Went into a charity shop with £15, left with the following? Good haul?

farrance

farrance

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Pretty much as the title reads! What do think of it all? What should I do with it?

I'm quite perplexed by film photography, it's so interesting but alot more time consuming.. and expensive! I went into ASDA today and a roll of cheapo boggo film was £5!!!

Here's an equipment list!

6979912495_622fa8cb63_z.jpg


1x Pentax Spotmatic F with 20 exposures left in the roll!
1x Pentax 55mm f/1.8 lens
1x Pentax 135mm f/2.8 lens - Has some type of glue substance over the focusing barrel. Any ideas on a SAFE way to remove it?
1x Helios 28mm f/2.8 lens!
1x Sunpak Mx130 TTL flash (which works perfectly with my 500D and is more powerful than the sun)

1x Halina 35x 35mm Camera
1x Halina Slide Viewer
1x Tripod - A name or distinguishable mark is not apparent. Insanely well engineered however, I'm VERY impressed with this.

Also came with a couple of filters and the original carry cases that follow the shape and body of the camera.

Any ideas, opinions or thoughts? I'm thinking of keeping the Halina for decorative!
 
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£15 for that lot...absolute bargain!
 
farrance said:
I'm quite perplexed by film photography, it's so interesting but alot more time consuming.. and expensive! I went into ASDA today and a roll of cheapo boggo film was £5!!!
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For film try your local Poundland, they have Kodak 200 24 exposure on sale.
 
The MX-130 is rated as NOT safe for modern DSLRs with a measured trigger voltage of 190V! - source

Step away from that flash.. ..

That tripod looks nice.. I shouldn't mention what I've done to a vintage tripod in the past..
 
The Pentax is a very nice camera IMHO... I miss mine, sold it for about £35 IIRC and wish I hadn't!
 
I still have my Halina 35X, it was my first 35mm camera I'd been saving up for 18months when I was at school to get my first 35mm, later replaced with an Olympus OM1n, before going digital in 2006 with a Canon 350D
 
Alastair said:
The MX-130 is rated as NOT safe for modern DSLRs with a measured trigger voltage of 190V! - source

Step away from that flash.. ..
Click to expand...

Except for the fact that Canon USA stated some time ago that their max trigger voltage was now 250V (with the release of the 350D)

Chuck Westfall, Director/Media & Customer Relationship, Canon USA, advises as follows regarding the flash sync circuit of the EOS Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D):
*****
The EOS Digital Rebel XT uses a modified version of the EOS 20D's shutter unit. Consequently, acceptable trigger circuit voltage for both cameras is the same, i.e., 250 volts. Except for the original Digital Rebel, all current EOS digital SLRs (i.e., EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS 20D and EOS Digital Rebel XT) generate their X-sync signals electronically rather than mechanically. This is why they have higher acceptable trigger circuit voltage ratings than earlier models like the D30, D60, 10D and original Digital Rebel. These older models cannot be modified to achieve a higher trigger circuit voltage rating, since such a modification would require a different shutter mechanism as well as a complete redesign of the supporting circuitry.
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That's quite a collection, I was under the impression that charity shops were becoming quite clued up about photo gear and bargains like this were a thing of the past.
Well spotted!


artyman said:
I still have my Halina 35X, it was my first 35mm camera I'd been saving up for 18months when I was at school to get my first 35mm, later replaced with an Olympus OM1n, before going digital in 2006 with a Canon 350D
Click to expand...
When I was a schoolboy I lusted after a 35x ( and a frog-eye Sprite).
Never managed to get either of them!
 
Alastair said:
The MX-130 is rated as NOT safe for modern DSLRs with a measured trigger voltage of 190V! - source

Step away from that flash.. ..

That tripod looks nice.. I shouldn't mention what I've done to a vintage tripod in the past..
Click to expand...

ADVICE WONDERFULLY TAKEN.. Jesus christ.. I didn't realise that!! I tried taking a picture on it last night, settings had to be f22, Shutter Speed: 1/750, Exposure Comp -2!!

Thanks!
 
Houston1863 said:
A good haul I'd say Alex. As Tony B suggested, the Spotmatic F could pleasantly surprise you on EBay.

Can't help with the glue substance without seeing it. Any pictures friend? I'm sure members here will be able to come up with suggestions.
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I'll upload a few pictures in a few minutes!
 
