1. Praktica PM3. (M42 screw mount, made in Jena, DDR.) Zeiss-designed lenses. 2. Chinon CE-4. (Pentax K bayonet mount, automatic or manual exposure.) "GAF by Chinon" 3. Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. (M42 screw mount, early through the lens metering.) Radioactive Takumar lenses! 4. Fed-4 (M39 Leica screw mount, Selenium light meter.) Pride of the Ukraine.
I really miss the days of film. It was a real acquired skill that turned a concept into a startling image. Spending a good part of a day shooting and an all night exercise in developing the film are fondly remembered. In all my moves my box of film camera equipment has never been left behind...
I still shot on Praktica FX2, it was camera that my great grandfather bought back in 50s. It amazes me that it stills goes strong after almost 70 years of use. Only thing I need is to buy pentaprism for it, but waist level finder is fun too.
My dad bought me chinon camera. I was taken on in an advertising studio. When the tall ships race set of from Liverpool. My boss heard about my “little camera” and told me to bring it along. We only shot 5x4 plate or medium format my little camera with a 300 mm lens on zipped up and down the river Mersey and the shot I took ended up on tv adds and bill boards. Nearly 4 decades ago. Nice camera.
Chinon were entirely original, and the most under-rated SLRs of all time. I own the CE-4s (like yours, but with the addition of a Judas Window). There's also the CE-5 with a top speed of 1/2000th and only 2x LR44 batteries, rather than the CE-4's 3. Pentax used the rubberised silk shutter for a long time - the last model introduced with it was the MX in 1978, but the K1000 continued into the 1990s.
Thank you for an inspiring video, it's good to see that there are photographers out there that still love these cameras and still use film. Film photography is a tactile experience that the digital photography era can never replace. I recently found five exposed 15 year old 120 format films that I didn't get around to having developed until now, the images some taken on a Holga and some on a Hassellblad were still amazingly good and brought back memories of the actual moments those images were taken and almost forgotten. Keep up the good work.
I own a Spotmatic F. Great camera. Paid $45 USD about two years ago. And it came with the SMC Takumar 55 f/1.8 The lens alone is worth more than that. It also came with the original manual, original leather case, and some vintage flash gear that I imagine was used with it back in the day. The "F" edition does have the cold shoe. Meter still works too, about 75% of the time. :-)
Nice video.IMHO Oly OM-1 is another top for experienced photographers.And Pentax P30 for people who know only how to push button.Because of reliable exposure automatic shots will only depends on film & composition.
Praktica Nova 2, was my first SLR back in the mid 90s, completely agree about the positioning of the shutter release. I still have mine along with a large collection of Lenses. I do shoot more digital now, I shoot a lot of dance photography and the ability for continuous shooting is great. I recently bought a mount adaptor for my Nikon DSL’s, and love using some of the m42 Mount lenses
Nostalgic reviews. My first camera was a Praktica LTL, and my dad had a Honeywell Pentax. Both good cameras, although I eventually traded in my Praktica for a Nikon F (which I still have). Worth noting (other folks here have mentioned) I think both the Praktica and the Pentax I used had stop down metering -- you had to close the lens aperture down to take a reading, and sometimes that made for a pretty dark viewfinder! Which made picture taking a little more measured -- my routine was roughly frame, focus, stop down, check meter, stop back up, check focus again, take picture (-;. I believe both also used PX625 mercury batteries, no longer available, which I haven't found a great replacement for.
The shooting routine was certainly slower on those cameras with stop down, strangely enough though I sometimes find it quite a good experience to shoot in a slower, more measured way. It's one of the reasons I enjoy using the Barnack Leicas.
Enjoyed your video. I happened to find a mint condition leather cased made in Germany Kodak Retina with an Ektar f 3.5 50mm lense. A 80 year old man in my congregation who has his own photography studio, I showed him the camera he knew all about it.
I still have my Practika TL1000 from the 70's in its carry case, i haven't used it in years. My grandson Marshall is doing an art course in college and they starting with all aspects of b&w photography and needed an analogue camera It had to " look modern though" so I chose a Minolta Dynax 303i which turned out to be in immaculate condition throughout for peanuts. I was so impressed I bought another this time a Minolta Dynax 404i again immaculate throughout for 13 GBP, chuffed is not the word. I decided to go back to using film in particular b&w and rather fancied a 1960's camera as well just for fun. After a lot of searching I went for a make I didn't know after a bit of research, it is a Beirette K with case as advertised, it won't be here until next Monday or Tuesday fingures crossed, a back to basics camera at a cost of 12.95GBP inc postage, I cant wait to get started. I hope it is as good as advertised. A camera I liked a lot was the Zorki 4 aeons ago, over the years I have had dozens of cameras.
@@zenography7923 Unfortunately I now have the collecting bug :-) Looking more for style at the minute, the AKW Arette Super P looks interesting, as does the Werra Mat, so much choice! and did I mention the Penti cameras,oh hell :-) It's all your fault :-)
Good overview of these, thanks! And, since you tube suggested this video to me, I've gone and looked at the other stuff you've posted. Quite a lot to watch and learn from! One thing I think worth keeping in mind about these--or any other old camera/lens--is that they *are* decades old and that means there is not often any way to be certain about any previous maintenance or damage. So, buying them is always a bit of a gamble. A gamble worth taking, I think, but still a bit of a risk. That said, I have been happiest with the FSU rangefinders, and there were really only two things about the FED4 I did not like: rewinding was pretty slow and annoying. Secondly is that it does not have strap lugs. And I wouldn't trust any leather case as old as these are to carry the camera with. That camera can be plenty capable and looks pretty good but while I have owned and used most of the FSU rangefinders over the years, The one I still have and use is a very nice 1955 Zorki 3m. That one I did send off to be serviced so it ought to be good to go for the foreseeable future. Thank you again for this video!
