I began test shooting with some more recently restored medium format cameras. Two Agfa Isolettes, and a Yashicaflex TLR. I use to own a Zeiss Ikoflex TLR, but me trying to shoot my 2.5, and 1.5 year old grandchildren left me laughing so hard I couldn't hold still. I am both too slow, and in too much of a hurry at the same time. However, it didn't stop me from taking on another TLR to restore. The copy I choose did not work - film advance, shutter, focus knob, - nothing worked. I have always regretted selling my Zeiss Ikoflex Ia. So, meet my next victim all documented with the 55mm f3.5 ai micro. It's all back together and loaded with film, but I employed lens cleaning techniques I would never recommend.
Yesterday nothing worked, after cleaning & fiddling it all works, but I don't like the look of the lenses
Here I disassembled the lens - and this was after the cleaning the front element twice
Look at the right focusing element an almost varnish like material was on front elements & the inside rear element
After aggressively cleaning the disassembled lens - bit worried, but hopeful
James Markus wrote:
I began test shooting with some more recently restored medium format cameras. Two Agfa Isolettes, and a Yashicaflex TLR. I use to own a Zeiss Ikoflex TLR, but me trying to shoot my 2.5, and 1.5 year old grandchildren left me laughing so hard I couldn't hold still. I am both too slow, and in too much of a hurry at the same time. However, it didn't stop me from taking on another TLR to restore. The copy I choose did not work - film advance, shutter, focus knob, - nothing worked. I have always regretted selling my Zeiss Ikoflex Ia. So, meet my next victim all documented with the 55mm f3.5 ai micro. It's all back together and loaded with film, but I employed lens cleaning techniques I would never recommend....Show more →
Haven't posted here in a while, but just realised I was using some MFNG recently. All taken with the F2AS. Usually stopped down to f11 or f16, so not really highlighting the rendering of the lenses.. I still love the small size and standardized 52mm filter thread of manual Nikon lenses!
Hats off to you Jim. Challenging job for sure and good to see those old beautiful cameras back in action!
G
James Markus wrote:
I began test shooting with some more recently restored medium format cameras. Two Agfa Isolettes, and a Yashicaflex TLR. I use to own a Zeiss Ikoflex TLR, but me trying to shoot my 2.5, and 1.5 year old grandchildren left me laughing so hard I couldn't hold still. I am both too slow, and in too much of a hurry at the same time. However, it didn't stop me from taking on another TLR to restore. The copy I choose did not work - film advance, shutter, focus knob, - nothing worked. I have always regretted selling my Zeiss Ikoflex Ia. So, meet my next victim all documented with the 55mm f3.5 ai micro. It's all back together and loaded with film, but I employed lens cleaning techniques I would never recommend....Show more →
Incredible scenery and well captured Felix. I always enjoy seeing parts of the world I will never see in person. Thanks for sharing!
George
fjablo wrote:
Haven't posted here in a while, but just realised I was using some MFNG recently. All taken with the F2AS. Usually stopped down to f11 or f16, so not really highlighting the rendering of the lenses.. I still love the small size and standardized 52mm filter thread of manual Nikon lenses!
fjablo wrote:
Haven't posted here in a while, but just realised I was using some MFNG recently. All taken with the F2AS. Usually stopped down to f11 or f16, so not really highlighting the rendering of the lenses.. I still love the small size and standardized 52mm filter thread of manual Nikon lenses!
James Markus wrote:
I began test shooting with some more recently restored medium format cameras. Two Agfa Isolettes, and a Yashicaflex TLR. I use to own a Zeiss Ikoflex TLR, but me trying to shoot my 2.5, and 1.5 year old grandchildren left me laughing so hard I couldn't hold still. I am both too slow, and in too much of a hurry at the same time. However, it didn't stop me from taking on another TLR to restore. The copy I choose did not work - film advance, shutter, focus knob, - nothing worked. I have always regretted selling my Zeiss Ikoflex Ia. So, meet my next victim all documented with the 55mm f3.5 ai micro. It's all back together and loaded with film, but I employed lens cleaning techniques I would never recommend....Show more →
fjablo wrote:
Haven't posted here in a while, but just realised I was using some MFNG recently. All taken with the F2AS. Usually stopped down to f11 or f16, so not really highlighting the rendering of the lenses.. I still love the small size and standardized 52mm filter thread of manual Nikon lenses!
Wonderful landscape work Felix. I find your processing spot on.
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GeorgeBo wrote:
A few more with the 3.5cm/1.8 at f/2 or wide open. I like the rendering in these conditions. I feel it is a very capable lens that is definitely a contrast (pun intended) from the "clinical" images of modern glass. Plus these 70 year old lenses are so small and compact and adapt with very thin adapters due to the flange distance of 34.85mm vs 46.5mm of F mount glass.
George
Whatever the difference is called, I like the impact to the image. I really need to see if I can come close with PP using RAW files (at least the contrast part), my brain says yes, so it must be the grey matter behind the lens that's the problem.
Yes, was happening very frequently but not recently. Mainly when I was using my iPad. Was to the point I would copy my text before reply so I could paste it back after the time out.
AdaptedLenses wrote:
Anyone else have replies time out and it erases the text?
That one saved after 3 tries. Felix, very nice, George as well. And Ray, thanks but I can’t take credit, she just wanted to climb…
kwoodard wrote:
I have a Yashikamat and a Zeiss Ikon that need help.
Kevin, I am not a camera repair person - I just boldly go where I have no business going, because it is my stuff, and I don't like pretty paper weights. My mistakes can disappear in the circular file, and no harm is done. If I were to work on someone else's camera, and things go wrong - you wouldn't even have a pretty paper weight to show for it. I just thought I may have learned something recently that may help you with the Ikoflex. The Ikoflex Ia has a really complicated shutter release, cable release, self timer, double exposure lock, and ARE ALL SOMEHOW MECHANICALLY CONNECTED. My first Ia never jammed once. This one has locked up three times,, and there is a specific procedure to get it back to working condition. Zeiss constantly changed the shutter release after the Ia - probably because of all the problems it caused.
Yashica has two guys I found that were recently doing CLAs
BLLX wrote:
Did a quick test shot of my daughter. It seems softer than the AF-D version @1.4
I really like the rendering - but need to do some more testing
Yes Morten, I have both lenses as well, and my impression is that the (larger/heavier) AF-D version is indeed a bit sharper wide-open, but the OOF rendering of the Ai-S lens is, to use a subjective term, creamier. They did used to call the 85/1.4 Ai-S "The Cream Machine". Personally, I'm not the biggest 85mm fan, but the 85/1.4 AF-D was my very first AF lens as I got a good deal on one. I now prefer shooting with my 28/1.4 AF-D for AF purposes, and then using MF lenses for mid-telephoto shots. I did pick up a 105/2 DC lens which I have yet to really use in anger, so looking forward to seeing if that is a good experience, but many folk are claiming its AF is not so reliable.
If I was only going to keep one of my 85mm lenses, it would probably be the Ai-S one as it is mechanically lovely, a bit smaller, and I didn't find the AF-D lens to really help me with low-light focusing to the degree I had hoped for a fast mid-telephoto.
I have my critter head shot rig at the ready, and Barb is throwing them curve balls on the menu. Yesterday it was a bunch of green grapes and this was the first critter to discover them.
AdaptedLenses wrote:
A couple from the 3.5cm F/2.5 S. These were from Easter morning and I sort of forgot about them. After sunrise service they let us stay and poke around Fort Caswell for a bit.
These are excellent! the one with the sneakers is true art.
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