Walter Ulreich Shares His Experience Going Back to a Zeiss Folder

 

Old Style, Kyoto, by Reed A. George

Zeiss 521/16 Medium Format Folding Camera

 

I love shooting old cameras. I have a few favorites, one of which is the Zeiss 521/16 folder, with Tessar 75mm f3.5 lens, which I used for the shot above.

 

(Click Here) to read more about this particular camera. This is the one that happened to have an old roll of film still in it, with pictures from JFK's Fourth of July speech in Philadelphia. (Click Here) to read about that roll of found film.

 

So, what made me think about this today? Well, as the post title mentions, Walter Ulreich has made a blog post that shares his experience in going back to a Tessar-equipped Zeiss folder after many years. His test images are quite impressive, certainly worth a look.

 

(Click Here) to go to Walter's post.

 

Amazing what a well-preserved old (very old, near 80 years old) camera can do!

 

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I Like Tea - and Found a Nice New Place to Drink It

I've been on a bit of a tea kick lately. There's so much variety in tea - green, black, fermented (Puerh), and from so many interesting locations. And, I'll admit, I like the more subtle caffeine boost, as compared to coffee (which I still love, too).

 

I also believe that social networking is not the only thing killing real socialization, at least not directly. Where I live (Northern Virginia), now that book, camera, and music stores are a thing of the past, there is a dearth of places for people to meet in person, especially any not associated with drinking alcohol. Well, I found such a place. It's called Ching Ching Cha, and it's located in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC.

 

(Click Here) to go to Ching Ching Cha's website.

 

My wife is from Japan, where public places to meet and have a hot beverage with friends are not rare at all. So, I didn't have a hard time convincing her to go have tea with me. I brought along one of my favorite cameras from the "Skeletons From The Closet" series of last year, the Minolta Autocord medium format TLR. Here are a few images I made there.

 

 

Ching Ching Cha Tea House, by Reed A. George

Minolta Automat, Kodak Porta 400 Film

 

For all but the second image, I used my Rolleinar 1 closeup lenses, which mount to the front of the Autocord lenses perfectly, as the Minolta shares the bayonet filter mount with Rollei Bay 1 cameras. The Rolleinars significantly reduce depth of field, which I must admit was a challenge for me. I didn't exactly nail the focus on the shots of my wife. But, it's pretty close. The big medium format negative is pretty forgiving.

 

I'm glad to know about Ching Ching Cha, and will certainly be a repeat customer.

 

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Medium Format Film - What Are We Chasing With New Cameras?

Shot With ca. 1948-1953 Zeiss Ikonta 521/16 Medium Format Film Camera

 

I read an impassioned post by Peter at "Photographs by Peter," sharing his delight with his first results on black and white medium format film in his Mamiya RZ67.

 

(Click Here) to read his post and see a very nice image he produced.

 

Peter's right, of course. These old cameras and film can produce absolutely wonderful images.

 

However, I'm not so negative about where we're headed now. I simply enjoy both, all of the above, etc.

 

That said, I don't have a digital camera that I'm sure could produce an image like the one above. Not yet. Maybe the M9 could come close.

 

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So, Now That It's Over, What Did I Learn From SFTC?

For the entire year of 2013, I selected a different old camera from my collection and shot it for a month, sharing the results and my thoughts here on DMC-365. So, what did I learn? Well, I learned that I still have a lot to learn, for one thing.

 

A natural outcome of revisiting so many cameras that have been in my camera closet for a long time would be to identify a favorite, or maybe more than one. That happened in some cases. In other cases, more exploration is needed.

 

For example, while I did shoot a few different SLRs (Pentax K1000, Nikomat Ftn, Nikon F2), I have yet to identifiy a favorite. The F2 is certainly up there. But, the K1000 was the camera I learned with, and I still love the Pentax line, including an ME and Spotmatic, which I didn't even include in the SFTC series. And then there's the Nikon FM2. So, no conclusion is possible there, not yet.

 

For twin lens reflexes (TLRs), the same is true. The Minolta Autocord was a wonderful, pleasant surprise.

The Autocord Rocks

 

The Autocord is pure pleasure to look through. But, is it better than my Rolleiflex T? Probably not. I'm still on a quest for the perfect TLR. At this point, I own a few (2 Rolleiflexes, a Rolleicord, the Minolta Autocord, and two Ricohs). They're all f3.5 cameras. I'm thinking that a Rolleiflex with Zeiss Planar f2.8 lens may be the ultimate for me. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my Rolleicord with Rolleikin 35mm insert, and can have lots of fun with my existing TLRs.

 

So, did I learn anything conclusive at all? Yes. In the class of fixed lens 35mm rangefinder cameras, I now have a clear favorite. The Konica S1.6. Absolutely amazing lens. I will never hesitate to grab this camera.

