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That was rather awkward. Get better organized before you start you session. Just forget it actually

Such a valuable channel, big thanks!

As a boy I bought a Minolta 303 in 1977. It worked great for many years. Like many Minolta enthusiasts, I was disappointed when the company decided to cut with the past by massively adopting electronics and modifying the mount of the new lenses (which Nikon did not do). Then I switched to digital; now I have a beautiful Fujifilm but do you know what I'll tell you? The enormous possibility of maneuvering the menu commands mostly confuses me and makes me lose the pleasure of the simplicity of the past. I am also aware of the possibility of an irreparable breakdown of the delicate electronic circuits. So, I returned to my dear Minolta and, surprise, after decades of inactivity locked in a drawer, it still works perfectly. I found a very well done manual on the internal construction on the internet and I discovered that the little electronics present are basically based on simple copper cables with traditional soldering at the ends, very easy to replace. The only "delicate" parts are the photocells integrated into the pentaprism, which I believe can be recovered. Another market philosophy, memory of a time when things were made to last and be easily repairable.

Hi, I enjoy your videos, no nonsense and no musical crap, exactly what I like. I like the look of this camera but think I would go for the Leicaflex SL2 although I would love a Minolta CLE, pricey though. I recently bought a Voigtlander Bessa L and I know you have done a review on a Voigtlander, but would love to see one on this particular camera, especially lens and hotshoe finder choices. The reviews I have seen look at 12 and 15mm lenses, which is pretty wide for my liking, and the Turnit finder I think is the better option? Interested to hear your views.

Nice review. I inherited one of these about 25 years ago and the meter promptly went out. I sent in for repair and it has been reliable ever since. It’s a great little camera that easily fits in a coat pocket.

A lousy camera in either model, Leica or upgraded Minolta! Friends had them, all faulty..

Nice video….its a fun Leica to use

Great video. I had one mint in the box, the meter still worked great. I immediately sold it for close to what I paid. It just made me nervous that it would break.

I use a FM2n and a Zf. Both of them together has helped me greatly. The FM2n gives me full manual control, but the Zf gives me endless composition practice and the ability to see in black and white through the viewfinder and read in grey tones. The Zf in manual mode is not much different to my FM2n.

Hey so you know anything about cotswold cameras ? Is this a genuine website?

Hi there. Do you know if it’s possible to change the 1/4inch thread on the 503cx to a 3/8inch thread? So I can put a pistol grip on? Cheers :)

Hello Jonathan, would you also be prepared to talk about some of the features of this camera?

Thanks Jonathan, Your video is very helpful. I have 500C and can not take of the lens. Followed your instructions about winding the screw but when I opened bottom door it looks that there is 2 silver screws. I do not know which one to wind? Thanks

Super useful - thank you

Thanks very much for this. Very clear and concise. Finally I know the model I have! 🙂

Dear Jonathan, thanks for this very clear video. My 500cm is currently jammed, and unfortunately your method did not solve my problem. When I turn the screw, I can only rotate it some 180° after which it jumps back (as if there was a spring behind). I did not force too much, so the camera still remains blocked. Any suggestion?

5:35 But why is this method more convenient? Personally, I have never had to deal with such an invention - I only saw it as a historical exhibit, I looked into the viewfinder, but it was too short to assess the comfort of use. Sometimes I tilted my camera's LCD screen to aim this way. But this was rarely useful. Actually, only when I wanted to put the camera on the table for better stabilization and it was difficult to keep my head so low. However, this is the second time I have heard that this method of aiming with such an antique camera was cool and I am curious about more detailed explanations. Was this particular type of viewfinder somehow better at this viewing angle, or... what exactly is going on? :)

You might try a rangefinder folding camera, the french ones are still affordable and have super HQ Tessar clones as lens, try the Royer Royal or Lumiere Lumirex III or the Telka III both make pictures as good as a Rolleiflex. You can still find them for very low money.