My parents bought me a Chinon CE4 about 40 years ago. The K-mount was great. Cheaper than the Pentax bodies at the time but with more features. The dial on the front is a 5 or 10 second countdown timer with an LED. There is also a depth of field preview button just beside the lens, and on the top deck there is a double exposure lever near the winder. They also made a fantastic powerwinder that went under the camera with the grip and shutter release on the grip. The winder had three dials: 1) single or multiple shots, 2) an intervalometer, 3) a shot limiter. After firing through the first roll or two the shot limiter became very important, as well as the intervalometer - taking 8 shot at 4s made a good car race sequence. I've had two of them and both have failed and can't be repaired anymore. The downside was that the camera had to have three watch batteries to work and with the powerwinder on the countdown times is hard to get at. But I really liked the camera and still have it.
Chinon were a manufacturer in its own right. Starting just after WWII they were eventually purchased by Eastman Kodak. The only major thing I would point out for potential buyers of these cameras is to make sure the light-years are sound. Most use foam rubber that deteriorates with time. Of those four I would pick a Spotmatic every time, the build quality being better than the rest by far.
Mine needs new seals, an irksome job but I'll do it eventually. No such problems on the Prakticas, which have a string (I think) seal that doesn't degrade.
I had a Chinon in the day, it was ok and could take a beating,,,,, eventually parted with it when I got the Canon AE1 program, the ultimate prize I thought at the time. I do like what Fuji is doing today trying to mix old and new together.
I still have a couple of Pentax K1000, a Pentax P30, a Nikon FM2 with titanium shutter, a Nikon F801, a Nikon F90 with drive, various lenses and some I still occasionally use today. The old Nikon f1.4 50mm gets used sometimes. :-)
All fun to watch. I have several film cameras. Even if I find a processor they want to scan the negative and print it digitally. Who prints light through negative onto paper? I don't know of one close to me.
I really enjoy your videos, and shoot many of the same cameras and lenses. If I could make a suggestion for a future video, how about the Kodak Retinette 1B? Made in the late 50s and early 60s, loads to choose from, a German built fixed lens rangefinder, wonderful to look at, tactile and best of all it takes great pictures. Cost from £5 to £30 on ebay etc. I'd say that just about sums up the ethos of your channel. Oh and to tickle your fancy, lovely bokeh and misty blur. Go on, you'll love it.
@@zenography7923 just bought in the meantime a MTL3 Praktica without lens. Next week I will decide which Zeiss lens to buy, probably a later Tessar for start
I've actually grown to like these cheap options so much that I often prefer using them over the more known brand cameras I also own. My absolute go-to camera right now with M42 thread is a Cosina under the German "Porst" label, with a an "Olympia"-labeled Cosinar 35mm lens that outperforms many other lenses I own in terms of sharpness. I can only recommend looking for those relabeled options to save some additional money, often there are really nice cameras behind them and they're easier to find than the original. Cosina cameras and lenses are great and at least in and around Germany can often be found as "Porst" cameras, who also had a lot of great Fujica cameras. They are everywhere on ebay and flea markets, while the original is almost unknown here. "Revue" is another huge German reseller that is worth looking at, they were probably the largest reseller of Prakticas, although original Prakticas are so cheap it's not really worth getting the Revue version - the original looks much nicer too.
When I was in the military in Thailand, the BX carried several cameras, and everybody was buying a camera to take back home with them. I couldn't make up my mind, because they all seemed great. The salesguy at the BX told me that if I really wanted a great camera, go with the Nikon Photonic FTN. I asked him what it was, and he said it was the National Geographic photographer's choice in cameras, but when they came in, they were quickly sold out. I asked him if he would reserve one for me, and he said on two conditions - that I have my money ready and within 2 hours of his telling me about it. I told him I was ready to buy it. It cost a lot more than the other cameras, which were quite good, by the way. I finally bought and used it for many years. It traveled wit me in the military and civilian life thereafter, to college and several countries. Regrettably, I sold the camera in Seattle to a Nikon enthusiast. I think of the four cameras compared above, I'd buy the Asahi Pentax, also known as the Honeywell Pentax.
Thank you for a great video, encouraged me to dig out my old practica again complete with unused roll of ilford b/w, use by date 1999☺. Might give it a try for an experiment .. Cheers and thanks again for reminding me of the fun you could get from these great , well made cameras
I cut my teeth on a Pentax in Japan back in the 60s/70s. Note that you will seldom find one labeled Asahi Pentax in the US, Honeywell had the import rights. But GIs did bring some home.
Nice one, thanks. I've had two of those, Spotmatic and FED 4, both great. The shutter on the Spotmatic is indeed rubberized (silk, I think), but I think the (now very old) shutter is its weakness. I've had two (one from new, bought in the 60s) and in both of them the shutter eventually failed. Still, lovely camera if you can find a good one. (My favourite FED, btw, is the FED 2)
@Boomer Galactica My FED 4 performed well - shutter was smooth and reasonably accurate, and the lens mount to film distance tolerance was close enough. The meter seemed to be working OK, but I didn't actually use it - a modern handheld meter is a lot more sensitive and more accurate than an old selenium meter. I've had several FED 2s (still have one) and again the shutters were good (which is about all a Fed 2 has really).
I would recommend the Mamiya M42 and later K mount cameras. The Mamiya DTL series for example unlike the Spotmatic actually has both a spot and center weighted meter. I want to like the Prakticas but I have had several and they all failed catastrophically in fairly short order. The Zenits are a bit dim because of an undersized mirror but they run forever with the reliable Leica shutter.
I still have the Chinon CE-4 and Pentax ME Super, with a few K series lenses. The Chinon exposes a little more accurately than the Pentax. Although I haven't used either for years, I did put in some batteries a while back to see if they were still OK and they were. So they're staying with me, just in case I fancy running some Ektachrome through them.
Great video as ever! I picked up a spotmatic 2 (I think ) last month with a super multi coated 50f1.4 and a Jena 135 for 80 quid. I only bought the bundle for the lenses really, because I never really took to the film era. I might just go out there with a roll and see what comes back. 😏
I liked the video , as always. I own a Chinon CE 4 and a CE 5.and very happy with both of them. Also I am struggling with Russian cameras as a result of watching your videos, I have a Zorki 4 K and recently a Zorki 1. There is a love and hate relationship with them but I enjoy them in a different way than all the other "conventional" cameras I have. Good results wich is what matters, in the end. Thanks.
