Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
International Commie Camera Day 2011!
The first mass produced 35mm camera from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) was the FED from 1934, a Leica II clone.
Zorki 1d + Industar 22 + FED 3a + Jupiter 8 |
FED article by Oscar Fricke
JEL Special Edition Zorki 6 + Jupiter 8 and FED 2 + Industar 61LD |
As part of WWII reparations, the Soviets gained access to blueprints, tools and other materials to manufacture Zeiss designed optics well into the the 90s with minor updates.
When properly adjusted and serviced, FED and Zorki cameras + Industar and Jupiter lenses are capable of producing high quality images.
Zorki 1d + Industar 22 APX100/Diafine |
Millions were manufactured but the main issue was lack of quality control.
FED 3a + Jupiter 8 Foma 100/Rodinal |
Being a tinkerer at heart cheap FEDs and Zorkis became my guinea pigs from which I gained enough confidence to buy unloved Leica IIs in need of TLC.
Zorki 1d + Industar 22 APX100/Diafine |
It is interesting to note that just about every industrialized nation in the 20th century attempted to manufacture a Leica clone.
FED 2 + Industar 61LD Fuji 200 |
Notable copies include Kardon, USA and Reid, UK which are now highly collectible and command prices greater than a genuine Leica.
FED 2 + Industar 61LD Fuji 200 |
The post WWII camera and optical industry of Japan was also founded on Leica copies from Canon, Nicca/Tower (later Yashica), Leotax, Minolta (Chiyoko) and etc.
Fed 3a + Jupiter 8 Foma 100/Rodinal |
Eventually the Japanese beat the Germans in their own game and ultimately became the largest manufacturer of cameras and lenses in the world.
Zorki 6 + Jupiter 8 HP5+/DDX |
A testament to Japanese tradition of discipline, industry and ability to innovate!
China also made Leica copies - a souvenir from my visit to Shanghai last year.
Zorki 1d + Jupiter 8 TX400/Diafine |
China also made Leica copies - a souvenir from my visit to Shanghai last year.
Shanghai 58-II + 50/3.5 lens |
My original plan for today was to take pictures with this camera, unfortunately it became too hot and muggy ;o(
Friday, April 29, 2011
Canon Serenar f1.8, 50mm LTM lens
This Serenar 50/1.8 came as a body cap on a Canon IVSB2 acquired at a camera show in late '97. It had dust specs, haze, front element cleaning marks and fine scratches. The result from a trial roll was discouraging. I could not find the proper 50mm lens in the ensuing camera shows, instead I ended up with a minty Serenar 35/2.8 with matching view finder in its original leather case.
After shooting a few more rolls, a cousin became really interested in this Canon RF system. Since I was contemplating the purchase of a used Leica M6, I sold the lot with a right of first refusal clause if he decides to unload at a later date. He enjoyed it for several years using an Elmar E39 50/2.8 LTM and the Serenar 35/2.8.
Fast forward to last December, he was trimming down his RF collection and I got the outfit back. Meanwhile I've read many good things about this Planar design at Rangefinder forum and Dante Stella considers it at par with the original Leitz rigid Summicron.
My curiosity was piqued and searched for information on how I can get rid of the dust specks and haze. I found a post at Rangefinder forum (can't find the exact link) describing disassembly which starts at the rear retaining ring...
The whole optical module comes off the focusing helical
Be careful not to scratch the glass...
Fortunately the middle lens element was within the torque ability of my heavy duty tweezers ;)
The aperture blades were dry and the click stops turning smoothly, just cleaned out dirt and sparingly relubed with lithium grease.
I discovered edge separation in the cemented pair middle lens element, not very encouraging...
Everything cleaned and lubed.
Ready for a test drive...
Bessa R Acros 100/Diafine |
Bessa R Acros 100/Diafine |
Leica M3 + M adapter PX125/Diafine |
More Serenar 50/1.8 pics
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Intermission...
Overture to Fingal's Cave, Op. 26, Felix B. Mendelssohm
Manila Symphony Orchestra
Joseph Esmilla, guest conductor
July 10, 2010
On a one week notice, I filled in for a guest conductor who fell ill
Joseph Esmilla, guest conductor
July 10, 2010
On a one week notice, I filled in for a guest conductor who fell ill
Monday, April 25, 2011
Leitz Summar 50mm, f2
My Summars came as body caps on a '30 I > II conversion, brassy '32 and the '36 chrome below.
Notable flaws:
uncoated = veiling flare and low contrast
front element cleaning marks and scratches = soft focus
Notable flaws:
uncoated = veiling flare and low contrast
front element cleaning marks and scratches = soft focus
Leica II + Summar
Pentax ME super + Vivitar Series 1, 70-210mm zoom/macro TX400/Diafine |
After cleaning out the internal haze...
Bridge at C&O Canal
Fed 3a + Summar 50/2 APX100/Diafine |
Black Ice
Zorki 5a + Summar 50/2 TX400/D76 |
Austin Healey Sprite MK1
Leica II + Summar 50/2 APX00/Diafine |
Arts in the City
Canon IVSB2 + Summar 50/2 Acros 100/Diafine |
I also have a Stalin Summar - Fed 50/2
Fed S + Fed 50/2 Foma100/Diafine |
Monday, April 18, 2011
Four Seasons
I performed the Vivaldi Four Seasons on April 9 with the Manila Symphony Orchestra and was inspired to sift through my file of wasted film while testing lenses ;0)
Leica M6 + Summicron 35/2-I Fuji 200 |
Fed 2 + Industar 26M PX125/D-76 |
Leica M3 + Summicron 35/2-1
Agfa Vista 100
|
Zorki 5a + Summar 50/2
TX400/D-76
|
Friday, April 15, 2011
For Brian
Time travel to the Mono era
...excerpt from Korngold Violin Concerto performed by Jascha Heifetz RCA LM1782
Video taken during the time I was exchanging mono shop talk emails with Brian...
Monday, April 11, 2011
Brian Clark 1944-2011
Brian's monofantastico!
In this day and age we are fortunate to form a kinship with people we never get to meet in person...Brian was a major inspiration when I built my mono Hi-Fi system.
Bon Voyage my dear friend!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Half-frame...
...cameras...
Chaika 2M + Olympus Pen D |
...and OLD cars
Early 70s Toyota Celica
Chaika 2M Delta 100/Diafine |
'60 Austin Cambridge A55, MKII
BMC 1489cc "B series" engine and transmission missing, donated to an older A55 MK1, pre-Farina project
Chaika 2M Delta 100/Diafine |
BMC cars were popular in the streets of 50s - 60s Manila. Aside from being middle class family transport, petrol or diesel A55s and A60s were operated as taxicabs. I was surprised to find this A55 Farina since many have been scrapped years ago. We had one and I learned to drive in it.
Austin Healey Sprite MK1 looks like an aborted restoration ...
Chaika 2M Delta 100/Diafine |
I am glad to have taken these pictures...passed by recently and a house is being constructed on this once empty lot...all the cars are gone.
More cine frame pics
Testing the Olympus Pen D
Olympus Pen D TX400/Diafine |
Happy motoring!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)