avoidance of doubt, that bloke's me and I haven't put the ad up yet :)
 
Righto! Well if you let me know how much you're after and supply some pics etc I might be able to save you the hassle :lol: is it a black one or a silver one?

Forgive me, I misread it and thought you put F80 :facepalm: I'll wait for the sale thread with baited breath :)
 
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There's a couple of photos in the new toy thread, URL below but I'm on the phone so I can't do a clever link.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=5308500&postcount=3693

I've used it twice since those pictures and the condition is pretty much the same. I also have a 24-85mm lens to go on it. I'll put a proper sale thread up tomorrow but bear in mind that it's practically mint and will be priced accordingly ;)
 
andy1868 said:
Don't worry I've seen that ;) I'm trying to decide whether I need the 28-80mm lens, for £40 I can have an F80 though which is the way I'm leaning. If I decide I don't need the 28-80 then the F65s are cheap on eBay body only. When the Cosina arrives I'll have that, a 50mm and 70-200 that are FF compatible so not a bad range :)
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yep can verify the F65 is a right nice one I know the owner :D
 
No problem Dean :) I'll keep an eye out for your thread :)

I'm still undecided which body to go for to be honest, but I suppose there's not a massive rush just yet
 
Well, after careful consideration and lots of review reading i've pulled the trigger on a nice Nikon F90 for my film body, it seemed to get rave reviews on autofocus speed and accuracy but also has a flash sync speed of 1/250 which is better than some of the newer models that i was also looking at. Another big thing for me is it's use of AA batteries which are extremely common should i need some more on my travels :D The retro looks have really grown on me too, that bright green LCD :love:

I wait with baited breath for it to arrive, i'm also waiting for my Cosina to arrive but that's coming via Hermes and seems to be taking forever :shake: After searching through my film gear i've found some unused film, some lovely Velvia 100F and some Kodak Professional BW400 :love:
 
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You will soon tire of that crazy auto-focus monster and join the world of finger twiddling manua-lness :lol:
 
andy1868 said:
Well, after careful consideration and lots of review reading i've pulled the trigger on a nice Nikon F90 for my film body, it seemed to get rave reviews on autofocus speed and accuracy but also has a flash sync speed of 1/250 which is better than some of the newer models that i was also looking at. Another big thing for me is it's use of AA batteries which are extremely common should i need some more on my travels :D The retro looks have really grown on me too, that bright green LCD :love:

I wait with baited breath for it to arrive, i'm also waiting for my Cosina to arrive but that's coming via Hermes and seems to be taking forever :shake: After searching through my film gear i've found some unused film, some lovely Velvia 100F and some Kodak Professional BW400 :love:
Click to expand...

When I picked up my Nikon 401, I was surprised how good the AF Sigma 70-210, f4.5-f5.6 zoom was for sharpness..and they go for peanuts. And it would be interesting if I can get the matching Sigma about 28mm-70mm at a bootie for h'mm a fiver.
So if the lens formula/design hasn't changed for later models it might be worth considering as Nikon prices can be high. :shrug:
 
i'll bear that one in mind :) i already have afew FX lenses for my digital gear, a 50mm 1.8 and a Sigma 70-200, along with my new Cosina i should have a good range :) I just want my new stuff to arrive NOW so i can start messing with it :D

Paul, no doubt :lol: apparently the F90 supports gelded lenses so i'll just have to upgrade all my current ones to G lenses :lol:
 
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