Okay, here's the new stuff....

[schrackman]

I went to go pick up the Nikon camera and stuff today, but apparently the box she was thinking of when I spoke with her yesterday actually contained a couple different cameras, lenses and accessories. She thinks she still has a Nikon and lenses somewhere so she's going to look again for me.

Thus far, this is what the box contained:

1 Praktica MTL3 SLR camera w/Pentacon 50mm f/1.8 lens attached
1 Chinon CXII SLR camera w/55mm f/1.7 lens attached
1 Polaroid Autofocus 660 camera

I know nothing of these cameras other than I'm pretty sure they were made for the budget minded back when they were made. Original cases for cameras were included. Next:

1 Pentacon 28mm f/2.8 fixed lens
1 Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 fixed lens
1 Star-D Close Up Zoom Attachment lens

1 Quantum Calcu-Flash-S light meter
1 Hannimex X333 flash
1 Ricoh close-up adapter
1 Ricoh tele converter lens TC-3
1 Panorama adapter (Kyocera Corporation)
1 Ricoh mini tripod

It's not Nikon stuff, but I'll still have fun playing with it anyway. Hopefully her Nikon stuff is tucked away in a closet somewhere that she can find it. She must have more than what she gave me because there are a few lens cases (one is Canon too) and filter cases but nothing in them. Here's a few quick pics of the entire stash of goodies.

[mjs1973]

Looks like some fun new toys to play with Ray!!!

[Old Timer]

Nice find, but I still want to know about that Nikon. Nice pics of your lout by the way.

[mtbbrian]

But where's the Nikon stuff Man!

Interesting collection so far Ray.
There's some stuff there I hadn't seen in a long time.
Like I said, if there's a Nikon RF, I'll want to talk to you..
Brian
:thumbsup:

[schrackman]

Thanks Michael, OT and Brian. I found a really old roll Kodak Gold 200 in my desk drawer and I think I'm gonna run it through the Praktica this weekend just to see what comes out, and then post some scans.

Brian, I doubt there will be an RF in the mix. From what it looks like if there is a Nikon it will probably be one of the more economical bodies. But we'll see. At least I've got a light meter now!

[walterick]

Hey Ray,

Play with that Chinon too. I have a 50mm 1.4 Chinon lens sitting around somewhere that is possibly the sharpest piece of glass I have ever used. I can't speak to the 55 1.7, but my experience says it might be worth giving it a hard look.

Have fun with it all!

Rick

[schrackman]

Yeah, I got to reading the manual and this camera seems a little bit more interesting. It can even take multiple exposures on one negative (as many times as one wants). Plus the lens is a tad faster than the one on the Praktica. It feels a little more solid too. I've got to get a battery for it tomorrow and see if I can do a whole roll in one day. Shouldn't be too hard.

Hey Ray,

Play with that Chinon too. I have a 50mm 1.4 Chinon lens sitting around somewhere that is possibly the sharpest piece of glass I have ever used. I can't speak to the 55 1.7, but my experience says it might be worth giving it a hard look.

Have fun with it all!

Rick

[almo]

Chinon's are awesome. I wouldn't mind having one myself. Don't know jack about praktica, though I have heard of them.

I see you got a Star-D closeup lens. I have a Star-D 2x teleconverter for my Pentax lenses. You are the first person I have ever known to have a Star-D anything. The optics on my teleconverter are pretty decent, though no the absolute best.

Have fun with that stuff, and give that Chinon some good use.

[Old Timer]

Yeah, I got to reading the manual and this camera seems a little bit more interesting. It can even take multiple exposures on one negative (as many times as one wants).

The multiple exposure thing is very cool to play with. My Nikon FM has multiple exposure switch. That coupled with the winder has given me some very interesting photographs. Your have fun playing with it just remember to compensate for the number of exposures.

[Axle]

nice haul there!

[another view]

Nice score! The multiple exposure thing can be a lot of fun. You will need to set the exposure differently though - for example for two exposures on the same frame, underexpose by one stop (add the two of these together and you'll be back at zero).

I have a few shots I've done where I held the camera (not on a tripod) and took several shots of the same thing. Each one registers a little differently so it looks sort of like an impressionistic painting. Been awhile, but I think I used to set the camera for three stops of underexposure and shoot nine times on the same frame...

[schrackman]

Hey Almo!

Strange thing...the close-up lens doesn't seem to fit either bodies that I got. I'm not sure if there's supposed to be some sort of attachment that goes with it, but from what I can see it should just screw right on to the body. I'm thinking that it must fit another camera this lady must have had.

Chinon's are awesome. I wouldn't mind having one myself. Don't know jack about praktica, though I have heard of them.

