Reading National Geographic, 1982 January edition

Couple months ago I picked up 30 years old National Geographic 1982 January edition.  I was interested in article about the Berlin Wall and was wondering how the Wall was seen back then, long 7 years before its fall. What a fascinating reading! But, as a photographer and practical collector,  I also spotted one camera ad in the magazine and it was the "Wildlife as Canon sees it".

After digging internet I found that, according to Wikipedia, it was the FIRST Canon's ad featuring new F-1 in National Geographic. The only other recognizable picture of the camera in that edition was....

Back to film in new year?

Last weekend I scanned some of  my old negatives and slides that were taken about 10-12 years ago, just before I got my first digital camera. Back then I was using a lot of old cameras, expired films and cheap lenses. I didn't have auto-this and auto-that and enjoyed the simplicity of old mechanical cameras and manual focus lenses. It was so much fun like I never had after with any of digital cameras or, may be, I was just twelve years younger :)

 Christmas CAT. Nikon FM2. Fuji Velvia 50.

I was using Epson V700 and SilverFast 8 SE to scan everything from 35 mm to 4x5. Enjoy!

A ray of sun in my garden

It lasted only couple minutes after weeks of grey skies. No snow yet. Strange.

Thanks,
vkphoto

An old pocket watch

Taken with Fuji X-Pro 1 and Tamron Zoom Macro 85~210 f/4.5

Thanks,
vkphoto

Tamron Zoom Macro 85~210 f/4.5

Yesterday I got a call from a gentleman who sold me Tokina RMC 28-85 zoom lens couple weeks ago. He said that he found another relic in his attic and wants to give it away to me for free. This time it was Tamron Zoom Macro 85~210 f:4.5 BBAR Multi C. It came with Adaptall 2 for Minolta MD mount, in pristine condition with manual, protective filter and carrying case.

According to Tamron this lens (model Z-210) was introduced in 1973 at  ¥ 33,800 (about $400) price tag and had 12 elements in 9 groups. Not bad. 
I couldn't find any additional information or reviews about this lens other than this manual , so I did my own tests and was very much surprised with the outcome.

Garden. Still raining.

Green and brown, no snow yet. Taken with X-Pro 1 and Minolta MD 200 mm f/2.8

vkphoto

RMC Tokina 28-85 f/4 zoom lens

Couple days ago I was at the local yard sale and spotted new (to me) zoom lens, RMC Tokina 28-85 1:4. I bought it because it had fixed f/4 aperture, Minolta bayonet (compatible with my MD-FX-NEX adapters), cost me only $10 (including manual, 72mm protective filter, both caps and carrying case) and had some kind of cool red letters on the front barrel. The lens was in pristine condition and I was very curious to try it.

I couldn't find any lens reviews on the internet,  so here is my own.

"After the rain" jewelry

Not important: Fujifilm X-Pro1 and MD Rokkor-X 85 mm 1:1.7

Earring

Shooting with Polaroid 195

Polaroid 195 was introduced in 1974 as a professional camera and arguably was one of the best Polaroid camera ever. It was extremely well built, supplied with fast 114mm f/3.8 Tominon lens (by legendary Tomioka)  and very high quality central shutter (Copal, Compur ?). On the picture you can see it with mechanical self-timer attached.

Even today it works like a charm with Fuji instant film and Type 100 from the Impossible Project.

Minolta XE-7. My new favorite film camera.

I don't remember when I was last time so excited about used film camera.   

Couple days ago I came across Minolta XE-7 (aka XE-1 in Europe) in excellent cosmetic and working condition. I have never seen one before and had no idea what this camera is about. But I was so impressed with top notch design, high quality materials and excellent workmanship that I bought it on the spot.