Results are what matters, no doubt about it. The Zorkis are very simple, essentially pre-war cameras, but that's what I like about them. They require more concentration to use than modern gear does, but I find them, and others like them, to be a purer experience. Once you get used to them they can give very nice results.
It’s been a long stinking hot day, couldn’t sleep turned on mobile and your video clip came up: You made my day my friend. Those cameras sell for a lot more here in Australia on eBay and the postage is around $50 for over seas orders. Anyway thank you
Oh, what I wouldn't give for a long hot day, with some sunlight! Here in the UK we've got horrible grey clouds probably several miles high, no colour to anything, awful for photography. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Zenography Having gray weather for an extended length of time would be depressing. Having stinking hot days full of humidity is the same lol. I feel for both of us: But gray sky’s would be great for B&W street photography wouldn’t it
I don't want to sound like a camera snob but, as you point out, the Pentax Spotmatic range were I feel a cut above the others you show here. I good friend of mine who used to have a Praktica sold it and replaced it with a new Spotmatic F and he said just the feel of the smooth Takumar focusing was a totally different experience. my first quality camera was a Spotmatic II bought new so I will admit I am biased. I still use in BTW.
According to the Chinon: It may have the same shutter as a contemporary Cosina. Burt only later with the CP-Line and its variation of the K-Mount the more simple Models became rebranded Cosinas.
Boomer Galactica thanks! It was! I had access to a darkroom at school at the time, so shot 100% B&W which I learned to develop and print myself when I git the chance to.
Nice video! I am from this era and my first slr was a Praktica MLT3b, after that one i had a few Pentaxes of which my Pentax meSuper was the best. Than i switched to Nikon because i went to study photography and everyone was on Nikon or Canon these days. I had a FM and FE and i still have a F301 in mint condition. Later i got myself a F801s which i still have and my latest buy was a D80. I kept them all except the Pentax and i still regret that i sold that one.
I still have my Contax RTS2 with a Zeiss 100mm F2 (Special portrait lens), can't sell these because they wouldn't give peanuts for a $5,000 duo. I also have the motor drive and a Vivitar 70-210 zoom lens. Thanks for these few pages of history. I'm always on the lookout for a Leica M1 at bargain pricing.
I wish I saw this video two months ago, it appears that both the Helios and the Jena are cheaper when bought with one of these slrs... I may need a second copy!
Thanks for your video. I love prakticas (and zenits too btw). The silver coloured top and bottom part of Prakticas are made out of plastic though not metal as you'd mentioned. (I agree it looks and feels like metal but it isn't)
This is a fantastic video! If possible, can you show internet address for some BIG British "used gear" dealers? I bet, in London alone, there must be a couple of dozen shops with this gear sitting on a shelf right now! 😀🐱 Better feed that hungry cat!
This site lists quite a few: lightbox.photo/posts/where-to-buy-film-cameras-in-the-UK.html Zorki (the cat) is constantly pestering me for food - I've tried to get him into photography but he shows no interest!
I miss being able to drop my film off at a grocery store and pick it up the next day, getting double prints and paying less than $10. The last time I shot film was in 2016, and it took 3 weeks and cost $30. My hope is that with renewed interest in film maybe it will get a little cheaper.
I know what you mean, and it's not just cost, the skills are dying out too - I've recently had negs back that weren't dried properly, with scratches to the emulsion...
A 2.8 50 mm lens is very slow. If youre shooting available light (without flash) its not enough. The best in my opinion as a photographer, is the Pentax. The lens is fast (1.4) and being a Super Takumar, it is a very fine lens. I owned one years ago and it took very sharp photos. I I did only available light, whether outdoors or inside and it was perfect. I only used Tri X Pan film by Kodak (black and white). If you get a slow lens, youll need a flash, which is only going to complicate things if youre a beginner, especially if you shoot color.. Flash is a completely separate subject, which you need to learn if you want to get great pictures. So Id say skip it until you get really good without it and you find out if youre really interested in learning to use flash.
f2.8 is a bit slow it's true, but the Industar 61 (f2.8) served me well for many years as a youngster! The trick is to shoot within the limitations of the equipment I guess.
Unfortunately the image quality of the 35mm film cameras was pretty lousy according to the standards of today (maybe 6MP of resolution, low sharpness, lots of film grain). In my opinion it makes much more sense to use medium format film cameras, since the image quality of these cameras is still impressive today (>40MP, low grain, shallow depth of field). My choices would be for example the Mamiya 7II or the Penxtax 67II, a Hasselblad or a Mamiya RZ67.
Resolution depends on film speed of course, but yes, I think 35mm film may have been exceeded by digital in terms of outright resolution. Having said that, I've not seen any reliable measurements made...
@@zenography7923 It doesn't really matter at all imho if it's 4,6, or 10 MP. Fact is the resolution of 35mm film is very low. May I show you for comparison two of my medium format results? See for yourself, if this is an image quality that you like. For me this is what film should look like and I can achieve this look only with a medium format camera (here TMAX 400 film and XTOL developer, 2nd image Efke820 IR film and XTOL): www.dropbox.com/s/v6ygu8tewkxe6cw/img_TMY2_XTOL_821.jpg?dl=0 www.dropbox.com/s/q38y7jqx7dz9kb3/img_Ekfe820IR-XTOL1p1_415%20edit%20printprep%20duplex.jpg?dl=0
(I'm still enjoying the video!) I do get the "feeling" that your from "across the pond"! I have no idea how to translate Pounds into Dollars, and since I've never even heard of some of your examples, I'm thinking they might be very tough to find over here on the West Coast of "the colonies"! 😉
Yep, I'm across the pond alright! I would think most, if not all of the major manufacturers sold their products in the USA, but I'm not sure about the former Eastern Bloc stuff...
