DSLR & Film Cameras Latest Topics

Advice sought on next film SLR

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 21:09:05 +0000

Hi everyone,

By means of introduction, my photography journey has been as follows:

1990-2000 - Canon AE-1, A1, 35mm film SLRs, which I adored
2005-2015 - Nikon Professional full frame DSLRs with the amazing ‘holy trinity’ of lenses (14-24mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8) which felt so technically perfect that you wondered whether you were controlling the camera or the camera was controlling you
2015-2023 - Leica M3, Leica MP film rangefinders, beautiful in their own way, but never enjoyed them as much as SLRs

All have been eventually sold.

Next I’m looking for a film SLR - and I’m considering either:

Canon F-1N (i.e. the third generation of F-1, after the F-1 and F-1n)
Nikon FM3a

Both very different cameras, but unique in their own way.

The F1-N, the pinnacle of Canon professional film SLRs, with tank like construction.

The FM3a, the last ever Nikon film SLR.

Both are mechanically quite complex with (different types of) hybrid mechanical/electronic shutters.

Is one going to be more of a problem to own when it comes to longevity, complexity of repair etc.?

Is one much nicer to use than the other?

Has anyone used both regularly who can offer some ideas?

Of course, the answer is to buy both, but in that case, which one should I aim for first?

Thank you, and I appreciate your advice!

Loose Canons

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 15:05:29 +0000

Quality Control Camera with Wifi

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 18:26:16 +0000

Hello. I would in the kitchen cabinetry manufacturing industry. I am looking for guidance on a Quality Control Digital camera with wifi. The goal is to have cabinets photographed at eh end of the production line, prior to packaging, to verify color and consistency. Ideally, the unit would have built in wifi to sync back to server with job information for storage. We are an industry space so either some "hardened" equipment or low purchase cost to make replacements less painful. The dust factor would be the primary concern and of course drops onto high strength concrete.

Could you please make suggestions or pint me in the right direction? Thanks!

Disassembling APO-Telyt-R 180?

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 13:54:38 +0000

Hello,

Posted on the Leica forum about this a while ago but nobody had any advice so trying here as well. I have an APO-Telyt-R 180/3,4 in very good condition and produces some excellent images on my Nikon Z bodies. However the front section is a bit "wobbly" and I'd like to address that issue. I'm thinking that there are screws you can get to from the front somehow, but all I see is a notched retaining ring right by the front element, and the notches are basically covered by another ring above it; this one lacking any notches or other visible means of removal. Have searched for repair/service manuals or part diagrams but no luck so far. Anyone have a diagram over the construction or knowledge as to how it's assembled? The front section that's loose is the last couple of inches or so where two parts of the barrel join together. I can wiggle it and open up around a 1mm gap when doing so which obviously isn't ideal.

Praktica MTL50

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 20:16:56 +0000

Hello everybody.

I was offered a Praktica MTL50 with the shutter locked. Thanks to the abundance of information and help on the internet, I was able to fix it. However, when removing the mirror box I inadvertently disconnected some wires without first noting the positions (typical amateur error). Does anyone happen to have a diagram or photo of the connections? The connections are under the small screw plate inside the battery compartment. Thanks

Fujifilm S2 Pro and Rechargeable Lithium AA Batteries

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 23:08:39 +0000

Gentlepersons, I just got a set of rechargeable lithium AA batteries and figured I'd try them out in the S2 Pro in place of the Ni-MH I have used previously. Then I noticed that the user guide says not to use AA-size lithium. This was 20 years ago. Were they talking about only single-use lithiums? Did they even have rechargeable lithium AA's back then? In short, what would the problem be with these rechargeables? AA batteries are supposed to output 1.5v (more or less) and these lithiums are rated at 1.5v.

I don't want to fry the camera, I just thought that lithiums would perform a bit better than Ni-MH. If anyone else has ever used rechargeable lithiums I would like to hear about their experiance or any other more learned opinions than mine why I shouldn't try this. Like I alluded to earlier, though, better safe than sorry. If there are real concerns I won't risk it.

Thank you for your kind attention!

Grant

1st and 2nd Generation Autofocus Cameras

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:07:32 +0000

The state of the art in 1st and 2nd generation autofocus SLRs

WARNING: Heavy Musing Ahead! If taken internally may cause nausea, headaches, and rashes.

I'm a bachelor, my kid is off to school, and my pets have died. This pretty much defines freedom - as Janis said in "Bobby McGee" (well Kris, but Janis said it better).

Looking back, I am somewhat nonplussed to find that I have got to this stage. It was just one lens to start with. Then ...

