My Dad had a Pentacon FM, shot Adox & Tri-X, and made 10 x 8's of me and my brother as kids in the late 1960's and onwards. The Pentacon was his camera until he got a Nikon FM some time in the 1980's. ( he must have liked FM name ;-) )
I myself also have a couple of cameras and lenses that were made in east Germany After all the obscure business that took place after the reunification of Germany, it is amazing that a few companies like ORWO have survived to this day.
I just received a Pentacon FB….. I have used several of the non light meter versions….. the Pentacon ZI/Contax D…. They both had minor shutter issues, but of course the good CZJ Tessar, or other lens are sharp and fine! Will test my FB, which came with film in it, (but who knows what, or how old) and see how it does…. Mine has a working selenium meter! Thanks for trying this baby out! As always…. A quality video & subject matter!
When we got there there was a couple doing a nude shoot in the church. Giving the walkers a surprise. I think J change din the church and walked up the hill in normal clothes, its going back a bit now.
Thank you so much for the shout out Ollie! I'm glad to have helped you in some way, please keep up these "analysis" of old cameras, they're incredibly interesting! Cheers
I have two of the Pentacon F’s, one is designated Pentacon ZI, for Zeiss Ikon. The cloth shutter on these cameras, is often a weak spot, although mine fire okay, but speeds can be erratic. Never the less, they are very cool, and at the time..... innovative, and unique! It is said that with their “new” fixed pentaprism, that their camera design, became a standard look of cameras, for many decades, if not even to the present. Thanks for trying one of these out, and yes, find and try out a good Biotar lens!
I came close to getting one of those Pentacons at Photographica a few years ago and regret not buying it. That 58mm f2 Biotar is a superb lens. You use it very well and it always helps to have a beautiful subject to shoot. Keep up the great work.
When in good working condition these are actually quite nice to walk around with. Having serviced my own, it's reasonably smooth, but even the focus was a bit off between the film and the screen. Also, The diaphragm actuator is operated by the release button, and the mirror release is separate but triggered at kinda the same time as the shutter, so 1) you can ease the release to do mirror pre-release, and 2) using pre-set lenses makes the release slightly lighter. I wouldn't worry about using the Biotar when a good era of Helios 44-2 preset lens can be bought on an old Zenit for less than just a lens.. which when combined with good light and E100, can still surprise non-camera people who judge everything by modern standards.
I'm not a fan of light leaks, however in this instance they added to the other worldliness of the latter photographs. I respect your willingness to experiment and possibly to fail given the equipment you're utilising. Thank you once again for a different take on photography than the run of the mill youtube films. Keep on releasing unique material such as this series, I've enjoyed every one so far.
Another great video. Love the locations you choose for your photographs and the otherworldly feeling you capture no matter which camera you are using. Great work - thanks.
" Normally I like to get as much out of my film as I can " My record to date is 41 frames from a 36 Exp. roll. Nice video and I think the errors just add to the results.
Hi, surely 35mm film is still available? Great stuff anyway. How about trying your hand with a Brownie Box (I have one received as a present years ago along with a roll of film, I'll have to dig it out and see what results I can achieve) and the Kodak 127. Both cameras I used in the 50s. I am sure you will get better results than I did!
It was a idea on the. Row now that started all this, it’s here on the channel but it didn’t go so well, I did make another video walking through london with a brownie and and Ensign. That’s on here as well
Hello, I have experience with these cameras and have restored a Contax D once. The cameras all have the same problem: The sealing cloths are broken. The coating is ineffective. You have to have the closing cloths changed. Only very few workshops do that in Germany.
Have you ever shot a barn door Voigtlander rangefinder Oli? I have one but it’s in my queue of cameras to shoot with. As an aside, I always tape up old cameras that I haven’t shot before with masking tape. Saves potentially ruining a roll of film. That said, I did make some unexpected ethereal shots with a little Chinon rangefinder with which I just loaded up and shot. Meh. Love your videos man 👍📸
My Dad had a Pentacon FM, shot Adox & Tri-X, and made 10 x 8's of me and my brother as kids in the late 1960's and onwards. The Pentacon was his camera until he got a Nikon FM some time in the 1980's. ( he must have liked FM name ;-) )
These cameras have a lot of sentiment behind them I have a broken Nikon FM that was dads
I myself also have a couple of cameras and lenses that were made in east Germany
After all the obscure business that took place after the reunification of Germany, it is amazing that a few companies like ORWO have survived to this day.
I just received a Pentacon FB….. I have used several of the non light meter versions….. the Pentacon ZI/Contax D…. They both had minor shutter issues, but of course the good CZJ Tessar, or other lens are sharp and fine!