Houston1863 said:
A good haul I'd say Alex. As Tony B suggested, the Spotmatic F could pleasantly surprise you on EBay.

Can't help with the glue substance without seeing it. Any pictures friend? I'm sure members here will be able to come up with suggestions.
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haul-2.jpg


Any ideas?
 
The construction and mechanism of the 35x is brilliant. The only bad thing is the lens dials like aperture and focus etc are stiff. Thats the only thing that is wrong! It loads film fine, takes exposures just fine!
 
Good haul, your tripod looks like a lighting or background stand.

Well spent 15 quid
 
footman said:
That's quite a collection, I was under the impression that charity shops were becoming quite clued up about photo gear and bargains like this were a thing of the past.
Well spotted!



When I was a schoolboy I lusted after a 35x ( and a frog-eye Sprite).
Never managed to get either of them!
Click to expand...

Ah well, I've never got my hands on the TR4a or TR5 I fancied, let alone the DB5. :)

Our local charity shops are a waste of time for photographic gear. Very overpriced (£40 for an Instamatic?), because these 'old cameras are valuable now'.
 
MartynK said:
Very overpriced (£40 for an Instamatic?), because these 'old cameras are valuable now'.
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What instamatic do they reckon they would get £40 for?
I have lots of old cameras, some very old but even many of the folders would struggle to pull equivalent to £40 let alone an instamatic.....perhaps the charity shop in question is hoping someone into present "retro style" will be willing to pay a price like that for fashionable purposes??

Edit:as for the sticky mess, i would suggest some simple mild detergent on a damp ( not wet) cloth with a view to wipe a tiny bit, dry off with another cloth then wipe a bit more and so on....laborious but something to do on a rainy day! lol
 
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Looks like someone has made a right hash of re-fixing or replacing the rubber grip, going by the photo I'd rip it off and bin it, replace it with new or some nice leather
 
SussexBlue said:
Looks like someone has made a right hash of re-fixing or replacing the rubber grip, going by the photo I'd rip it off and bin it, replace it with new or some nice leather
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Ah, I miss read it as just some kind of sticky gluey mess hence suggesting detergent...If it is hardened glue then I'm not so sure.....I know there are products that will break down such as threadlock but not sure if they would have a detrimental effect on the lens barrell
 
A really good deal for that price - its less than £2 per item!

A Halina 35X was my first camera too; also had a Spotmatic some years later.

Dave
 
Its not hardened glue at all! It's sticky! The substance is on the edges of the focus grip but the grip itself isn't moving! The lens feels bulletproof!
 
I'd have a go with IPA/Propanol/cheap gin on the sticky goop, it looks a bit like a foam that has decomposed into a sticky mess.

If you have a canon camera get an EOS to M42 adapter and use the lenses, then once you have got to grips with the focussing try the spotmatic F (its a lovely retro SLR if you want to do B&W photography)
 
Asha said:
What instamatic do they reckon they would get £40 for?
I have lots of old cameras, some very old but even many of the folders would struggle to pull equivalent to £40 let alone an instamatic.....perhaps the charity shop in question is hoping someone into present "retro style" will be willing to pay a price like that for fashionable purposes??
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One of the old Kodak models everyone had in the late 60s, I'm not sure which one. I saw it last year, but didn't pay that much attention. Any photographic stuff they get in is ridiculously overpriced. I think people must have been checking the charity shops asking about 'old' cameras and they got the wrong idea, or someone told them these could be worth money, or perhaps they're just clueless?
 
puggie said:
I'd have a go with IPA/Propanol/cheap gin on the sticky goop, it looks a bit like a foam that has decomposed into a sticky mess.

If you have a canon camera get an EOS to M42 adapter and use the lenses, then once you have got to grips with the focussing try the spotmatic F (its a lovely retro SLR if you want to do B&W photography)
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Seen a nice adapter on Amazon for £5. I think I'm gonna go for it!

Are you sure thats not going to damage the lens in any way? I'm quite worried about doing any damage to it as all of the lenses are in such an incredible condition!
 
the old Takumar lenses are pretty bomb proof, I'l probably draw the line at acetone or celly thinners but IPA should be fine on there IMHO, just start gently with a bit on a rag/kitchen roll and try and wipe off the gunk.

get the adapter, that 135mm will be sharp as hell from about f4 and pretty damn good up to there.

