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I realize now putting it on its lens for the last photo was a stupid idea, I'm sorry. At least the chair's padded though.
Either way, this is the Russian camera I was talking about. I've got no clue how to work any of it, I don't have a flash bulb for it, I've got no idea what kind of pictures (B&W or colour) it takes, nor what quality, especially with that lens. I've also got no clue how to remove the lens, or how to put film in it, nor what kind of film it takes. I know most of this could probably be found with a quick google search, but this camera's likely from '49, and it belonged to my grandfather, I don't want to lose it/get it stolen trying to get shots with it to test it out. I also don't want to drop a bunch of cash on getting it working/restored/finding a decent lens for it. I mostly just thought FP would find it interesting.
I'm not guaranteeing anything, but I'm also interested in what kind of photos/the quality of photos this camera takes, I may look into it sometime during the summer, and try it if it doesn't cost a lot.
Thank God my parents have a decent Sony CyberShot point-and-click, else pics this close and of this quality wouldn't be possible.
[QUOTE=DaCommie1;30643087]I realize now putting it on its lens for the last photo was a stupid idea, I'm sorry. At least the chair's padded though.
Either way, this is the Russian camera I was talking about. I've got no clue how to work any of it, I don't have a flash bulb for it, I've got no idea what kind of pictures (B&W or colour) it takes, nor what quality, especially with that lens. I've also got no clue how to remove the lens, or how to put film in it, nor what kind of film it takes. I know most of this could probably be found with a quick google search, but this camera's likely from '49, and it belonged to my grandfather, I don't want to lose it/get it stolen trying to get shots with it to test it out. I also don't want to drop a bunch of cash on getting it working/restored/finding a decent lens for it. I mostly just thought FP would find it interesting.
I'm not guaranteeing anything, but I'm also interested in what kind of photos/the quality of photos this camera takes, I may look into it sometime during the summer, and try it if it doesn't cost a lot.[/QUOTE]
Ooh, a wonderful little camera. Basically, it's a (I think) FED 1, made between 1934-1955. It's a mass production copy of the more pro 'Leica' series of cameras, and the first in a long long line of Zenit brand cameras. It uses 35mm film and uses an M39 'screw' fitting. Basically, to take the lens off you unscrew it - like a bottle top.
You see that semicircle/circle to the left of your last picture? You pull that down to open the back to insert a roll. It can use colour and B&W, since it's the same process, with any 35mm film available today.
Unfortunately, (or in your case rather, fortunately) it's not worth a great deal, and film cameras are pretty much seen as worthless in criminal eyes - so taking it out for a spin won't hurt you. The lenses, however, should be pretty plentiful and not too expensive, perhaps between £20-40 for an average M39 lens. Google should even be able to provide you with the original manual if you look hard enough, as plenty were made and it was quite a popular camera.
The image quality should be very nice if you like that classic B&W film look (Since the quality of the lens and film is more important than the body). I can't vouch for that though, since the lens may be moldy. Still, learn about film cameras by borrowing a book from your library, clean it out, give it a dust, and then it's definitely worth putting a roll in and taking some test shots. If the inner workings are fine, it shouldn't cost you anything to get it back to working condition, except a little bit of tender loving care.
Gorgeous, gorgeous camera. A genuine classic. I wish you were selling.
I figured out how to get the lens off, and that I have a "collapsible" lens, I can pull it out of the body a bit. Looking at the innards some of them look a little worse for wear, but the camera does something when I turn some knobs and press the shutter button, so I think it'll work if I figure enough of it out. I found out the lens was just dirty, I wiped it off a little and it seems clearer, though there's some internal dirt I can't get out.
I also found out it needs something called a "Leica style leader" that is apparently 18mm-22mm wide, and I think it's supposed to be attached to the end of the film spool. I'm still not quite sure how to load this camera properly, but I found a few guides about the camera that have been helping me a bit, and a youtube video that was pretty useful in helping me figure out a little bit about how the shutter works, I think, and how to remove the lens.
Here are the guides:
[url]http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/fed1zorki1.html[/url]
[url]http://sovietcamera.110mb.com/fed1/[/url]
[url]http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/leicaleader.html[/url] -Describes that "Leica leader" I mentioned
[url]http://www.fedka.com//Useful_info/leicaload.jpg[/url] Unfortunately, the illustrations don't help me much.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYgHj-A7bno[/url]
Sounds to me that you're on to a great start!
I mentioned this stuff to my dad, he thought it was a genuine Leica, he was a little disappointed. I found out he's actually used the camera before, so I'm gonna bother him to see if he can explain it to me and help me get it working again. I know we have at least 1 roll of 35mm in the house, it's residing in my first camera, a point-and-click Bell+Howell, so I have film.
