This is the Minox 35GL, manufactured circa 1979 and reportedly the smallest 35mm full-frame camera at the time. The controls are laid out well, even for someone like me that has larger than normal hands. The hardest part about using the Minox 35GL is finding correct batteries. Shots came out way sharper than I expected;…
New Ferrania P30 – A (Mostly) Failed Experiment
I shot a roll of new Ferrania P30 (given to me by Adam Paul) with care. My Olympus OM-1n was the reliable camera of choice. Film specs? You can read the box as well as I. Knowing it was part of the first batches of film to come out of the factory after numerous delays made…
Kodak Instamatic 500
This camera, the Kodak Instamatic 500, was made in Germany between 1963 and 1966. It is the high end of the Instamatic line. Its clean design is solid and attractive, in a Werra sort of way. Make Kodak Model Instamatic 500 Year 1963 – 1966 Format 126 Shutter Compur Speed B,1/30 – 1/500 Lens Schneider-Kreuznach…
Arsenal Kiev 4A
This is another great Arsenal Kiev rangefinder, a camera that is great to use just like it’s sibling the 4AM. Paired with the Jupiter-8M lens, it is forgiving enough to be a daily shooter. The fine-tune focus wheel is a welcome feature and made it easy to quickly compose shots. Make Arsenal Model Kiev 4A…
Foth Derby Type 3
I knew virtually nothing about the Foth-Derby except that a friend of mine had one and found the camera intriguing. When one became available at a price too good to pass up, I snapped up this little 127 viewfinder camera. The Derby feels well built, except for the viewfinder which looks like it would be…
Kodak Retina I (Type 148)
The collection of Retinas continues to grow. This example was picked up at Central Camera in Chicago on my first trip to that photogenic city. As usual, the build quality is exceptional. The Type 148 feels very similar to the Type 126 in my hands but feels slightly heavier. More details will be forthcoming once…
Lomography Fisheye 1
The Lomography Fisheye 1 is a paragon of photographic engineering excellence. No, I can’t say that with a straight face. The tape I used to get a roll of UltraFine 100 film to adhere to the take-up spool (and subsequently fell off), laughable frame counter, and build quality of McDonald’s Happy Meal toy makes that…
Pentax Auto 110
The Pentax Auto 110 is a tiny beauty that is a joy to shoot with. It is a perfect SLR in a tiny package. The viewfinder is bright and the camera is dead simple to use. That being said, I am not horribly impressed with the results. Already enamored with the ME Super, this Auto 110…
Canon demi EE17
I love the way this camera looks, as I do most half-frame shooters, though my favorite by far is the Olympus Pen-F, also introduced in 1963. The viewfinder is bright and controls easy to use. Although, as with many Japanese cameras the focus throw is short, utilizing roughly 1/6 of available ring space. Film advance…
Olympus Pen-F
What can I say, I have lusted after an Olympus Pen-F for a while. I have a weakness for half-frame cameras and the Pen-F is the pinnacle. When one became available from Japan, at a price I could live with, I snapped it up. Everything works, and works well, on this Pen-F. The controls are precise…
Carl Zeiss Werramat
I didn’t know what to expect with the Carl Zeiss Werramat, originally purchased due to its clean design and unique lens cover. Equally interesting is the rapid-wind and cocking action initiated by twisting the ring at the base of the lens. Surprising to precisely no-one is that optics on the Tessar f2 50mm lens are…
Arsenal Kiev 4AM
No, 4AM is not the preferred time to use this camera, rather the model of this great Arsenal Kiev rangefinder, a camera that is a joy to use any time of day. Paired with the Jupiter-8M lens, some remarkable pictures can be captured. Despite initial issues with wayward fingers blocking the rangefinder window, the 4AM…