Check on ebay or I have picked up examples of all from shopgoodwill *dot* com -- beware of occasional outrageous shipping and handling charges from shopgoodwill
Zenography I bet your right about that gear being sold over here at one time, but I think it's just a question of "How many units" were sold. As I said, I've never even heard of, let alone seen some of the nice gear in your video. And, like anything of good quality, if it still works, why sell it! I'll spend more time on ebay. This gear has to be out there somewhere.
The local camera shop is selling Pentax K1000 with a 50MM lens for $250.00 . I'll keep Spotmatic as no way am I spending that much for a K1000 when I sold my Pentax ME Super Program for $100.00 in 2007 after I had not used it in two years after buying a Pentax *istDL digital camera which I still own and is selling $ 20.00 on the used market
Film camera prices do seem to have risen quite a bit in recent years; I think people have realised that this magical technology is to good to just forget about. Hang on to that Spotmatic - it's a really nice machine.
Yeah -- for some reason the K1000 is hailed as a great "beginner's" film camera and commands high prices anywhere now. But the whole range or Spotmatics are fun to use and each model has its own quirks. I have way too many (F, SP, SPII, the odd H models) and my only real complaint is I have yet to find an accurate (even with real 1.3v batteries) meter....
@@aengusmacnaughton1375 The K1000 was my first "real" camera and I adore it, still love using it and agree with it's fame, however it is absolutely and totally overpriced these days, I can't recommend it to anyone for that reason alone unless you find it well under $/€50. My personal suggestion for absolute bargain beginner camera would be the Praktica MTL-5, to me the east German K1000. Absolutely reliable, same battery, joy to use, at least here in Germany on every flea market for €10-20, more often than not with the "all you need" Pentacon 50mm 1.8 already attached to it.
From a south-east European perspective: over here Practicas are way overpriced, at least those nice samples in working condition without too much dust and fungus inside. Can't say anything about Chinons, those cameras are quite a rarity over here. And yes, you can find Fed's for next to nothing, at least for now, all do I'll personally always give a nod to Zorki cameras, which cost about the same. And last but not least, Spotmatics cost about the same...
Funny, before watching this video I was digging out my FM2, FE2, F3N HP, F4S , Leica M2, M3 and M6 and giving them an apologetic look and cuddle. Shame this bloody digital has killed the film. Just watch a few so called ' reviews ' of those cameras by people who know nothing about photography to realize how shallow they are. Makes my blood boil. Thank you for taking the trouble of making this presentation.
@@zenography7923 Thank you, I spared you the mention of my Hassleblads, mamiya 6X7s and the two Wista 5X4 field cameras that I have. Thinking that I once used to use them regularly makes me sad and meloncholy. Inspired by your enthusiasm, I took the M2, loaded with Kodak double X cine film, coupled with a 35mm F2.8 Summaron for a walk round Altrincham today. What a joy to operate a full mechanical camera of 1960 vintage in total silence. Something that fits within my hand without feeling that I am about to become an Olympic shot put contestant like my D800. LOL
I like the Zenit SLRs, but I don't think they're quite as nicely finished as the Prakticas - also, there's no focusing screen in the Zenit, which I find I need as time passes!
Funny -- I have had the exact opposite luck -- Zenits with issues and Prakticas that work fine -- but that's what happens with 30-40-50+ year old tech!
1. Praktica PM3. (M42 screw mount, made in Jena, DDR.) Zeiss-designed lenses.
2. Chinon CE-4. (Pentax K bayonet mount, automatic or manual exposure.) "GAF by Chinon"
3. Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. (M42 screw mount, early through the lens metering.) Radioactive Takumar lenses!
4. Fed-4 (M39 Leica screw mount, Selenium light meter.) Pride of the Ukraine.
I really miss the days of film. It was a real acquired skill that turned a concept into a startling image. Spending a good part of a day shooting and an all night exercise in developing the film are fondly remembered. In all my moves my box of film camera equipment has never been left behind...
Well worth keeping, I always love coming back to film!
I still shot on Praktica FX2, it was camera that my great grandfather bought back in 50s. It amazes me that it stills goes strong after almost 70 years of use. Only thing I need is to buy pentaprism for it, but waist level finder is fun too.
Enjoy!
Amazing
My dad bought me chinon camera. I was taken on in an advertising studio. When the tall ships race set of from Liverpool. My boss heard about my “little camera” and told me to bring it along. We only shot 5x4 plate or medium format my little camera with a 300 mm lens on zipped up and down the river Mersey and the shot I took ended up on tv adds and bill boards. Nearly 4 decades ago. Nice camera.
The tall ships race, that takes me back! I too was there to see the start!
Chinon were entirely original, and the most under-rated SLRs of all time. I own the CE-4s (like yours, but with the addition of a Judas Window). There's also the CE-5 with a top speed of 1/2000th and only 2x LR44 batteries, rather than the CE-4's 3. Pentax used the rubberised silk shutter for a long time - the last model introduced with it was the MX in 1978, but the K1000 continued into the 1990s.
Thank you for an inspiring video, it's good to see that there are photographers out there that still love these cameras and still use film.
Film photography is a tactile experience that the digital photography era can never replace.
I recently found five exposed 15 year old 120 format films that I didn't get around to having developed until now, the images some taken on a Holga and some on a Hassellblad were still amazingly good and brought back memories of the actual moments those images were taken and almost forgotten.
Keep up the good work.
It must have been wonderful to see those images appear at last!
I own a Spotmatic F. Great camera. Paid $45 USD about two years ago. And it came with the SMC Takumar 55 f/1.8 The lens alone is worth more than that. It also came with the original manual, original leather case, and some vintage flash gear that I imagine was used with it back in the day. The "F" edition does have the cold shoe. Meter still works too, about 75% of the time. :-)
The meter on mine's a bit tricky too, lovely camera though!
Excellent video as usual these old cameras are brilliant.
If we want Monochrom. We get ourselves a nice black & white film :)
My first SLR was a Practica LTL3. I bought it in 1976 as part of a three lens kit. Was so proud of it.
I have a rebranded chinon cs-4, it's a very good camera. It was also the first one I bought so it has special memories for me.
Cool video. Thanks. My very first 35mm SLR was a Pracktica Nova 1B. Keep up the good work.
