Real Glass: Zeiss Ikon Voigtlander Contaflex Super BC & Proxar lenses
The Contaflex Super BC was the first camera ever made with TTL (through the lens) metering. Unlike many of the other cameras of the period, such as the Olympus OM which had a curtain shutter, this one has a leaf shutter and the prism flips up.
A historic camera which was on my wish list of cameras that represent a leap in camera design and technology.
An expensive camera in its day, found on eBay for less than $50- after waiting patently to find one with a tested and working meter. It operates using a modern Wein cell, which can by used to replace the old style Mercury batteries. Found some Proxar macro lens attachments for less than $20 also on eBay from NSW mid-north coast.
Have loaded in a roll of Ektar 100 and am happily snapping away.
Congratulations on this great acquisition. You sure are building an enviable collection of vintage cameras and accessories. Glad you share the info on them and the fab pics you take with them.
You amaze me Peter! All the time. You know way more than my camera shop guy ( who also teaches classes.) This is so intriguing .. I keep looking at those lens and wonder how that all works. I looked at that new Leica camera that only does b&w and supposedly has that "grainy" look of old film. Ha. I doubt it ... and the price almost gives one a heart attack. Yet, I would love to shoot a week with it. What old 35mm film camera would you recommend for me to start with (if I find one at a sale.) I LOVE the grainy look of old film ... that's what I want. If you can think of one (and it's easy to use) lol, let me know, Peter. I will look around.
@karenann America is a camera cornucopia, especially eBay. Why not aim to spend less than $50 and just try something. The Olympus SP was supposed a fabulous camera, and I lke the Aires 35-v because it is easy to use and they are not very sought after. The main thing is that is free of dust, ramgefinder and meter works, and no fungus. The Voigtlander Vito's are readily attainable but can be more sought after. Why not look at photos that I or @grizzlysghost post and get an idea of camera. If it doesn't work out get another, and you won't have spent much. Some people like the Pentax Spotmatic, Canon AE-1 or Nikon FM2 but I prefer Olympus OM series and some of these wonderful German cameras. If you have a shop that sells old cameras have a look and test them. It it important shutter fires. Have fun
Thanks millions, Peter. I kick myself. Had a beautiful "barely used" Canon AE1 with extra lens, etc..plus leather case. And gave it away. i'll be looking and checking.
Goodness this brings back memories my Father used one of these for years and I still have the lovely b&W photots and then the first in very faded colour which was so exciting!!!
Sweet, I need some Zeis in m y collection I think. Peter, Wein Cells, where do you get them? Online or local, and do they come in different sizes. I picked up a Soligor UF light meter for peanuts in a charity shop yesterday and I think it used a mercury cell. But have no idea what I need for it now, and am struggling to find any suppliers in the UK. Any ideas?
Erm, inspires me to wonder whether we could come up with a camera swap shop, I'll send you my Rollei if you send me your Ikon. Joking aside, I've noticed a few nice examples around, will be great to see the pics.
@chewyteeth@peterdegraaff I've actually been toying with the idea of putting together a camera swap group amongst the lot of us, on FB or something. I'm sure Aaron @grizzlysghost might be interested too. Thoughts? I have several cams I'm not really interested in holding onto, several rangefinders, for example. It'd be nice to see them go to good homes. Also, I figured out the other day that I have FOUR Olympus Mju/Stylus Epics, and that seems quite excessive. :)
@peterdegraaff
I wonder if postage would be exhorbitant. hmmm, I got rid of a load of cameras since March. What've I left? some PB lenses, some PK lenses, some point and shoots. Nothing you cool guys would want I fear.
What about some kind of blog/365 page/facebook page etc. where we all share posts, and build up a resource of info about all the cameras we own between us. if its on here, post a picture a day until we've shown all the cameras, it would be a good resource and also inspire the others to find new cameras. We could link to flickr pictures we took with said cameras. what dya think? I mean just this year I must have owned and used some 25 cameras, probably more.
@chewyteeth@peterdegraaff Maybe we could just share what we have for starters, sort of like Dave suggests, and if there's something you wouldn't mind passing along/swapping for, you could note that, and if anyone's interested, hammer it out? I don't personally mind the postage to either Australia or the UK (she says before she actually checks on it) - I've mailed to the UK before and it wasn't that bad, although I probably wouldn't want to be sending a box out once a week. Sure would love to get rid of this Yashica though - can't offload this thing for love or money! :)
@chewyteeth Wot kind of point and shoots do you have about? Some of us like that sort of thing. :D
@beautifulthing@chewyteeth@beautifulthing I am collecting Yashicas and Olympus, but mainly TLRs. Would love to get one of your little Stylus Epics for my collection. Then i will only need a Gothic PEN, SP, RC, Olympusflex and OM-D to round out. Postage to Oz and UK depends on weight, size and tracking. I like rangefinders but the Aires may be the one. It does everything really well. If you ever see an Airesflex with Nikkor lenses let me know. Anyway. Maybe we can work out some of finer details in FB.
@peterdegraaff@beautifulthing
erm I'll facebook you what point and shoots I got. If we have one special thing in mind too, like Peter we can always watch our seperate respective ebays and possibly cheaper in other regions. I'm sceptical though, my large collection is mainly cameras that are worth less than the postage would be. ;(
July 21st, 2012
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
@karenann
I wonder if postage would be exhorbitant. hmmm, I got rid of a load of cameras since March. What've I left? some PB lenses, some PK lenses, some point and shoots. Nothing you cool guys would want I fear.
What about some kind of blog/365 page/facebook page etc. where we all share posts, and build up a resource of info about all the cameras we own between us. if its on here, post a picture a day until we've shown all the cameras, it would be a good resource and also inspire the others to find new cameras. We could link to flickr pictures we took with said cameras. what dya think? I mean just this year I must have owned and used some 25 cameras, probably more.
PS thanks for your reply on FB, I'll speak soon.
@chewyteeth Wot kind of point and shoots do you have about? Some of us like that sort of thing. :D
erm I'll facebook you what point and shoots I got. If we have one special thing in mind too, like Peter we can always watch our seperate respective ebays and possibly cheaper in other regions. I'm sceptical though, my large collection is mainly cameras that are worth less than the postage would be. ;(