Hi Jonathan, Apologies for the late comment and many thanks for this very clear and informative video. I have ordered a LeicaR6 (not the R6.2) and I’m trying to work out the appropriate batteries for it. You mention 10 L14, but I don’t seem to be able to find these online anywhere. Would a replacement be LR 44 and/or SR 44. Or something else? I’d be very grateful if you would comment. Many thanks.

thank you so much for the video! i’m wondering if you had any experience with the shutter being stuck. mine won’t depress all the way as if the lock is on.

great video, thank you!

Key to dating Hasselblad cameras, magazines and accessories (but not lenses): VHPICTURES, where V=1, H=2, P=3, and so on. Serial numbers begin with two of these letters and they are the last two numbers of the year of manufacture.

Key to dating Hasselblad cameras, magazines and accessories (but not lenses): VHPICTURES, where V=1, H=2, P=3, and so on. Serial numbers begin with two of these letters and they are the last two numbers of the year of manufacture.

Hello! Great video thanks. Why are there two wind-on dials on the right hand side of the camera? The larger one with pull out crank is for winding on after each shot, right? What's the one at the bottom towards the back for? Thanks!

I just purchased a Leica M6 before Christmas on the strength of your videos and I am now watching you over again dropping golden nuggets on my next purchase a Hasselblad 503 CX or CXi from a fan in Spain thank you for your stellar work.

LOVING THIS VIDEO! It explains my Nikon 55mm 2.8 AI Manual focus lens in a very straightford manner..BIG THANKS! HG from Chicago

No mention of the interchangeable back variants or how to remove the door. Do you cover this on another video, please? Thanks.

A very helpful and informative tutorial, thank you! The question I want to ask is did you ever use 135 back on Mamiya body? I understand how it works but before I'll dive in that pool just lookig for a bit more information and also to your knowledge is Katzeye focusing screen available for Super, Pro or Pro TL or they come with one originally? I used to have 645 1000s ages ago and it was by far one of my fav film bodies but my understanding is that 135 back made for the use with interchangeable back only...

I love F2, with its A or AS viewfinder. it's a monster build like a tank but there's no need for it if you simply want the total control: a FM, FE or even a Nikkormat FT3 or ALMOST whatever other film reflex camera can do the same thou it's not maybe so good. I just found out a F3 HP in A+ condition. I've always wanted it since a was a kid and used to watch Nikon fliers with cameras and lenses like they showed some story that I periodically used to read from the start. I'm still considering buying it but I have 2 nikon F, 2 nikon F2, one Nikkormat ft3, one nikon EL 2, 2 FE and 2 FE 2, mostly left by my dad in perfect condition. I took in my hands the F2... it's fully mechanical but it has almost the same features of F3 and it feels bolder so I see no reason to buy the F3 having F2 if not just for collection. FE 2 reaches even 1/4000 has a synchro speed of 1/250 . So I gave up the idea.

I'll do some search but I wanted to understand if this camera has a depth of field preview button. Thank you I really like it thou it feels too plastic-ish. ETRSi looks bolder but I don't like it has some ackward and umconfortable mechanism and the normal lens is 75 rather than 80. Mamiya 645 system also feature a 35 that is what I would go for landscape. While ETRSi just stops at 45 unless you pick the fisheye. I'm still undecided between the two anyway, thou my preference is for Mamiya.

Спасибо.

Thanks a lot for the video 🎉

Don't need the 40 odd megapixels this camera offers . Each to their own . A D810 and D700 as backup work very well for my requirements .

I've got a few manual film cameras including a couple of F2's. They're big, bulky, heavy and slow compared to modern digital stuff, but I think they're way more involving to use. A degree of knowledge is required with fully manual film cameras which is mostly absent in digital cameras (manual settings accepted of course). The reality is that many people just use the 'auto' function and let the camera decide.