Excellent video - again. I could listen to this channel all day. Especially like the lens reviews.
Thank you!
I truly appreciate and enjoy hearing your review, I have a Spotmatic and still use it, I also have a Minolta and recently bought a 1970's Nikon.
Many thanks, very glad you enjoyed it!
Nice video.IMHO Oly OM-1 is another top for experienced photographers.And Pentax P30 for people who know only how to push button.Because of reliable exposure automatic shots will only depends on film & composition.
Chinon were exclusive to Dixons. I had a CS - very good camera.
Praktica Nova 2, was my first SLR back in the mid 90s, completely agree about the positioning of the shutter release. I still have mine along with a large collection of Lenses. I do shoot more digital now, I shoot a lot of dance photography and the ability for continuous shooting is great. I recently bought a mount adaptor for my Nikon DSL’s, and love using some of the m42 Mount lenses
It's a funny thing, I never appreciated dance until I shot a music video a few years back - after that, I got it!
Nostalgic reviews. My first camera was a Praktica LTL, and my dad had a Honeywell Pentax. Both good cameras, although I eventually traded in my Praktica for a Nikon F (which I still have). Worth noting (other folks here have mentioned) I think both the Praktica and the Pentax I used had stop down metering -- you had to close the lens aperture down to take a reading, and sometimes that made for a pretty dark viewfinder! Which made picture taking a little more measured -- my routine was roughly frame, focus, stop down, check meter, stop back up, check focus again, take picture (-;. I believe both also used PX625 mercury batteries, no longer available, which I haven't found a great replacement for.
The shooting routine was certainly slower on those cameras with stop down, strangely enough though I sometimes find it quite a good experience to shoot in a slower, more measured way. It's one of the reasons I enjoy using the Barnack Leicas.
Enjoyed your video. I happened to find a mint condition leather cased made in Germany Kodak Retina with an Ektar f 3.5 50mm lense. A 80 year old man in my congregation who has his own photography studio, I showed him the camera he knew all about it.
That retina sounds lovely, hope you're enjoying it!
I still have my Practika TL1000 from the 70's in its carry case, i haven't used it in years. My grandson Marshall is doing an art course in college and they starting with all aspects of b&w photography and needed an analogue camera It had to " look modern though" so I chose a Minolta Dynax 303i which turned out to be in immaculate condition throughout for peanuts. I was so impressed I bought another this time a Minolta Dynax 404i again immaculate throughout for 13 GBP, chuffed is not the word. I decided to go back to using film in particular b&w and rather fancied a 1960's camera as well just for fun. After a lot of searching I went for a make I didn't know after a bit of research, it is a Beirette K with case as advertised,
it won't be here until next Monday or Tuesday fingures crossed, a back to basics camera at a cost of 12.95GBP inc postage, I cant wait to get started. I hope it is as good as advertised. A camera I liked a lot was the Zorki 4 aeons ago, over the years I have had dozens of cameras.
The later film SLRs are real bargains at the moment - though I'm not sure how long that will last... grab one now, before everyone cottons on!
@@zenography7923 Unfortunately I now have the collecting bug :-) Looking more for style at the minute, the AKW Arette Super P looks interesting, as does the Werra Mat, so much choice! and did I mention the Penti cameras,oh hell :-) It's all your fault :-)
Good overview of these, thanks!
And, since you tube suggested this video to me, I've gone and looked at the other stuff you've posted. Quite a lot to watch and learn from!
One thing I think worth keeping in mind about these--or any other old camera/lens--is that they *are* decades old and that means there is not often any way to be certain about any previous maintenance or damage. So, buying them is always a bit of a gamble. A gamble worth taking, I think, but still a bit of a risk.
That said, I have been happiest with the FSU rangefinders, and there were really only two things about the FED4 I did not like: rewinding was pretty slow and annoying. Secondly is that it does not have strap lugs. And I wouldn't trust any leather case as old as these are to carry the camera with. That camera can be plenty capable and looks pretty good but while I have owned and used most of the FSU rangefinders over the years, The one I still have and use is a very nice 1955 Zorki 3m. That one I did send off to be serviced so it ought to be good to go for the foreseeable future.
Thank you again for this video!
I like the Zorki 3 and 3m very much; very nicely made and arguably the best looking of the FSU rangefinders.
My parents bought me a Chinon CE4 about 40 years ago. The K-mount was great. Cheaper than the Pentax bodies at the time but with more features. The dial on the front is a 5 or 10 second countdown timer with an LED. There is also a depth of field preview button just beside the lens, and on the top deck there is a double exposure lever near the winder.
They also made a fantastic powerwinder that went under the camera with the grip and shutter release on the grip. The winder had three dials: 1) single or multiple shots, 2) an intervalometer, 3) a shot limiter. After firing through the first roll or two the shot limiter became very important, as well as the intervalometer - taking 8 shot at 4s made a good car race sequence. I've had two of them and both have failed and can't be repaired anymore.
The downside was that the camera had to have three watch batteries to work and with the powerwinder on the countdown times is hard to get at. But I really liked the camera and still have it.
I was very surprised by this little camera - very nice indeed!
Mesmerizing video and cool camera selections. Definitely going for one or two of these!
My first camera was a Praktica, a gift from a professional photographer who had a few Leicas. I now have 3 Pentax Spotmatics. Excellent video, thanks.
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Have a Spotmatic F. Wonderful, solid camera that feels so good in the hand.
That's a very nice old camera! Enjoy!
These cameras will become more expensive after this video which is great for me as I sell these cameras! Keep it up buddy
What you have and what is your price ?
Chinon were a manufacturer in its own right. Starting just after WWII they were eventually purchased by Eastman Kodak. The only major thing I would point out for potential buyers of these cameras is to make sure the light-years are sound. Most use foam rubber that deteriorates with time. Of those four I would pick a Spotmatic every time, the build quality being better than the rest by far.
Mine needs new seals, an irksome job but I'll do it eventually. No such problems on the Prakticas, which have a string (I think) seal that doesn't degrade.
