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As usual I've been neglecting the blog. I didn't realize it had been a full 90 days. As of today I am in 'self isolation' for the foreseeable future. I may have had an exposure at work; I have a sinus infection but it may be something more. Waiting on the test results. Back in… Continue reading Quarantine, Day 3
Beth and I took the Auto-Eye to Cape Ann on a photowalk with the Greater Boston Film Photographers meet up group. We shot HP5 and color, but the color is still at the lab. The Auto-Eye is the only rangefinder I've ever used which also has zone focus. Brackets on the focusing scale and notches… Continue reading Olympus Auto-Eye – Week 82 results
Introduced in 1960, the Olympus Auto Eye is a fixed - lens rangefinder with shutter priority auto exposure. It features a 45 mm f2.8 lens. Shutter speed is selected on the lens barrel, and metered aperture is shown on a rotating dial inside the viewfinder. Mine was a last minute steal on a ShopGoodwill.com auction.… Continue reading Week 82 – Olympus Auto Eye
As I've journeyed through my camera collection, some stand out as icons of their class. For rangefinders, it's my M3 and M6. In SLR, the Nikon FM2 & FG, Minolta SRT200 & XG9, and strangely my Chinon CM7. Box cameras? Brownie Hawkeye. TLRs would be a Yashica, probably the D. Polaroid? Spectra and 250. In… Continue reading Canonet QL17 GIII – week 77 results
The Canonet QL17 GIII was the last of Canon's fixed lens rangefinders. Manufactured sometime in the 1970's, it has a 40mm lens and aperture priority automatic exposure. The QL designation indicates a quick-loading film system, while the 17 indicates a maximum aperture of f1.7. The Canonet range also included a QL19, QL25, and a Canonet… Continue reading Week 77 – Canonet QL17 GIII
Sometimes a camera just seems to shoot itself. The Minister III has nice balance, a bright rangefinder, and a smooth feel to its controls. I blasted through a full 36 exposure roll in no time and sent it off to the lab. I spent a bit of time planning an in-depth review of the camera,… Continue reading Yashica Minister III – Week 65 Results
The Yashica Minister III is a fixed lens rangefinder from the early 1960s. I have been unable to pin down an exact date, but the previous Minister II was introduced in 1962. It features a 45mm f/2.8 lens with a coupled rangefinder.The selenium meter cell is located inside the filter ring on the face of… Continue reading Week 65 – Yashica Minister III
Every Leica enthusiast has a favorite model. The evolution from Barnack to M9 means there is probably a spot where your favorite combination of features was in production, and the cross-compatibility of most lenses lets you use your favorite glass. I haven't found that sweet spot yet, but it may be the M6 for me.… Continue reading Leica M6 – week 52 results
As week 52 marks the end of my first year of 52 Cameras, I decided to close the loop with my other Leica. Introduced in 1984, the M6 was an evolutionary step in the rangefinder line which began with the M3 in 1954. Primary differences are a rewind crank instead of a knob, a quick-loading… Continue reading Week 52 – Leica M6
It occurred to me recently that I hadn't showcased any of my Polaroid pack-film cameras. They are uniquely physical and satisfying to use. My collection includes a pair of cameras with family history; Dad bought the 230 when he returned from the army, and Gramp bought the 220 for a trip to Bermuda. As it… Continue reading Week 50 – Polaroid Automatic 103
Notes from Mosquito Hill 