Will test my FB, which came with film in it, (but who knows what, or how old) and see how it does…. Mine has a working selenium meter!
Thanks for trying this baby out! As always…. A quality video & subject matter!
Went there today along with a visit to the abbey, it's amazing - kudos to Jamie for getting up that path in that outfit!
When we got there there was a couple doing a nude shoot in the church. Giving the walkers a surprise. I think J change din the church and walked up the hill in normal clothes, its going back a bit now.
Thank you so much for the shout out Ollie! I'm glad to have helped you in some way, please keep up these "analysis" of old cameras, they're incredibly interesting! Cheers
Your welcome
I have two of the Pentacon F’s, one is designated Pentacon ZI, for Zeiss Ikon.
The cloth shutter on these cameras, is often a weak spot, although mine fire okay, but speeds can be erratic. Never the less, they are very cool, and at the time..... innovative, and unique! It is said that with their “new” fixed pentaprism, that their camera design, became a standard look of cameras, for many decades, if not even to the present.
Thanks for trying one of these out, and yes, find and try out a good Biotar lens!
The shutters do seem to be a weak point on these. But they are still fun cameras
I came close to getting one of those Pentacons at Photographica a few years ago and regret not buying it. That 58mm f2 Biotar is a superb lens. You use it very well and it always helps to have a beautiful subject to shoot. Keep up the great work.
Thank you, I think the lenses are quite variable in terms of condition.
When in good working condition these are actually quite nice to walk around with.
Having serviced my own, it's reasonably smooth, but even the focus was a bit off between the film and the screen.
Also,
The diaphragm actuator is operated by the release button, and the mirror release is separate but triggered at kinda the same time as the shutter, so 1) you can ease the release to do mirror pre-release, and 2) using pre-set lenses makes the release slightly lighter.
I wouldn't worry about using the Biotar when a good era of Helios 44-2 preset lens can be bought on an old Zenit for less than just a lens.. which when combined with good light and E100, can still surprise non-camera people who judge everything by modern standards.
Thanks, I imagine they are really nice, when working nicely
I'm not a fan of light leaks, however in this instance they added to the other worldliness of the latter photographs. I respect your willingness to experiment and possibly to fail given the equipment you're utilising. Thank you once again for a different take on photography than the run of the mill youtube films. Keep on releasing unique material such as this series, I've enjoyed every one so far.
I’ve spent years having to take “perfect” pictures the freedom to fail is liberating.
Another great video. Love the locations you choose for your photographs and the otherworldly feeling you capture no matter which camera you are using. Great work - thanks.
Your model is Gothic Hilarious... don’t stop, keep shooting!
Never a dull moment
" Normally I like to get as much out of my film as I can " My record to date is 41 frames from a 36 Exp. roll. Nice video and I think the errors just add to the results.
Awesome, I can usually 50 off a roll of 120 before breakfast. So long as you like double exposures😂
@@olitography lol!
I knew you meant business when you pulled out the white gloves 🤣🤣🤣
Hi, surely 35mm film is still available? Great stuff anyway. How about trying your hand with a Brownie Box (I have one received as a present years ago along with a roll of film, I'll have to dig it out and see what results I can achieve) and the Kodak 127. Both cameras I used in the 50s. I am sure you will get better results than I did!
It was a idea on the. Row now that started all this, it’s here on the channel but it didn’t go so well, I did make another video walking through london with a brownie and and Ensign. That’s on here as well
Just discovered your channel! Love your passion and presentation! Great content and history!
Thank you kindly!
Best photography channel ever !
Ta! Covid
Hello, I have experience with these cameras and have restored a Contax D once. The cameras all have the same problem: The sealing cloths are broken. The coating is ineffective. You have to have the closing cloths changed. Only very few workshops do that in Germany.
Have you ever shot a barn door Voigtlander rangefinder Oli? I have one but it’s in my queue of cameras to shoot with. As an aside, I always tape up old cameras that I haven’t shot before with masking tape. Saves potentially ruining a roll of film. That said, I did make some unexpected ethereal shots with a little Chinon rangefinder with which I just loaded up and shot. Meh. Love your videos man 👍📸
I haven't no, taping up can help, but as you say sometimes its good to see what happens
Great video, always like the human elements (pun intended) that keep these things alive!
I was thinking anyone who happened to be passing by might just be spooked out if they saw your model in black, I know I would !
50mm pentacon on my praktica was decent. the only issue was the dark viewfinder.
I agree, she would of scared the shit out of them
With or without that outfit?
Quanto costa una cámara,pentacon?
EUR 118.80