Analog on Analog

I love macro lenses, especially those that are close to the normal 50mm focal length. It’s great to have a walk around lens on your camera that has the added capability of allowing you to get in close if necessary. I have three macros I just adore; the Leica 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R, Pentax 50mm f/4 Super Macro Takumar and the 55mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor. I think every lens manufacturer offers some sort of macro/micro lens. They are a versatile and fun to use addition to any kit.

On a recent Sunday, I was organizing my photo man cave and got the grand idea to shoot some close ups of some of my gear. I exposed these shots hand held with available light using my Nikon FM2n, 55mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor and some Kodak T-Max 400 film. I could have gotten in tighter and increased sharpness if I had taken the time to use a tripod, but these are still satisfying.

I am not sure why, but my Nikon F4 body attracts dust even when stored in a Pelican case.

My end-of-roll self-portrait, which reminds me which camera and lens I was using. The 55 Micro-Nikkor is a great lens for everyday shooting. It’s fast, small and light. And if you want to blow an afternoon shooting close-ups of your camera gear—it’s the perfect co-conspirator!

Fogdog Blog Fall Preview

Back in the day, the three major television networks made a big deal about all of the new TV shows that debuted each Fall. There would be an official premier week, heavily promoted and much anticipated. I don’t think they do this anymore. In fact, I don’t even know where to find many of the new shows…Hulu? Netflix?

While certainly not as exciting as premier week used to be, here in my little corner of the internet, I present some of the things I’ve got coming up as the seasons change…my Fogdog Blog Fall Preview!

LEICAFLEX SL2: I’ve been on the lookout for a nice Leicaflex SL2 for years now and and finally found one at an affordable price. Affordable because, while cosmetically and mechanically near mint, the meter in this one is inoperative. Don Goldberg of DAG Camera Repair is going to service my SL2 and assures me that the meter will function as designed and with modern batteries. The Leica will get a good cleaning, lubrication and alignment as well.

Leicaflex SL2 with 35-70 f/3.5 Vario-Elmar-R

The SL2 was the last Leicaflex before Leica’s collaboration with Minolta and the R series of SLRs. Some people say the SL2 was the best mechanical SLR ever. “Best” is subjective, but as I played around with this camera before packing it up to send to DAG, I will say that it feels sublime, has a very sweet sounding shutter and an amazing viewfinder! Full review and pictures once Don works his magic.

OLYMPUS ZUIKO 100mm f/2.8: I came across this little OM lens in a camera shop for $25. Couldn’t resist. I don’t think I have ever shot the 100mm focal length before, but I love using my 85s, so this should be fun. All of my OM bodies are now serviced and good to go, so expect to see some shots from this lens soon.

ROLLEIFLEX SL35 E: Several years ago, I picked up a Rollei 50mm f/1.4 Planar QBM mount lens. This lens was designed to work on one of the Rolleiflex SL bodies. I know it’s weird to buy a lens when you don’t have a camera body to mount it on, but the Zeiss designed Rollei Planar is well reviewed and I got it for a steal. I figured eventually I’d find a decent SL body. Decent has been hard to come by. I’ve purchased two off of eBay and neither one worked right. I sold them for parts cameras and came out of both deals pretty good, but it’s kept the lens sitting on the shelf. Recently, I found a decent looking SL35 E on eBay from a trusted seller for under a hundred bucks. The ad says this camera works perfectly. Even if it doesn’t, I know enough camera repair techs now that someone can probably get it working good enough to take the Planar for a test drive.

Rolleiflex SL35 E from the eBay listing.

HASSLEBLAD 500C/M: I enjoy surfing You Tube for film camera experience reports. I came across this young lady with her Hasselblad and it has motivated me to get mine out and do some medium format shooting. I haven’t shot medium format since moving last last year, so it will be fun. I think I’ll shoot black and white.

LEICA R4S MOD-P: I’ve been so busy that I have not had a chance to shoot my Leica R4s MOD-P camera since Sherry Krauter serviced it for me. As I was getting ready to load some film into it awhile back, I noticed that whenever I pushed the shutter release halfway to activate the metering system, the little +/- warning LED would flash like crazy in the viewfinder. The Leica R3 and early production runs of the R4 were known for electronic gremlins. Was this the beginning of the end for my R4? And so soon after a competent CLA?

Leica R4s MOD-P with 50 Summicron

I set the camera aside for a few weeks, frustrated that I’d never be able to shoot the thing. Now, I’ve been fiddling around with old cameras long enough to hardly ever read an owner’s manual, but since this camera came with one, I figured I’d thumb through the pages and see if I could find out what the blinking LED was all about. DUH! If you use exposure compensation, either plus or minus, the +/- LED blinks like mad reminding you that it’s not set to zero! I feel like an idiot. Now, on to shooting this great old Leica!

My Fall preview certainly isn’t Must See TV, but it gives you an idea of what I’ll be up to photographically as the year winds down.

