A Little BackgroundI am not sure where to start this article. Should it be a discussion on the merits of Lomography? Should it be about how Soviet camera manufacturing influenced the photography world or simply about the LOMO LC-A which is what I originally intended? (Mine is badged Zenit LC-A). Let’s see how this goes….
Author: Bob Giles
Olympus OM-10
IntroductionI think it is fair to say that I have a few vintage cameras. Certainly not as many as a lot of collectors but certainly more than your average ‘Happy-Snapper’! However, I must confess that I have never owned an Olympus camera – that is until now. I chose to bid on this particular camera…
Another Look At Panoramas
IntroductionIt will come as no surprise when I say that there are numerous cameras available that allow the film user to shoot panoramas. I guess that the daddy of them all amongst 35mm and medium format cameras is probably the Hasselblad Xpan. Friends and anyone that will will listen will tell you that I have…
Thoughts on the Minolta Freedom Zoom 140EX Panorama Date.
IntroductionThe Minolta Freedom Zoom 140EX Panorama Date compact camera, There’s a mouthful! The name might accurately describe this camera but was it really necessary to include all its functions in the name? I guess that those entrusted with the marketing of this interesting compact camera felt the need to differentiate it from the ‘bog-standard’ Minolta…
Another Bronica – The Bronica SQ-Ai
Introduction I have had a bit of a love affair with Bronica cameras for many years but it took me until 2019 before I ever owned my first one, an ETRS complete with speed grip and AE II prism finder. Since then, I have acquired a further ETRS body, an assortment of lenses and accessories…
It’s Quiet, Oh So Quiet! -The Minolta A-5
I have had this Minolta A-5 for a little while now but only just got around to testing it. As the title of this article suggests, it is extremely quiet to use and makes an ideal candidate for street photography. I tested it with a short roll of Fomapan 100 bulk film developed in XTOL….
My Argus ‘AF’ – An American Masterpiece?
I must confess to being rather taken with the ‘Art Deco’ period with its simple, clean shapes, often with a “streamlined” look. This has previously been reflected in some of my vintage camera collection, specifically in my four Flexaret twin lens reflex cameras. Although they were built in the Art Deco style they were not…
Fed 5 and its Radioactive Industar 61 L/D Lens!
I always attempt to source vintage cameras within the European Union and if possible in Greece so as to save on shipping and Customs duty. It is rare that I find anything in Greece but I have recently sourced a Fed 5 from Athens. It was described as ‘film tested’ and ‘fully functional’. I am…
Voigtländer Vito IIa
I have often heard that vintage Voigtländers are built like Volkswagens. Personally, I think that they are built like a combination of a Volkswagen, Mercedes and Audi! They were built to last; they are very well designed and they ooze quality! Let’s not forget that Voigtländer have been making cameras since 1849 and the company…
Everyone Deserves Some Luck!
I belong to many Facebook photography groups and frequently feel left out when members display their recent finds in flee-markets and charity shops as we have nothing like that in Corfu. I usually resort to auction sites and Facebook Marketplace to enlarge my collection of vintage camera gear. However I think I struck lucky when…