So we are into lists again, are we?? Okay, why not, it's Sunday and I'm at home scanning old 120 negatives...
Current lot of MF -
One Rolleiflex 3.5E2, 75/3.5 Zeiss Planar. Bought new (well, as a demo) in 1966. Serviced two times. Still used a few times a year. Taking lens has spa of separation, it looks like a small egg,but it doesn't seem to affect my images.
Two Rolleiflex Ts, black bodies, bought as new in the 1990s.Zeiss Tessars. Serviced one time each The shutters are a little unreliable, but I've figured out a workaround to get them to operate, so I would say 95% reliable. Used regularly (I'll go on using them until my stocks of 120 film run out, then it's off to the cabinet shelf they'll go), entirely with 16 exposure kits. A heap of accessories.
One Rolleicord Vb, bought in 2019 from a deceased estate. A wonderful camera. The Xenar lens has a remarkable 'look'. Also used with a 16 exposure kit, I have a 24 kit but have used it only one time. The Rolleiflex T accessories fit this camera, so it's a good user.
0ne Zeiss Nettar with the nice direct ('albada') finder, from about 1950. Synchro-Compur shutter, Novar lens. Good to carry in a pocket when I want to go lightly.
One Voigtlander Perkeo I with the legendary Color Skopar lens. I don't use this babe as much as I should, but I will this (Australian) autumn is here early this year and it's cooler to go on day trips and bush walks.
The list of MF cameras I used to have is much longer. Yeshiva TLRs in the 1960s, a Linhof Technika kit in the '80s, a Bronica 6x6 in the '90s. Too many Hasseblads, the best two were a 501CM and a 500CM. The Els I'm still trying to forget. Several lenses, all early ones, contrasty and good but servicing cost too much. Unloaded the lot in 2012-2015. Lost a little money, of course. No regrets.
If I had kept $100 or even $50 from every other MF camera I've bought and sold in my time, I would be a rich man. But who learns these things until it's all done with??
Current lot of MF -
One Rolleiflex 3.5E2, 75/3.5 Zeiss Planar. Bought new (well, as a demo) in 1966. Serviced two times. Still used a few times a year. Taking lens has spa of separation, it looks like a small egg,but it doesn't seem to affect my images.
Two Rolleiflex Ts, black bodies, bought as new in the 1990s.Zeiss Tessars. Serviced one time each The shutters are a little unreliable, but I've figured out a workaround to get them to operate, so I would say 95% reliable. Used regularly (I'll go on using them until my stocks of 120 film run out, then it's off to the cabinet shelf they'll go), entirely with 16 exposure kits. A heap of accessories.
One Rolleicord Vb, bought in 2019 from a deceased estate. A wonderful camera. The Xenar lens has a remarkable 'look'. Also used with a 16 exposure kit, I have a 24 kit but have used it only one time. The Rolleiflex T accessories fit this camera, so it's a good user.
0ne Zeiss Nettar with the nice direct ('albada') finder, from about 1950. Synchro-Compur shutter, Novar lens. Good to carry in a pocket when I want to go lightly.
One Voigtlander Perkeo I with the legendary Color Skopar lens. I don't use this babe as much as I should, but I will this (Australian) autumn is here early this year and it's cooler to go on day trips and bush walks.
The list of MF cameras I used to have is much longer. Yeshiva TLRs in the 1960s, a Linhof Technika kit in the '80s, a Bronica 6x6 in the '90s. Too many Hasseblads, the best two were a 501CM and a 500CM. The Els I'm still trying to forget. Several lenses, all early ones, contrasty and good but servicing cost too much. Unloaded the lot in 2012-2015. Lost a little money, of course. No regrets.
If I had kept $100 or even $50 from every other MF camera I've bought and sold in my time, I would be a rich man. But who learns these things until it's all done with??