 

The Konica S1.6 is sublime.

 

And, in the medium format (120) folding camera class, the Agfa Record III is the clear winner. Now this is interesting, as the Agfa wins more on features than by standing out from the others in image quality. My Zeiss folders are real optical performers, especially the one with a Tessar lens. The Record III has the gorgeous Solinar lens, which I think matches the Zeiss offerings. But, more importantly, it has a built-in (if uncoupled) rangefinder, and an accessory shoe that I can use to mount an exposure meter. This makes it really easy to use compared to most of my other folders.

 

The Agfa Record III - Most Useable Medium Format Folder

 

So, in addition to having a hell of a lot of fun shooting old cameras, I did learn a few things.

 

I hope my readers picked up an interesting point or two, as well.

 

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SFTC Results - More From December's Nikon F2

I recently posted black and white results from the Nikon F2, a camera that really reminds me what I loved about camera equipment from the very start. Here are some color images (Kodak iso400 print film) from around my home here in Northern Virginia. The weather's been interesting lately, and I hope I captured some of the feel of it.

 

You may recognize this first composition, as I shot it in both color and black and white (see previous post). I strongly prefer the result in color, which surprises me a little.

 

 

Made with the Nikkor 135mm f3.5 pre-AI Lens (one of my favorites)

 

The next two were shot with the Nikkor 200mm f4 pre-AI lens:

 

 

The Old Mill

 

Now for a few shots from Manassas National Battlefield:

 

 

 

The next two are from a quick walk around our "nature walk," a small plot of wetland that one of the local developers set aside and built a boardwalk around:

 

And finally, two shots of my favorite human subject:

 

 

 

And so, this wraps up the results from the SFTC series from 2013. It's been a blast pulling out a different old film camera each month and spending enough time to evaluate its capabilities. I certainly reminded myself of a few old favorites and rediscovered one or two hidden gems that I just hadn't paid attention to lately. You'll be seeing more from some of these cameras in the future, and I have one or two more that didn't make it in the top twelve in 2013. So, stay tuned!

 

By the way, help keep this kind of photography possible - buy film! Support your local (or distant) processors who still provide their critical service!

 

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Results from December's SFTC Camera, the Nikon F2 - in B&W

For my final Skeletons From The Closet selection for 2013, I used the awesome Nikon F2. I purchased this one from KEH for ~$120 in EX condition. It's actually unbelievably close to like new in condition, and I believe an incredible bargain.

 

Here are some of the shots I made with the F2 in December, all on Kodak TMax 400 black and white film. I've noted the lens used where I'm sure I remember it correctly.

 

First, a few from a walk in Washington, DC:

 

 

Made With Nikkor 50mm f1.4 pre-AI Lens

 

Made with the Nikkor 28mm f3.5 pre-AI Lens.

 

 

December was a busy (at work) and cold month here in Virginia, but I did get out for a couple of hikes. The remainder of the images in this post were made on two separate hikes nearby home.

 

 

The preceding four images were made with the 200mm f4 pre-AI lens. I purchased that lens from Camera West for $75 in absolutely beautiful condition.

 

 

 

And finally, a shot I made at a Buddhist temple in Warrenton, Virginia.

Incense, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 pre-AI Lens

 

It is terribly fun to use the F2. I have two of them now, both with the first photomic viewer and meter, the DP-1. I've found that the meter can be a bit unpredictable (and slow to react), so I usually carry a lightmeter along, in my pocket. However, I realized a great improvement in meter performance when I switched to Duracell DL1/3NBPK Ultra Photo Lithium/Manganese Dioxide batteries (see link to purchase them at Amazon below). These batteries are designed for camera systems, and really seem to put out a more consistent voltage than alkalines, especially as they age.

 

The F2 handles like a dream to me. I love using manual focus lenses. Since the F2 is designed for pre-AI lenses, I've gotten to explore several inexpensive yet well-preserved lenses for very low cost. And the results are spectacular in my opinion.

 

I do find myself considering the purchase of the new Nikon Df, which will work with essentially all of the historic Nikon lenses, including Pre-AI. However, similar to my Monochrom(e) experiments using the Leica M4-2 film camera, I have plenty to shoot with the F2. I'll keep using this camera into 2014.

 

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SFTC Results - December's Camera, the Nikon F2

Today I'll share some images with my new Nikon F2 Photomic, which I bought from KEH for $120. It's in amazing condition, very close to like new in my opinion. For these shots, I used one of Nikon's least-loved lenses, the 43-86mm f3.5 zoom.

 

(Click Here) to see the post introducing this month's camera.