I had a Chinon in the day, it was ok and could take a beating,,,,, eventually parted with it when I got the Canon AE1 program, the ultimate prize I thought at the time. I do like what Fuji is doing today trying to mix old and new together.
The Fuji mirrorless cams are really tempting, especially with the film simulations!
I still have a couple of Pentax K1000, a Pentax P30, a Nikon FM2 with titanium shutter, a Nikon F801, a Nikon F90 with drive, various lenses and some I still occasionally use today. The old Nikon f1.4 50mm gets used sometimes. :-)
That sounds like a very nice collection!
All fun to watch. I have several film cameras. Even if I find a processor they want to scan the negative and print it digitally. Who prints light through negative onto paper? I don't know of one close to me.
There are only a few labs left who do this - I think there are one or two in London, if you're in the UK...
I really enjoy your videos, and shoot many of the same cameras and lenses. If I could make a suggestion for a future video, how about the Kodak Retinette 1B? Made in the late 50s and early 60s, loads to choose from, a German built fixed lens rangefinder, wonderful to look at, tactile and best of all it takes great pictures. Cost from £5 to £30 on ebay etc. I'd say that just about sums up the ethos of your channel. Oh and to tickle your fancy, lovely bokeh and misty blur. Go on, you'll love it.
Thanks, an interesting suggestion!
Thanks for the advise. I think I'm going for a Praktica and maybe a Pentax Spotmatic. Lots of M42 lenses to combine from them.
You can't go wrong with M42!
@@zenography7923 just bought in the meantime a MTL3 Praktica without lens. Next week I will decide which Zeiss lens to buy, probably a later Tessar for start
I've actually grown to like these cheap options so much that I often prefer using them over the more known brand cameras I also own. My absolute go-to camera right now with M42 thread is a Cosina under the German "Porst" label, with a an "Olympia"-labeled Cosinar 35mm lens that outperforms many other lenses I own in terms of sharpness. I can only recommend looking for those relabeled options to save some additional money, often there are really nice cameras behind them and they're easier to find than the original. Cosina cameras and lenses are great and at least in and around Germany can often be found as "Porst" cameras, who also had a lot of great Fujica cameras. They are everywhere on ebay and flea markets, while the original is almost unknown here. "Revue" is another huge German reseller that is worth looking at, they were probably the largest reseller of Prakticas, although original Prakticas are so cheap it's not really worth getting the Revue version - the original looks much nicer too.
Great tips, thank you!
Several years ago, I found a new in box Practika MTL on ebay for $20. I added it to my collection of these lovely cameras. Noisy, but solid.
Oh, nice!
I have two Spotmatics, one of which is a Spotmatic F. Fantastic cameras.
When I was in the military in Thailand, the BX carried several cameras, and everybody was buying a camera to take back home with them. I couldn't make up my mind, because they all seemed great. The salesguy at the BX told me that if I really wanted a great camera, go with the Nikon Photonic FTN. I asked him what it was, and he said it was the National Geographic photographer's choice in cameras, but when they came in, they were quickly sold out. I asked him if he would reserve one for me, and he said on two conditions - that I have my money ready and within 2 hours of his telling me about it.
I told him I was ready to buy it. It cost a lot more than the other cameras, which were quite good, by the way. I finally bought and used it for many years. It traveled wit me in the military and civilian life thereafter, to college and several countries. Regrettably, I sold the camera in Seattle to a Nikon enthusiast. I think of the four cameras compared above, I'd buy the Asahi Pentax, also known as the Honeywell Pentax.
I too had a photomic - eventually sold it and regretted doing it too! The FM I have now is a lovely camera though...
@@zenography7923 Yep. Great camera. I graduated to a Canon DSLR, but now have a Sony a7sii with 3 lenses. Can't seem to get away from big heavy glass.
Thank you for a great video, encouraged me to dig out my old practica again complete with unused roll of ilford b/w, use by date 1999☺. Might give it a try for an experiment ..
Cheers and thanks again for reminding me of the fun you could get from these great , well made cameras
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I cut my teeth on a Pentax in Japan back in the 60s/70s. Note that you will seldom find one labeled Asahi Pentax in the US, Honeywell had the import rights. But GIs did bring some home.
I have a Sears-branded Chinon (KSX-P Dual Program) and it's a great camera! In fact it's the only one I have with easy double exposure mode.
They're nice little cameras, no doubt about it!
Nice one, thanks. I've had two of those, Spotmatic and FED 4, both great. The shutter on the Spotmatic is indeed rubberized (silk, I think), but I think the (now very old) shutter is its weakness. I've had two (one from new, bought in the 60s) and in both of them the shutter eventually failed. Still, lovely camera if you can find a good one. (My favourite FED, btw, is the FED 2)
@Boomer Galactica My FED 4 performed well - shutter was smooth and reasonably accurate, and the lens mount to film distance tolerance was close enough. The meter seemed to be working OK, but I didn't actually use it - a modern handheld meter is a lot more sensitive and more accurate than an old selenium meter. I've had several FED 2s (still have one) and again the shutters were good (which is about all a Fed 2 has really).
I would recommend the Mamiya M42 and later K mount cameras. The Mamiya DTL series for example unlike the Spotmatic actually has both a spot and center weighted meter. I want to like the Prakticas but I have had several and they all failed catastrophically in fairly short order. The Zenits are a bit dim because of an undersized mirror but they run forever with the reliable Leica shutter.
Prakticas can be delicate, but I've not had one fail yet! I'll look out for the Mamiya, it sounds interesting...
I still have the Chinon CE-4 and Pentax ME Super, with a few K series lenses. The Chinon exposes a little more accurately than the Pentax. Although I haven't used either for years, I did put in some batteries a while back to see if they were still OK and they were. So they're staying with me, just in case I fancy running some Ektachrome through them.
I think the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic has the edge! Fantastic film camera!
Very nice machine, and beautifully made too!
Great video as ever! I picked up a spotmatic 2 (I think ) last month with a super multi coated 50f1.4 and a Jena 135 for 80 quid. I only bought the bundle for the lenses really, because I never really took to the film era. I might just go out there with a roll and see what comes back. 😏
Good idea, give it a go and see how you like it. And you got such a bargain there, it would be a shame not to put a roll or two through it!