Don't rip us off then. Then, we wouldn't bother. The UK is known internationally as being very Mug rich. Cars, for example. Dealers KNOW, you WANT to pay MORE than your neighbour has for his POS. Manufacturers have also noticed. Dacia, once prided themselves on flogging sub 10K cars...until they noticed 'we' WANTED to pay more for their products. They're catching up, and on, fast. Skoda went the same way years ago. Stop making absolute Crocks' and slap them with a Premium notion; VAG (Skoda? Seat? Both notorious Crocks once upon a time, now, just as shite but no shite'r than ), Mercedes Benz, BM Trouble U? Discuss:- Mercedes Benz fine automobiles saturating the taxi ranks abroad? When we ditched the EU what happened to imports from America? The excuse, some time ago was, "They were imports from outside the EU", now? Some other excuse now no doubt...! Stop ripping us off! With everything. No-one expects a free ride, or minds paying for stuff...some of us mind like hell paying for stuff that's half the price abroad. Does it really cost so much more to transport stuff to Ripoff Britain than it does to take it to Lithuania? That little old Channel Crossing is it? Sail a couple of hundred more miles, after sailing thousands? Or is it just nice Ms Reeves cut?

Two more usfull pieces of information: Nikon offered for some time conversion to AI, the ring with the prong was exchanged, unlike in user-"converted" lenses, where it was milled of filed. And, AI lenses work perfectly well with todays full-frame DSLRs.

I’ve recently got myself a beautiful Nikkormat FTN and even though the chap in the shop had explained the lens choices to me briefly, this explanation was so helpful! I now understand I can use any of the lenses that have the rabbit ears as they were all made to be compatible with earlier models. Great move Nikon. Thanks for the video and the info!

Finally a very technical and professional explanation of the difference between the Biogon and the Distagon. At the end of the day the optical difference is not so much (I have both and love them both), what completely change is the shooting approach: with the CM you can focus with the 40mm as using a normal DSRL, with the SWC/903 I prefer to shoot like with a 6X6 “small” large format camera using the glass adapter, I mean with that speed and time for reflection, instead of almost blinding shooting only using the viewfinder mocking a real TTL shot. Great to listen someone who really understand those wonderful gears! 👏👏👏

I've been shooting an M3 double-stroke with a 35mm Summicron for several years -- no goggles, no frame lines. I just use the full viewfinder window as my "approximate" field of view. It may not be 100% accurate, but I have never really noticed anything off in any of my shots. Generally speaking, the edges of the frame are not usually the most critical area of the composition, and if anything objectionable was to creep into the frame as a result of my lack of precise framing (which I don't remember ever happening to me with the M3) I could presumably get rid of it with a slight crop. All this to say, in my experience a 35mm lens works just fine without any special treatment, goggles, etc. And a 35mm on a Leica is a sweet thing!

you didn't mention the flimsy plastic battery compartment holding six aa's, otherwise great video thanks

Great video. I have the 3.5 F but the aperture and shutter dials are linked so you’re getting the same exposure just different shutter speeds and aperture value as you turn them. How do you disengage the link between the aperture and shutter dial???

Jonathan - I keep buying old cameras and when I have to operate them all I find are your videos. Already happened with some hasselblad cameras, the RB67 and now this 😂

This tutorial saved my trip in Venezia!!! Thank you brother, for such simple way to unlock the camera during my trip. The camera got stuck and I was losing my mind…. watched the video in a cafeteria and borrowed a screwdriver from a local camera store and unlocked it in 5 seconds. Huge thanks again

Thanks for that informative video. I have a question regarding the AE prism finder; does it actually set the aperture in shutter mode or shutter in aperture mode, or is it strictly a meter requiring manual setting of both aperture and shutter based on the meter reading?

Super helpful video. Thank you!

Have you done anything on hyperfocal focusing?

My two front dials are stuck and only rotate a little. What do I do?

Thank you very much!

Hi Jonathan, I was gifted a Bronica ETR, the older ones with the one lever on the back rather than twin. That thing is a little pain but it does lock on and I can spool my film to 1. No problem using the main twisty dial on the back. I can also advance the film using that. However, I can’t get the film to advance properly using the hand crank. That hand crank is needed to open up to the back of the camera to prime it for shutter release, and that part works fine. But I can take a photo, crank one revolution until it stops me, take another, etc forever and it will never advance the number. I can hear the film rolling but I’m afraid to open the back. Where can I find a dummy roll? And do I need to service the hand crank or could I be doing something else wrong? Thanks so much for your videos I’m so happy I found your channel. Cheers. Happy new year.

Is mirror locked up very expensive to fix