I see you got a Star-D closeup lens. I have a Star-D 2x teleconverter for my Pentax lenses. You are the first person I have ever known to have a Star-D anything. The optics on my teleconverter are pretty decent, though no the absolute best.

Have fun with that stuff, and give that Chinon some good use.

[schrackman]

Thanks OT, Axle and AV. I think I'm gonna wait on trying out the multiple exposure until I understand the directions a bit better (and have some better film in the camera). AV, that's a great tip. Thanks for sharing it, and I'll be sure to keep it in mind when I do try the multiple exposure.

[almo]

Hey Almo!

Strange thing...the close-up lens doesn't seem to fit either bodies that I got. I'm not sure if there's supposed to be some sort of attachment that goes with it, but from what I can see it should just screw right on to the body. I'm thinking that it must fit another camera this lady must have had.

That's odd. Maybe it's a screw mount for Pentax

Mine has the K-Bayonet mount.

[Frog]

i guess i missed your first post about this but looks like you found a treasure chest.
I have a Chinon...first slr and never had a problem with it taking some nice photos.

[schrackman]

Here's a few snapshots from today on the first roll shot with the Chinon. Keep in mind that the film was Kodak Gold 200 (yuck), and this roll is at the very least around 8 years old I'm pretty sure. Developed at Walgreens and scanned the prints @ 600dpi on an Epson 3170 and did a little color correcting in PS. I noticed that even though the meter showed an accurate exposure, the pictures were actually underexposed. I will have to compensate for that next time by overexposing a stop or two. There is also a light leak, as evidenced by a really thin line that runs straight across all prints. So new seals will be in order for this camera. These photos remind me a lot of what my parent's pictures used to look like in the mid 70s.

Oh, forgot to mention...these were taken with the 55mm f/1.8 lens. Probably should have taken the 28mm f/2.8 along with me too.

[almo]

Not bad for 8 year old crap print film. I especially like the dogs. Did you enjoy using the Chinon?

[schrackman]

Not bad for 8 year old crap print film. I especially like the dogs. Did you enjoy using the Chinon?

well, those were the best of the lot. I didn't expect much from this roll anyway. But yes, it was fun to shoot the Chinon. However, I kept accidentally pressing the self-timer. It's really in the way of your fingers when you go to take the picture, and a couple exposures were lost because of it. Also, after I finished the roll the shutter button got stuck in the down position. I now have to fiddle with the advance lever while pulling up on the shutter button to get the spring to pop back into position to keep the shutter button up so I can snap another picture. So I'm gonna have to take this camera in for a little tune up.

So, what I've done now is load a roll of Kodak b/w 400 in the Praktica MTL3. I found a site with pictures taken by different Praktica cameras/lenses and some of them are really nice: http://www.praktica-users.com/picindex.html. Gonna try to finish this roll before the weekend's over. The Praktica is actually kinda neat too. It has a lever above and to the left of the shutter button to help you check your metering. Very convenient and well placed on the body. Can't wait to see how these turn out. If they come out good, I'm gonna go get some HP2 or something like that to shoot.

[mdmc]

Congrat's on the "new" old equiptment Ray!
Do they both use the same mount? I agree that the threaded lens is prob a pentax screw mount.
I have a chinon set including a 50 35 and 135 f2.8. an early 80's kit frm sears.
Mark.
P.S
If nothing else, they'll make you appreciate your DReb a lot more!

[dobias]

Schrackman,
What would it take to get the Quantum Flash meter away from you?
If you have the owner's manual, I'd appreciate a copy of it.
dobias
dobias@chartermi.net

[schrackman]

Hi Mark,

Yes, they both take the same mount, so I am able to use all lenses on both cameras, which is a nice little benefit.

Even though I enjoy my DRebel immensely, it is a lot of fun to shoot film. I understand why now some people will not switch to digital. Of course, that's assuming they've got a decent film camera and know their way around a darkroom.

Congrat's on the "new" old equiptment Ray!
Do they both use the same mount? I agree that the threaded lens is prob a pentax screw mount.
I have a chinon set including a 50 35 and 135 f2.8. an early 80's kit frm sears.
Mark.
P.S
If nothing else, they'll make you appreciate your DReb a lot more!

[schrackman]

Hi dobias,

Sorry, but I won't be parting with the light meter. I was in bad need of one and now I finally have one. May not be the latest and greatest but it will do the job. I plan on buying some studio lights soon so I will be soon putting the light meter to work.

Schrackman,
What would it take to get the Quantum Flash meter away from you?
If you have the owner's manual, I'd appreciate a copy of it.
dobias
dobias@chartermi.net