I liked the video , as always. I own a Chinon CE 4 and a CE 5.and very happy with both of them. Also I am struggling with Russian cameras as a result of watching your videos, I have a Zorki 4 K and recently a Zorki 1. There is a love and hate relationship with them but I enjoy them in a different way than all the other "conventional" cameras I have. Good results wich is what matters, in the end. Thanks.
Results are what matters, no doubt about it. The Zorkis are very simple, essentially pre-war cameras, but that's what I like about them. They require more concentration to use than modern gear does, but I find them, and others like them, to be a purer experience. Once you get used to them they can give very nice results.
Well produced video and calm talking voice 👌
Thank you!
Top job our kid!
Thanks!
It’s been a long stinking hot day, couldn’t sleep turned on mobile and your video clip came up: You made my day my friend. Those cameras sell for a lot more here in Australia on eBay and the postage is around $50 for over seas orders. Anyway thank you
Oh, what I wouldn't give for a long hot day, with some sunlight! Here in the UK we've got horrible grey clouds probably several miles high, no colour to anything, awful for photography. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Zenography Having gray weather for an extended length of time would be depressing. Having stinking hot days full of humidity is the same lol. I feel for both of us: But gray sky’s would be great for B&W street photography wouldn’t it
I don't want to sound like a camera snob but, as you point out, the Pentax Spotmatic range were I feel a cut above the others you show here. I good friend of mine who used to have a Praktica sold it and replaced it with a new Spotmatic F and he said just the feel of the smooth Takumar focusing was a totally different experience. my first quality camera was a Spotmatic II bought new so I will admit I am biased. I still use in BTW.
The Pentax is certainly a little better made and finished than the Praktica, but the Prak still makes great images - and it's cheap!
According to the Chinon:
It may have the same shutter as a contemporary Cosina.
Burt only later with the CP-Line and its variation of the K-Mount the more simple Models became rebranded Cosinas.
Coo talk about nostalgia! My first camera was a Praktica MTL3. Now I need to go out and get one again!
Boomer Galactica thanks! It was! I had access to a darkroom at school at the time, so shot 100% B&W which I learned to develop and print myself when I git the chance to.
Nice video! I am from this era and my first slr was a Praktica MLT3b, after that one i had a few Pentaxes of which my Pentax meSuper was the best. Than i switched to Nikon because i went to study photography and everyone was on Nikon or Canon these days. I had a FM and FE and i still have a F301 in mint condition. Later i got myself a F801s which i still have and my latest buy was a D80. I kept them all except the Pentax and i still regret that i sold that one.
The D80 was a very nice camera, I had one for a while before buying a D90, but the colours on the D90 never seemed as good!
I am looking to buy one of these camera. Can you provide link
All the cameras in this video were bought from sellers on ebay. Just go to the 'Film Photography' section and search.
I still have my Contax RTS2 with a Zeiss 100mm F2 (Special portrait lens), can't sell these because they wouldn't give peanuts for a $5,000 duo. I also have the motor drive and a Vivitar 70-210 zoom lens. Thanks for these few pages of history. I'm always on the lookout for a Leica M1 at bargain pricing.
Wish I could find one of those for peanuts!
Thanks for this video
I wish I saw this video two months ago, it appears that both the Helios and the Jena are cheaper when bought with one of these slrs... I may need a second copy!
They do seem to be cheaper on camera bodies, much of the time anyway!
Thanks for your video. I love prakticas (and zenits too btw). The silver coloured top and bottom part of Prakticas are made out of plastic though not metal as you'd mentioned. (I agree it looks and feels like metal but it isn't)
It really does look and feel like metal - thanks for the correction!
This is a fantastic video!
If possible, can you show internet address for some BIG British "used gear" dealers?
I bet, in London alone, there must be a couple of dozen shops with this gear sitting on a shelf right now!
😀🐱 Better feed that hungry cat!
This site lists quite a few: lightbox.photo/posts/where-to-buy-film-cameras-in-the-UK.html
Zorki (the cat) is constantly pestering me for food - I've tried to get him into photography but he shows no interest!
I love your videos. Subscribed for sure
Thank you, glad you're enjoying them!
I miss being able to drop my film off at a grocery store and pick it up the next day, getting double prints and paying less than $10.
The last time I shot film was in 2016, and it took 3 weeks and cost $30.
My hope is that with renewed interest in film maybe it will get a little cheaper.
I know what you mean, and it's not just cost, the skills are dying out too - I've recently had negs back that weren't dried properly, with scratches to the emulsion...
wonderful!
Thanks!
Ricoh. Especially the XRP. Great lenses, right up there with the best. Pentax K mount. Cheap on eBay.
I'll check them out!
@Boomer Galactica Shutter, or aperture, or full auto programmed!
watching this video is the antidote (short term) against the release of Leica's new Monochrom
:)
A 2.8 50 mm lens is very slow. If youre shooting available light (without flash) its not enough. The best in my opinion as a photographer, is the Pentax. The lens is fast (1.4) and being a Super Takumar, it is a very fine lens. I owned one years ago and it took very sharp photos. I I did only available light, whether outdoors or inside and it was perfect. I only used Tri X Pan film by Kodak (black and white). If you get a slow lens, youll need a flash, which is only going to complicate things if youre a beginner, especially if you shoot color.. Flash is a completely separate subject, which you need to learn if you want to get great pictures. So Id say skip it until you get really good without it and you find out if youre really interested in learning to use flash.
f2.8 is a bit slow it's true, but the Industar 61 (f2.8) served me well for many years as a youngster! The trick is to shoot within the limitations of the equipment I guess.
I have my mint condition Pentax LX and loads of gear in a box. Haven’t touched it in about 15-20yrs.
Maybe it's time to take it for a spin! I always enjoy coming back to film.
Nice!
Thanks!
