This one will be called "Skeletons from the Closet," meaning that I'll pull out some old favorite cameras from my collection (which literally is stored in a closet) over the coming year. In fact, my plan is to feature a different camera each month. I will write at least two posts on each camera - one introducing the camera of the month, and a follow-up, showing some of the images that I captured, and reviewing my thoughts on using the camera. Since these are film cameras, and I like to mail my film to The Darkroom (thedarkroom.com) for processing, the follow-up will normally come out mid month, the month after I use the camera. So, you can expect the first results around February 15.
To kick it off, for the month of January, I'm going back to where it all started. The Pentax K1000. Not just any K1000, this specific one. My parents bought it for me when I was in sixth grade, which must have been 1977. The K1000 came out in 1976. This camera moved across the country with me multiple times, and finally ended up with an old friend of mine during my 20 year hiatus from serious photography.
A couple of years back, my daughter asked about my first camera. The K1000 was my first serious camera, after a Kodak 126 Instamatic. On a whim, I called up my friend to see if he still had it. Not only did he have it, he was still using it. The meter was not working, but otherwise it was fully functional. I had him send it to me, and sent him an old Ricoh to use instead.
As soon as I got it back, I sent it off to Eric Hendrickson, Pentax Guru, for a CLA. Now it works as well as new. By the way, Eric is a great guy, and if you need a Pentax SLR serviced, you should contact him at pentax27@aol.com
Anyway, here's my first skeleton from the closet for 2013:
I may also shoot with another lens or two, most likely the 135mm f2.5 that I recently picked up for next to nothing.
So, wish me luck on this project! I have some real old beauties in store for the coming months.
DMC-365.blogspot.com
Reed:
ReplyDeleteYou're taking me back. I had - actually still have - my K1000 with the same lenses. Actually had them out just the other day considering whether or not to buy a lens adapter for my G3 and these Pentax mounts. Can't wait to see what you come up with on your trip down "memory lane." Keep up the good work.
Matt K
www.gearguide.info
Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteI have an adapter for Pentax screwmount lenses on my G3. A fast 50mm like the f1.7 makes a killer portrait lens in that configuration. And, the character of the lens comes through on Micro 4/3 pretty well, in my opinion. Give it a try; the adapters are cheap on Amazon.
I'm glad to know that you're looking forward to my results this month!
Reed
DMC-365.blogspot.com
Reed -- I've been feeling more than a little bit sad about neglecting the _many_ fine old film cameras in my closet, and look forward to your explorations here. I, too, had a K1000; it was stolen, and I replaced it with an MX that I still have. The MX needs some attention after so many years in storage, and I will have to contact Erik. Can you say something about your experiences with thedarkroom.com -- turn-around time, quality, etc.? I know you prefer to scan your own, but how are the free scans they provide?
ReplyDeleteHi James,
ReplyDeleteThe Darkroom is great. I mail out from here (prepaid envelopes), they get it in 2-3 days, and a day later the scans are online and the negs and CDs on the way back in the mail. The scans are good enough to see your results, but as you say, I always scan my selections on my own. I wasn't impressed with their more expensive scans, personally, so go for the basics.