- Location
- Cheshire, England
- Name
- Martin Connolly
I’d quite like the Ricoh 500G I had until its shutter button broke. That was a really cool little camera. Now they’re stupid prices so replacing it would be tricky.
I’d quite like the Ricoh 500G I had until its shutter button broke. That was a really cool little camera. Now they’re stupid prices so replacing it would be tricky.
Yeah...I think the little mushroom-shaped piece was intact, but something had broken below it, and trying to dismantle the camera to figure out the problem was really fiddly. I gave up, reluctantly.I hoped that advances and accessibility with home 3D printing technology would make it easier to replace little parts like these.
Pentax SP500 - but it would need to be serviced.
I used it - almost - exclusively for about 30 years.
In that time I also used an Agfa 110 compact and a polaroid (don't remember the exact type of either one)
I said the M6 before, but I've still never touched one. Every time this thread pops backup I ask myself the question again, and really maybe I haven't come across a film camera I've bonded with quite enough to answer this question. Which is too bad, as I love shooting film.
1. It needs to be small, easily carried.
2. It needs to have a large and bright viewfinder.
3. It needs a focusing mechanism, no scale focus for a one-and-only camera.
4. Either interchangeable lenses or something close to 40mm.
5. Wide exposure parameters with settings.
That's all I can think of right now. I have had some SLRs, but I should really try some of the relatively tiny Pentax models, maybe there's an SLR out there that's small and light enough, with a good enough viewfinder, to fit my requirements.
The Voïgtlander Bessa-T with 35mm f2.5 and a Ricoh 500G are my current film shooters. I really enjoy both of them, but wouldn't call either one perfect. The 500G doesn't have a focus tab and the focus ring is small and just a little stiff, and the VF isn't very bright if the light drops. The Bessa-T has a separate rangefinder window and requires you add accessory finders for your lenses. On the positive side, the rangefinder is without doubt the best I've ever seen - it's a whole dedicated, 1.5x magnified window you can use in nearly any light with no problem. But accessory finders are expensive.What is your current go-to?
The Voïgtlander Bessa-T with 35mm f2.5 and a Ricoh 500G are my current film shooters. I really enjoy both of them, but wouldn't call either one perfect. The 500G doesn't have a focus tab and the focus ring is small and just a little stiff, and the VF isn't very bright if the light drops. The Bessa-T has a separate rangefinder window and requires you add accessory finders for your lenses. On the positive side, the rangefinder is without doubt the best I've ever seen - it's a whole dedicated, 1.5x magnified window you can use in nearly any light with no problem. But accessory finders are expensive.
The Bessa is so fast and easy to use, especially when zone focusing on the street, that I don't think I want to part with it. The meter is mounted on the back, visible from the top, so you can survey the shutter dial, the aperture, the focus scale and the meter all at a glance. So handy! Then just bring the finder to my eye and shoot. It's discreet, except the shutter is quite loud, so there's always a chance someone will take offense, though no one has yet. It's charming looking, so it's non-threatening.
If someone took away all cameras and lenses forever, though, I could get by with the Bessa-T and the 35 Skopar.
I think one of the other Bessa models might be better for an everything camera by reason of the rangefinder being integrated into the viewfinder... The T is excellent for the purpose to which I usually apply it - street photography in daylight - but slows down considerably when you want to focus each shot, since you have to move up and to the right to frame after focusing. Actually the Cosina made Zeiss Ikon M-mount body might be perfect. It's beautiful as well.
I haven't been able to get my hands on a Hassie with a waist-level finder, but one of those might well charm the socks off me if I were to try it out.
5x7 Deardorff with Ilford FP4+ film, 90, 150, 210, 300, 500 tele and 720 tele for it.
I tried the light meter app on my phone but it just runs down my phone battery so last week I bought a vintage Sekonic light meter from the camera shop. Gotta learn how to use it. But it's still a big step to independently meter the light and then pick up the camera to take a shot. I think this is going to have to be something I need to get used to.
That is good to know about film being forgiving.
I am currently sending my film away to be developed. I'm trying to learn how to scan and post-process them myself. I have a ton of developed film that I haven't figured out how to scan yet.
I bought an auxiliary Battery with a USB outlet for my Wife- allows you to charge the phone, she can keep in her purse.
I turn my Cellular Telephony Device on when I need to make an outgoing phone call. Have never had the battery run down in 7 years of owning it. Too bad the 3G network is going off-line. The phone company sent me a new Flip-Phone.