EDIT: Don't ebay the spotmatic until you have used it a bit, they have a certain tactile something that you just don;t get with a canon digital, if you get on the the MF lenses then you should try film ;)
 
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The Helios is a very nice lens and don't dismiss the 55mm either - you've scored a very nice set of equipment!

Is the 135mm an actual Takumar lens or is it a third party one? If it's a genuine Tak, then clean it up and use it along with the other lenses!

Oh, and if you do want to play with film, the Spotmatic will be a very nice body to get used to!

Frankly, I'm jealous ;)
 
Are you sure that the sticky stuff is glue? Looks and sounds like (from you saying it is still sticky) it could be the rubber trim perishing/disintegrating to me - or some glue/solvent that has dissolved the rubber.
 
puggie said:
the old Takumar lenses are pretty bomb proof, I'l probably draw the line at acetone or celly thinners but IPA should be fine on there IMHO, just start gently with a bit on a rag/kitchen roll and try and wipe off the gunk.

get the adapter, that 135mm will be sharp as hell from about f4 and pretty damn good up to there.

EDIT: Don't ebay the spotmatic until you have used it a bit, they have a certain tactile something that you just don;t get with a canon digital, if you get on the the MF lenses then you should try film ;)
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I shall do! Thanks!
 
Cuchulainn said:
The Helios is a very nice lens and don't dismiss the 55mm either - you've scored a very nice set of equipment!

Is the 135mm an actual Takumar lens or is it a third party one? If it's a genuine Tak, then clean it up and use it along with the other lenses!

Oh, and if you do want to play with film, the Spotmatic will be a very nice body to get used to!

Frankly, I'm jealous ;)
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I'm not sure actually. I think it's a Chinon. The front element says AUTO CHINON 1:2.8 f=135mm 506958 CHINON IND., INC. JAPAN.

Must be third party then! Has a really nifty built in hood that I love haha.
 
weybourne said:
Are you sure that the sticky stuff is glue? Looks and sounds like (from you saying it is still sticky) it could be the rubber trim perishing/disintegrating to me - or some glue/solvent that has dissolved the rubber.
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I'm pretty sure it is. It might be some other type of substance that has been spilt on it. It's been in a carrying case (that I also have) for the majority of it's life so I can only assume so. It does come off if I wipe or pick it off with my hands, I'm just wondering if there is any way of cleaning it in order to get it off faster! The stickyness is rather annoying!
 
Ahh, there's a review of the PK mount version of the Chinon here. It looks pretty decent!

Definitely don't get rid of the 55mm until you've properly played with it - I have the f2 version which is the same lens, but with an extra piece of metal in it to stop the aperture down from 1.8 to 2 (Pentax was always a quirky company!) and it's a fantastic little lens to use. Great fun!
 
I've cleaned off the 135mm and it's all nice and shiny now!

Also M42 mount ordered! :D
 
Alastair said:
The MX-130 is rated as NOT safe for modern DSLRs with a measured trigger voltage of 190V! - source

Step away from that flash.. ..

That tripod looks nice.. I shouldn't mention what I've done to a vintage tripod in the past..
Click to expand...

Whatever turns you on Alastair! :eek::exit:


:lol:
 
And if any of those M42 lenses say SMC Takumar or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar on them then you can use them with the open aperture metering facility on the Spotmatic F so you don't have to stop them down with the depth of field preview lever to meter. The 55mm f1.8 is likely one as it was the standard lens for a Spotmatic F, its a very nice sharp lens which is superbly built (my favourite lens on my Spotmatic F).
 
s162216 said:
And if any of those M42 lenses say SMC Takumar or Super-Multi-Coated Takumar on them then you can use them with the open aperture metering facility on the Spotmatic F so you don't have to stop them down with the depth of field preview lever to meter. The 55mm f1.8 is likely one as it was the standard lens for a Spotmatic F, its a very nice sharp lens which is superbly built (my favourite lens on my Spotmatic F).
Click to expand...

The 55mm does! Neither of the others do though!

I'm actually planning on plonking one of these lenses onto my 500D. Does anyone know of the crop factor? Whether a 28mm, 55mm or 135mm turns into anything else in the way my 50mm turns into a 80mm with my camera?
 
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