Self Portraits: Volume 2

I started taking mirror self portraits several years ago as a way of keeping track of which camera I was using when I received a roll of film back from the lab. I have never liked photographs of myself, but don’t mind hiding behind a classic film camera.

Olympus OM-2n

Nikon F3HP

Pentax Spotmatic SP

Nikon F100

Leica R6

Canon A-1

Nikon F3HP

Even though I can easily flip my images in post processing, I rarely do. Whenever I post one of these selfies to Facebook, someone will invariably flip the image for me.

Leica R5

Habits are hard to break…even when I shoot digital.

Everything You Need & Nothing You Don't

My collection of old film cameras has settled in at around 30 or 35 I think. Some of those are duplicates. I have at least a half dozen different Pentax Spotmatic cameras, two Pentax MX bodies, a black and chrome Olympus OM-2n and four or five Nikon F2s. My oldest cameras are from the early 1950s and my newest was built in early 2000. The technology represented in my collection ranges from a simple, fixed focus, pre-set aperture box Brownie to the auto-focus, matrix-metered Nikon F100. In between these two, there are cameras with aperture-priority auto exposure, LED readouts in the viewfinder and focus assist.

It’s fun having all of these different cameras on the shelf because I can grab whichever fits my mood for a day of shooting. Lately though, I find myself going back more often to my simple, mechanical cameras. Dials, levers, gears. Lots of metal and glass. And battery power only for the camera’s on board light meter, if there is one. As I look through my images from the past ten years, some of my most satisfying shots have been taken with these simple cameras.

There is something quite wonderful about the feel and sound of mechanical cameras. I think all of us analog shooters geek out over the sound of a nice shutter mechanism, and nothing sounds quite as sublime as the shutters on these old mechanical wonders. 125th of a second seems to resonate best for me—something only a true camera geek would say!

And while I have had several of my electronic film cameras hiccup on me out in the field, none of my mechanical bodies have ever let me down.

If you’re shooting a Canon AE-1 Program, Minolta X-700, Nikon FA or some other auto most everything film camera, you owe it to yourself to try one of these minimalist mechanical wonders. Here are some of my favorites.

Nikon F2

Built by hand and nearly indestructible, the Nikon F2 is a mechanical wonder. The camera offers several metering options by changing prism finders. If you really want to treat yourself, send your F2 over to Sover Wong in the UK for a service and it will come back just like new!

Pentax Spotmatic

The first SLR to offer through the lens metering. These Spotmatics require you to learn stop down metering unless you opt for the F models. And those Takumar lenses are to die for! I had all of my Spotmatics modified with split image focusing screens.

Leica M2

Leica introduced the M2 as a less expensive M3. I’ve owned both and I really prefer the M2’s clean, simple lines. Unless you buy a serviced M2, count on getting it CLA’d at some point. Once that is done, you can shoot this camera forever and ever! Every film photographer should shoot at least one roll in a Leica M.

Minolta SRT303

All of the SRT models are simple mechanical cameras that mount very nice and affordable Rokkor lenses.

Kodak Retina IIc

Besides Instamatics and Brownies, Kodak did make some very fine and very expensive 35mm rangefinders. Even though these Retinas are over 60 years old, they still make amazing pictures. And they feel so good in the hand!

Leica R6

Yes, Leica made SLR cameras too! The R6 and R6.2 were the only full mechanical ones though—think of the R6 as the big brother to the Leica M6TTL. The R system is a very affordable way to try Leica glass

Canon P

One of the biggest surprises in my film camera journey has been this Canon rangefinder. The P is well made, fun to shoot and the Canon screw mount lenses are just awesome! You’ll need a handheld light meter or learn Sunny 16.

Olympus OM-1

Olympus turned heads in 1972 when they introduced the little OM-1. Exceptional build quality and amazing Zuiko lenses make the OM-1 and 1979’s OM-1n must try mechanical cameras. Affordable adapters make batteries a non issue or have it CLA’d and converted to 1.5v.

Nikon FM2n

A mechanical camera with shutter speeds to 1/4000th of second! FM, FM2 and FM2n cameras were back-up bodies for many Nikon pro film photographers because they just keep on shooting no matter what! That’s my prized 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor out front!

Leica M6

Think if it as the M2 with a light meter. I sold this to buy a digital Leica. This is one camera I truly wish I didn't sell. I will have another someday.

Hasselblad 500/cm

Superb build quality and tack sharp Zeiss glass makes the Hassey a mechanical medium format camera you must try. Note: carrying one around all day is a workout! These are big, heavy cameras!

Canon F-1

Besides having one of the sweetest sounding shutters of any 35mm SLR I’ve tried, the Canon F-1’s analog meter display in the viewfinder is pretty cool. And those FD lenses!!

Pentax MX

The MX is the pro model of all of the little M series Pentax bodies (ME, ME Super). Huge viewfinder with a very logical analog display. Fun to shoot, bullet-proof camera with a great selection of K-mount lenses.

Those are my favorite mechanical film cameras. What are yours?