 

I mean, people HATE this lens. Many call it Nikon's worst lens, and blame this lens specifically for the long-standing belief (fact) that prime lenses provide far superior image quality to zooms. You can find plenty of haters of this lens online with a simple google search. Mine also came from KEH, for the princely sum of $30, and also looks brand new.

 

Anyway, here are some shots, all made on Kodak 400 color print film.

 

Lounging, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

 

Now, the shot above isn't tack sharp, but I think it works well at presenting skin tones, and is perhaps appropriate for portraits (which don't need every blemish to show up in sharp relief).

 

Here are a couple at the long end of the zoom, which are also a little soft:

 

Winter Leaves, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

 

And here are two below that show just how sharp the 43-86mm f3.5 can be at middle(ish) focal lengths. I've applied sharpening in Lightroom to both images, but not to an extreme level (maybe a little more than I usually apply with other lenses, but not significantly more).

 

Dragon, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

 

Bell Detail, by Reed A. George

Nikon F2, Nikkor 43-86mm f3.5 Zoom Lens

I can't find anything to complain about here. Especially when you consider that this combination of the pro-level camera and "kit zoom" of the past, which commanded very high prices in its day, is mine for $150 total. Amazing capability. When I was a kid, I lusted over a camera like this. Now, they're available for very low investment, if you're willing to deal with film. I am.

 

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Thinking About My 2014 Plan for DMC-365

Autumn Abstract, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7, 14-42mm Series II Kit Zoom at 42mm

iso 200, f20, 1/2 second

 

I've mentioned a few times lately that I'm considering my strategy for this blog in the upcoming year (2014). I know that I want to stay with the core focus of the interface between photographic equipment, technique, and creativity. Beyond that, I'm largely undecided.

 

One thing is for sure - it's a tough assignment to write each and every day. For a one-person operation like DMC-365, that means I'm up every morning, drinking my coffee and thinking what to write about today. On one hand, I love the discipline and the motivation to see everything new out their in the exciting world of photography. I also know from my initial research into how to run a blog that frequent posting is a must for survival (many "pros" post multiple times daily). I have seen that there are tons of potentially interesting blogs out there that completely fail because they haven't been updated for a month.

 

This morning, I read an interesting post by David Hobby of the blog Strobist. He and fellow photography internet personality Zack Arias are both working toward what they refer to as "Low Frequency High Amplitude" posting. By this, they mean fewer posts, but more impact, more depth with the posts they do make.

 

(Click Here) to read David's post on Strobist.

 

In his post, David says he is considering going to lower frequency than two posts per week. Strobist is very well-established, so maybe it can take that. I believe one post per week would be the death of my blog, both because my readers expect news more often than that, and because I would almost surely lose interest myself.

 

I would enjoy going deeper into some subjects, and will. For example, I've really enjoyed doing my two monthly columns this year - Whole Lotta Leica and Skeletons From The Closet. I think that I'll likely select a smaller number of cameras and lenses next year and use them more often. A month seems like a long time to spend with one camera, but it's not. Especially when photography is not your occupation (my real job is reasonably demanding, so I shoot mostly on weekends). In fact, the Skeletons project for 2013 has helped me to identify a few cameras that I really want to spend more time with.

 

So, my current thinking is that I'll continue to post at fairly high frequency (perhaps not every single day) in 2014, but will try to add in more depth at some lower frequency. In the end, it's variety that's the spice of life. To take the frequency/amplitude analogy further, most of us like to hear all of the frequencies (tones) in the music we listen to. We do want the beautiful high frequency vocals and lead guitar, but we also want solid, warm bass tones to anchor it all.

 

Of course, I'm open to my readers' opinions. Drop me a line or comment!

 

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Another Set of Pics From November's SFTC Camera - Ricoh 500G 35mm Rangefinder

We're well into December, and the final month of Skeletons From The Closet (SFTC), a series I ran throughout 2014 where I take out and shoot a different old camera from my collection each month. I will be posting the December camera selection soon.

 

November's SFTC camera was the Ricoh 500G. (Click Here) to read my introductory post on the the camera. And (Click Here) to see the first set of results, some street photographs from NYC.

 

And now for some very different results - not from the city but from a hike in the Virginia hills. These were all shot on a single hike, using iso 400 print film.

 

 

 

The place I hiked, Beverley Mill, has a couple of old rural cemeteries on its trails. I found this one (Dawson cemetery) on this, my first hike in the area:

 

 

It's crazy how the tree grew around the single headstone. It's a pretty lonely place.

 

I love the light on the tree in this shot below:

 

The little Ricoh 500G rangefinder makes a very good hiking camera. It's tiny, and produces decent images. No frills, but it is easy to throw in a backpack, and is extremely light weight.

 

I hope you've enjoyed SFTC and the results from this unsuspecting little camera.

 

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