Well, anyhow, although my heart may still belong to my beloved DDR cameras (from the "workers' and peasants' state"), I had got interested first of all in the history of EOS Canon cameras. That led to a long chain of reports on the Canon forum and later on Modern Film Cameras. At the very end I have listed links to these 'reports' and the early AF cameras more generally for anyone crazy enough to be interested in the series. I admire our colleague Eric Skopec who has actually published a book on his work with the Canon FD cameras (search for, but a link to Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Manual-Focus-SLRs-Collectors/dp/1463674686 ), but I confess I follow the idea of Ecclesiastes 12:12

"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."

I spent my life in the "publish or perish" environment, and am still working on some professional projects, so I'm keeping my camera work strictly for fun, spiced up with the occasional flame war here on Photo.net. Even more than in academe, the heat of the argument is generally inversely proportional to the actual importance of the subject. ;)

So where are we? "We" assuming that there is anyone still with me on this one.

I have now looked at a lot of old autofocus cameras and the manual cameras that preceded them. I may not have the expertise of Herbert Keppler who was able to say:

"I am not shilling for autofocus camera makers. I'm simply stating my conclusions after having used most manual-focusing cameras for many years on an almost limitless number of subjects. And I've now tried every different AF SLR system with almost every sort of autofocus lens." (Popular Photography 1988-12).

Still if you look at my history of posts here, I think you have to admit I should have some basis for judgment. So what follows here is a short and opinionated discussion (perhaps the actual discussion, unlike the introduction, will be fairly short - you can always hope).

Nikon FG new owner, 35mm lens suggestions?

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 01:08:38 +0000

I was just offered this nikon FG that belonged to an uncle that passed away last year. He bough it in California in the 80's. He was chilean as I am, he just lived in the US for about 20 years.

I'm 46 yo so I know film cameras but I was a canon guy back then, the last film camera I had was a bronica SQ 6x6 in the early 2000. it comes with a zoom which is actually not great but I'd love to add a good 35mm 1.2 or 1.4 if that exist.

Can you recommend 35mm lenses that are the best and would fit this camera?

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Couple of slr film speed rings are very hard to rotate on minolta xg and yashica fr1

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:39:46 +0000

Both Cameras are in excellent condition but lifting these dials io turn them is almost impossible, is it just oiling required or something else?

Thanks 🤨

Which is the recommended adaptor for canon fd to canon eos

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 08:01:19 +0000

Adaptor Needed to use Canon FD 50/1,8 lens on Canon eos 10D, but not one with built in optics. Thanks.

Fuji/Fujifilm?

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 23:10:54 +0000

They do exist......

Film and "natural color"

Wed, 24 May 2023 17:37:50 +0000

Ansco (later GAF) advertised their color films having 'natural color,' which was true enough if you lived in a "world of brown"

After it was gone (1978 or so), its GAF 500 slide film was sometimes described as the "worst slide film ever", but it could get almost impossible images with the right gear>

Here is a picture from inside the Mastaba of Mereruka at Saqqara, Egypt

handheld with 55mm f/1.2 Nikkor

wondering about upgrading

Thu, 11 May 2023 22:30:05 +0000

i currently have a Nikon D5000 with AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6 G ED. i still fairly new but i cant seem to get night shots do i need a new camera or better lens. thanks for all the help in advance

New Pentax Film Cameras?

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 22:41:13 +0000

Maybe. Seems they'll start with a compact P&S and proceed with SLRs if demand warrants. Maybe. Rising film costs and vanishing processing make this a long shot, IMHO. Pass the shochu!

Canon EOS A2E

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 23:04:20 +0000

Still digging this camera. I also have an EOS 3 but it seems to have developed the infamous shutter-magnetic release problem. I'll try banging on the floor a few dozen times to see if I can rescue it.

In the meantime, a few shots from the reliable A2E. This camera has been really reliable and has nearly all the features I need. I wish the eye-controlled focus worked in portrait mode, and I wish it had more focus points. But it's rare to miss focus with this thing.

EF 135mm f/2 + Kodachrome 25 (my very last roll).

Zeiss ZE 35mm f/2, Provia 100.

DSLR Thursday March 30, 2023

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:53:26 +0000

Welcome to DSLR Thursday. Giving this a start here..

Stain at the back of a lens. Fungus?

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 22:07:13 +0000

What is it?

Could it be cleaned?

Does it affect the image?

Canon 650 read the film speed wrong, or did it?