Then my dad reminded me of an SLR they found when cleaning up my grandfather's stuff a few months ago, a Praktica from sometime in the '70s-'80s. I saw it once, it has a flash bulb attachment, but if I remember right it doesn't like to stay on the camera. I think the Praktica may be a bit easier to work with, it'll probably be in better shape, I'm almost sure it's colour, and being an actual SLR learning to use it will tell me if a DSLR is the right choice for me. I think I'm going to ask about trying to use that one too, and if possible get some pictures of and with it.
Great stuff, I'm glad to see it's peaked your interest! Let me know if you find out what model of Praktica it is, since I own one myself and might be able to offer some advice. Just an FYI, your FED 1 can use colour film, all film cameras can use B&W and colour.
I have a quick question, I'm doing some work for a small business, and they said that they would provide everything, so I agreed. They provided me with an old Nikon D200 and some lighting equipment. But since I'm fairly new to photography and I chose Canon as my brand of choice.
I was wondering if I could use my camera, 1000D, instead of the D200, and still trigger the flash lamps?
List of facts:
D200 triggers can trigger the two flash lamps wirelessly (with built in flash)
I own a 1000D (should have waited 2ti price dropped a few weeks later)
The flash lamps seem old, I forgot to get the brand and model name I'm sorry.
brand/model of the flash lamps would be good to know. Some (like the alienbees line) have built in optical triggers, that cause it to flash at the same time it sees another flash. That way you can, say, pop the on-board flash of your camera (but have it set to manual flash at its lowest value, or at least lower flash compensation a ton) so that it doesn't affect your picture, only the resulting lamp flash does. That's how I used my flash for the longest time, til I got a cable to directly trigger it.
Thanks, I'll sneak my camera in and try it, there was a cable for the lamps but it had a short so I got fed up with the micro rave it would throw instead of firing with the shutter. I "diffused" the built in with a piece of tissue, I'm not very familiar with Nikons, they're completely backwards to me.
yeah, it's always tough using an opposing brand piece.
I still can't decide between the 55-200mm f/4 VR and the 55-300mm f/4.5 VR. On the one hand, I can get the 200 for nearly half the price refurbished and it's slightly faster. On the other hand, the 300 has a metal mount, supposedly better bokeh, second generation VR, and an extra 100mm range. Can anyone with a good amount of experience with telephotos let me know if they find the extra 100mm to be worth it, or if cropping the same amount serves just as well?
[QUOTE=Skyhawk;30669827]I still can't decide between the 55-200mm f/4 VR and the 55-300mm f/4.5 VR. On the one hand, I can get the 200 for nearly half the price refurbished and it's slightly faster. On the other hand, the 300 has a metal mount, supposedly better bokeh, second generation VR, and an extra 100mm range. Can anyone with a good amount of experience with telephotos let me know if they find the extra 100mm to be worth it, or if cropping the same amount serves just as well?[/QUOTE]
You make it sound like they have fixed apertures throughout the range, which they don't.
It's a very personal thing. If you need the extra mm's and the only factor is the price then I'd suggest saving up. If you need a telephotolens right now and are on a very low budget then get the 55-200.
[QUOTE=MrEndangered;30661600]Great stuff, I'm glad to see it's peaked your interest! Let me know if you find out what model of Praktica it is, since I own one myself and might be able to offer some advice. Just an FYI, your FED 1 can use colour film, all film cameras can use B&W and colour.[/QUOTE]
It's a Praktica Super TL, and all I can tell about the lens is it says "Meyer-Optik Görlitz," what looks like a serial number, and, "Oreston 1.8/50" I'm assuming the last bit has something to do with the f-stop, which is something I'm still not entirely sure on. I remembered the problem it had now, it's not that the flash bulb didn't like to stay on, it stays on the eyepiece fine, it's that the eyepiece likes to come out of the camera, and I don't think it's supposed to do that.
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Last pic is what I was talking about with the eyepiece. I managed to find a [url=http://www.praktica-users.com/cams/nova/supertlmanual.html]user manual[/url] for it too. Since it's technically my dad's camera I'm going to have him look at the eyepiece thing, and then I plan on loading it up and seeing what it, and I, can do.
[QUOTE=DaCommie1;30684780]It's a Praktica Super TL, and all I can tell about the lens is it says "Meyer-Optik Görlitz," what looks like a serial number, and, "Oreston 1.8/50" I'm assuming the last bit has something to do with the f-stop, which is something I'm still not entirely sure on. I remembered the problem it had now, it's not that the flash bulb didn't like to stay on, it stays on the eyepiece fine, it's that the eyepiece likes to come out of the camera, and I don't think it's supposed to do that.
Last pic is what I was talking about with the eyepiece. I managed to find a [url=http://www.praktica-users.com/cams/nova/supertlmanual.html]user manual[/url] for it too. Since it's technically my dad's camera I'm going to have him look at the eyepiece thing, and then I plan on loading it up and seeing what it, and I, can do.[/QUOTE]
Learn about all these terms and how to use a camera before you go wasting film.
1.8/50 Means that is a 50mm prime lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8.