Unfortunately the image quality of the 35mm film cameras was pretty lousy according to the standards of today (maybe 6MP of resolution, low sharpness, lots of film grain). In my opinion it makes much more sense to use medium format film cameras, since the image quality of these cameras is still impressive today (>40MP, low grain, shallow depth of field). My choices would be for example the Mamiya 7II or the Penxtax 67II, a Hasselblad or a Mamiya RZ67.
Resolution depends on film speed of course, but yes, I think 35mm film may have been exceeded by digital in terms of outright resolution. Having said that, I've not seen any reliable measurements made...
@@zenography7923 It doesn't really matter at all imho if it's 4,6, or 10 MP. Fact is the resolution of 35mm film is very low. May I show you for comparison two of my medium format results? See for yourself, if this is an image quality that you like. For me this is what film should look like and I can achieve this look only with a medium format camera (here TMAX 400 film and XTOL developer, 2nd image Efke820 IR film and XTOL):
www.dropbox.com/s/v6ygu8tewkxe6cw/img_TMY2_XTOL_821.jpg?dl=0
www.dropbox.com/s/q38y7jqx7dz9kb3/img_Ekfe820IR-XTOL1p1_415%20edit%20printprep%20duplex.jpg?dl=0
(I'm still enjoying the video!)
I do get the "feeling" that your from "across the pond"!
I have no idea how to translate Pounds into Dollars, and since I've never even heard of some of your examples, I'm thinking they might be very tough to find over here on the West Coast of "the colonies"! 😉
Yep, I'm across the pond alright! I would think most, if not all of the major manufacturers sold their products in the USA, but I'm not sure about the former Eastern Bloc stuff...
Check on ebay or I have picked up examples of all from shopgoodwill *dot* com -- beware of occasional outrageous shipping and handling charges from shopgoodwill
Zenography
I bet your right about that gear being sold over here at one time, but I think it's just a question of "How many units" were sold.
As I said, I've never even heard of, let alone seen some of the nice gear in your video. And, like anything of good quality, if it still works, why sell it!
I'll spend more time on ebay. This gear has to be out there somewhere.
can u review the Ihagee exa Dresden
I'd be glad to. if I had one! Perhaps one will come my way someday...
I've got Chinon CM 5 with a data back!
That sounds cool!
The local camera shop is selling Pentax K1000 with a 50MM lens for $250.00 . I'll keep Spotmatic as no way am I spending that much for a K1000 when I sold my Pentax ME Super Program for $100.00 in 2007 after I had not used it in two years after buying a Pentax *istDL digital camera which I still own and is selling $ 20.00 on the used market
Film camera prices do seem to have risen quite a bit in recent years; I think people have realised that this magical technology is to good to just forget about. Hang on to that Spotmatic - it's a really nice machine.
Yeah -- for some reason the K1000 is hailed as a great "beginner's" film camera and commands high prices anywhere now. But the whole range or Spotmatics are fun to use and each model has its own quirks. I have way too many (F, SP, SPII, the odd H models) and my only real complaint is I have yet to find an accurate (even with real 1.3v batteries) meter....
@@aengusmacnaughton1375 The K1000 was my first "real" camera and I adore it, still love using it and agree with it's fame, however it is absolutely and totally overpriced these days, I can't recommend it to anyone for that reason alone unless you find it well under $/€50. My personal suggestion for absolute bargain beginner camera would be the Praktica MTL-5, to me the east German K1000. Absolutely reliable, same battery, joy to use, at least here in Germany on every flea market for €10-20, more often than not with the "all you need" Pentacon 50mm 1.8 already attached to it.
@@chrissoclone -- The Pentax SP1000 is very similar to the K1000, except that it uses the M42 lens mount -- and costs a lot less!
@@aengusmacnaughton1375 Mercury battery. :(
I have a Praktica MTL-3, seems like a good sturdy camera so far. It seems like the East Germans built these cameras to last.
A very nice little camera - enjoy!
@@zenography7923 I have and hope to use it in the near future!!!
Zen Master- "They will deliver the grainy stuff." :-)
Indeed they will!
Cat meow at 4:17?
Yes, he's a very vocal fellow and wanted his voice to be heard!
From a south-east European perspective: over here Practicas are way overpriced, at least those nice samples in working condition without too much dust and fungus inside. Can't say anything about Chinons, those cameras are quite a rarity over here. And yes, you can find Fed's for next to nothing, at least for now, all do I'll personally always give a nod to Zorki cameras, which cost about the same. And last but not least, Spotmatics cost about the same...
Interesting how prices vary in different countries, thanks for the info!
Funny, before watching this video I was digging out my FM2, FE2, F3N HP, F4S , Leica M2, M3 and M6 and giving them an apologetic look and cuddle. Shame this bloody digital has killed the film. Just watch a few so called ' reviews ' of those cameras by people who know nothing about photography to realize how shallow they are. Makes my blood boil. Thank you for taking the trouble of making this presentation.
My goodness you have some nice cameras there! Glad you enjoyed the video.
@@zenography7923 Thank you, I spared you the mention of my Hassleblads, mamiya 6X7s and the two Wista 5X4 field cameras that I have. Thinking that I once used to use them regularly makes me sad and meloncholy. Inspired by your enthusiasm, I took the M2, loaded with Kodak double X cine film, coupled with a 35mm F2.8 Summaron for a walk round Altrincham today. What a joy to operate a full mechanical camera of 1960 vintage in total silence. Something that fits within my hand without feeling that I am about to become an Olympic shot put contestant like my D800. LOL
Chinon CM-4s anyone?
Yen.na, not Gen.na.
Nicer than a Zenit? no way ever, I have 3 all leak light and 1 will not wind on, detest the brand Prak, I'll stick to Zenit never once let me down.
I like the Zenit SLRs, but I don't think they're quite as nicely finished as the Prakticas - also, there's no focusing screen in the Zenit, which I find I need as time passes!
Zenit sucks!
Funny -- I have had the exact opposite luck -- Zenits with issues and Prakticas that work fine -- but that's what happens with 30-40-50+ year old tech!
Is your day job funeral director?
:)
Film is so expensive now.
If you buy bulk bw there are still bargains to be had!
Don’t buy fed. Please
Why not? They're such nice little cameras!