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 04:34:52 +0000

I loaded a roll of 200 ASA Fuj film and the camera read it as ASA 320. I have had this camera since new and it has never got the film speed wrong. I am wondering if it's not the film itself. I can reset the film speed manually but not sure I have too. Anyone seen anything like it?

Any ideas on how to fix sticky/stuck aperture blade on Yashica T3?

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 19:30:07 +0000

I recently purchased this Yashica T3 camera in almost mint condition for more or less current market value. The previous and only owner said they literally only used it once. I popped in a roll, began to shoot, but after about 5 frames with perfect operation, I noticed that the after the 6th shot, one of the camera aperture blades seems to have gotten stuck.

I tried to shake the camera while pressing the shutter in order to see if I could get the blade to be released but it has not worked. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this without a crazy complex disassembly (the shutter assembly seems very difficult to get to - A repair manual can be downloaded here: MEGA)?

Is my Contax T2 dying?

Sat, 05 Sep 2020 14:51:41 +0000

Hi guys,

This week, after months of no photographing activities, I went through my cameras (that I had been keeping away, with no batteries) again. After putting back the battery inside of my Contax T2, when I turned it on I noticed the lens was coming out slightly slower than what it used to. I even tried to compare the process' speed to some Youtube videos. Also, when I turned the camera off, the lens would also go away slower AND make a strange noise after coming back.

I saw that the low battery sign was appearing on the display, so I got a new battery; but what I described above still keeps happening (although, of course, I can't see the low battery sign anymore)!

The camera apparently still works flawlessly; I tried the 2 flash modes and multiple aperture choices (implying, then, in different speeds, which sounds appeared befitting to their numbers), albeit with no film.

Still, I wonder if my Contax T2 is (electronically) dying, or if (trying to be optimistic here lol) there is some sort of internal component misaligned. I haven't found another person on the internet who's had this and came back to say how they fixed it (or if it was even the same problem).

I recorded the turning on and off process and I uploaded the video here: Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Thank you all for helping me!

Aires V-35 Film Selector knob issue

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 23:08:40 +0000

Any hope for my V-35? The Film selector know only works in A (Auto) position. R and D don't click into the required detent position. D position seems to have tension on the knob when trying to turn it all the way. (the release/lock button seems to function) Robert

Replacing Canon A-1 Covering

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 16:10:31 +0000

So I am in the middle of this complete teardown and rebuild of my two A-1s. I suspect the second is joining the 'donor stock' disguised as a shelf queen...

Having custom covered a whole lot of other cameras (RB67, Busch Pressman, Argus C3, Yashicamat) it calls for a new cover! Sadly, it seems that the https://cameraleathers.com site has been "under update" for some time--Wayback Machine says it has not changed since 2019! I have sent an inquiry, but does anyone know if he is still selling?

I see on Fleabay a producer 'Hugostudio' that seems to be making these items also from reclaimed leather. Does anyone know anything about this person?

Puzzled about surface finish on Nikon F-801/N8008

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 11:29:05 +0000

Once again I got one of those highly capable but utterly unloved polycarbonate cameras from the 90's - those that sadly only serves as cheap rear lens caps these days.

The camera is a Nikon F801/N8008 and to my surprise it shows metal under the black surface on the worn edges of the top shell (only the top, not the base or rear film door).

I already own an F-801s and was convinced from touch, look and sound that the outer shell was polycarbonate.

I know Canon went through a lot of trouble adding a chrome layer to the AE-1 polycarbonate top, but that was it order to make it look like silver metal and hide the fact that it was really plastic underneath.

Did Nikon really go through the effort of adding a chrome layer to the black polycarbonate only to give it a final black finish? For what reason?

Or am I wrong, did Nikon actually use metal for the top shell of the F-801?

Minolta Maxxum 7000 Grip Restore

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 03:06:49 +0000

These cameras are notorious for their oxidized grips and battery carrier cover. In severe cases, the grip has already started to crack and chip off. Maxxum is not the only camera that was afflicted by this but for this post, it will do.

In 2022, 3D printing has become more common. I managed to locate the print files for the grip and I had a friend of mine print them.

I removed old residue, sanded excess old glue an installed printed grips with contact cement :).

A refreshed Minolta 7000 with Firetruck Red Grips:

Nikon FG not working in A or P modes

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 21:52:03 +0000

A friend gave me a Nikon FG camera. I cleaned it up and put new batteries and seals in it and got it to work. The problem is that it only works in the Manual Mode. In Auto mode or Program mode the shutter speed does not change. The shutter speed LEDs in the view finder do change but the shutter always fires at the same speed. It sounds like it is stuck on the M90 manual speed. Any ideas what the problem is?