[QUOTE=B-hazard;30684976]Learn about all these terms and how to use a camera before you go wasting film.
1.8/50 Means that is a 50mm prime lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8.[/QUOTE]
You may think this is going to sound retarded, but I actually think fucking with settings and wasting a bit of film would be a good way for me to learn how the different setting of the camera work, because it then gives me visual feedback of what the different settings on the camera do. I know the film and development cost money, but as long as I write down what shutter speeds/f-stops I used, I'm almost positive I'll learn something from just fucking around with the settings. I've also heard the saying "f/8 and be there" used before, so that gives me an idea of what the general setting is.
After some quick goolging, and running the shutter of the camera a few times, I've discovered what I think the f-stop is, it controls the aperture size, which limits the amount of light reaching the film. This probably sounds like simple shit to all of you, but I've never handled a camera with an adjustable lens before, so this is all new to me, and I'm likely to sound very stupid for a little while.
Or you could just watch/read a few tutorials, and not have no pay for lots of film and learn some other important things in the process. Whatever floats your boat I guess.
[QUOTE=DoubleDD;30677580]You make it sound like they have fixed apertures throughout the range, which they don't.
It's a very personal thing. If you need the extra mm's and the only factor is the price then I'd suggest saving up. If you need a telephotolens right now and are on a very low budget then get the 55-200.[/QUOTE]
As far as the money thing goes: basically, if I don't get the 55-300, I can get an SB-400 flash. At the moment all I have to use is my pop-up, and it's pretty annoying.
Oh and DaCommie, listen to B-hazard and do your homework, [i]then[/i] go fuck around with everything. It'll be a lot more fun.
[QUOTE=Skyhawk;30687009]As far as the money thing goes: basically, if I don't get the 55-300, I can get an SB-400 flash. At the moment all I have to use is my pop-up.
Oh and DaCommie, listen to B-hazard and do your homework, [i]then[/i] go fuck around with everything. It'll be a lot more fun.[/QUOTE]
I recommend you get a flash, I [i]love[/i] my Speedlite 430EXII..
Also, DaCommie, read up, learn! It'll be better and cheaper and probably more fun, cause you know what you're doing!
I have a quick question.
I've seen many beautifully composed shots that obviously have got a lot of care put into them but you can clearly see from the picture that it only could have been taken in a split second. I was wondering how people adjust their settings so quickly and are able to focus within that second.
[QUOTE=eXiv2;30687182]I have a quick question.
I've seen many beautifully composed shots that obviously have got a lot of care put into them but you can clearly see from the picture that it only could have been taken in a split second. I was wondering how people adjust their settings so quickly and are able to focus within that second.[/QUOTE]
When I see something awesomely awesome, I put my camera in aperture priority and hope for the best..
same here
I think that's really the best you can do, isn't it? Most of the semi-auto modes on modern DSLRs are really pretty good.
Thanks for the quick answers :v: I'm liking this section already.
[QUOTE=eXiv2;30688450]Thanks for the quick answers :v: I'm liking this section already.[/QUOTE]
Any day, man :smile:
I had my dad look at the eyepiece, and he said to either superglue it in place to make sure it doesn't come back out, or to put some Teflon tape on it to make a tighter seal when pushing it in so that we can still remove it if we need to (which I don't see why we'd need to, but whatever). I also tested the flash, and it works fine. I've got 3 rolls of film from no later than 1999 lying around that probably still work, but I think I've wrecked 2-3 frames on 2 of the rolls due to light exposure. They're rated ISO 200/24, from what I can tell, and reading up on that I think that means they're better for outdoor/higher light conditions, and have 24 exposures. I'll look up some examples and tutorials about exposures, and hopefully head out and try some shots either tomorrow or Sunday.
So excited! Just came in the mail (shitty snapshot to show you):
[img]http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/839/dsc0035ta.jpg[/img]
Also, Lightroom is like a godsend compared to Nikon's ViewNX2 program I was using - never going back!
Bought one of those Bower screw on fish eye lenses for shits and giggles. It's a lot of fun but OVERRATED!!
[img]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268960_1786603385348_1247432170_31442246_6880690_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264866_1786610585528_1247432170_31442249_1011276_n.jpg[/img]
Fun to play with.
[img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5200/5889728066_466d27647b.jpg[/img]
Here's my Minolta, I found it in our attic a few weeks ago and have been using it ever since.
I never knew Minolta was it's own company before Konica Minolta, who made one of my printers, until I found an old Minolta point-and-shoot lying around with some film. I pressed the shutter a few times and THE CAMERA TALKS, it's kinda creepy [img]http://www.majhost.com/gallery/degenexo/emotes/thumb/emot-ohdear.png_thumb.jpg[/img]
my sensor keeps getting dirty because i realized that my shutter stays completely open when i change lenses.
i'm pretty sure this is not normal and this bugs me because I only have prime lenses and cannot afford to keep buying swabs to clean my little guy D:
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