Filed under: black and white
Taken on UK's campus. This might be one of my favorite shots in a long time. It's actually the second time I took this. Self deprecating moment alert: I had the lens cap on the first time (for 3 shots). On a rangefinder camera, you're looking through a viewfinder over the lens, not through it like an SLR. Whoops! Another shot with the fabulous Konica Auto S2. See my previous post about this camera.
I really want this camera, the Konica Auto S2, to be one of my everyday go-to cameras. It's a Japanese rangefinder from the mid-60's is the perfect fixed-lens rangefinder. It has the ability to go full manual or auto (shutter priority), with in-viewfinder metering. The metering cell is in the lens casing, so adding filters automatically compensates for light loss. The rangefinder is bright, and is actually easier to focus than SLRs. The lens is a one of the most underrated lenses of all time. It's in the same league as Carl Zeiss, Schneider, and Leica. The trouble? The damn electronics (meter) is intermittent. I've done everything but replace all the wiring. I can certainly meter by hand (or with my nifty iPhone app), but I like my cameras to be fully functional. A rangefinder is all about spontaneity, That's why a working meter is essential. Oh well, I'll crack it open again and maybe replace the battery contacts.
Oliver looking out the screen window, which created an interesting checkerboard pattern in the bokeh (out-of-focus areas). I was trying a recently purchased Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex Super, made in 1959. It's one of the cross-over cameras that employed a leaf shutter in the lens like older folders, used SLR viewfinder technology. The most famous of these types is the Voigtländer Bessamatic. The positives were manufacturers could use existing parts and knowledge with the shutters, while providing WYSIWYG viewfinders that Japanese camera makers were dominating the market with. Pentax, Nikon, and others were creating the next generation of camera, and the Germans were a little too stubborn to change in time. The main negatives about the leaf shutter were that lens interchangeability was difficult, and the mirror stayed down and blacked out the viewfinder until you cocked the shutter. The jury's still out on the lens in this camera. There's too much flare, even with a shade. The edges seem a bit soft, even in towards the center. I think my developer was off in this batch, so I'm going to give the camera another whirl with color this summer. I still don't think it will match the "Oh my God" sharpness and contrast of my Voigtländer Bessamatic, though.
Pulled out the old Canon FT (1966). The FT was the last in the line for FL (breach lock) lenses for Canon before moving to FD lenses. The FT series was, in effect, the last of the consumer mechanical SLRs before Canon introduced the revolutionary AE-1 electronic camera. The FD lenses will work on the FT, but you must take the lens out of "auto" and manually push the meter lever to meter in "stop-down" mode. This is welcome for me, as the viewfinder will darken if a small aperture is set and you can see what's in or out of focus. The downside is actually seeing the match-needle if it's in dim light.. This "depth-of'-field" check is on many cameras. The FTb camera that followed, along with the FD lenses, eliminated the necessity to "stop-down" meter.
I have a similar picture taken at the same time with a Diana clone processed in coffee. This is a straight shot. (Bronica ETRS, Ilford Delta 100, Ilfosol 1:9)
At Camp Nelson. A bit of a candid, and a mistake. She kept watching me as I explored around. She finally gave up, I guess figuring I was harmless. As I was post-processing this, I slipped while adjusting the curves. It gave me the lithograph look, saving what was going to be a ho hum picture. I was already having contrast problems anyway. Like we say in the production biz, "If it's already trouble, just dumb it down." (Bronica ETRS, Ilford Delta 100, Ilfosol 1:9)
At Camp Nelson, KY. A study in minimalism. I would have liked to see more slope on the foreground hill on the right. I might try this one again in the summer to get more shadow/sun contrast. (Bronica ETRS, Ilford Delta 100, Ilfosol 1:9)
At Waveland Shrine. I think this picture looks like it could have been taken anytime in the last 100 years. (Bronica ETRS, Ilford Delta 100, Ilfosol 1:9)
Back in the woods behind Waveland Shrine. I'm guessing it's a victim of recent flooding. (Bronica ETRS, Ilford Delta 100, Ilfosol 1:9)
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