This is my second Mamiya – my other is the Mamiya Korvette. The Korvette was a fixed lens SLR similar to the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex and Voigtlander Bessomatic. This 500 DTL is a more ‘standard’ SLR with an M42 (Praktica, Pentax) lens mount. Top plate layout is as you would expect: film advance, frame counter, … More Mamiya/Sekor 500DTL
This is a heavy fixed lens SLR from Japan. It has a leaf shutter in the lens rather than the focal plane shutter most SLR cameras have. This uses the same system as used by Zeiss Ikon with their Contaflex cameras and Voigtlander with their Bessamatic cameras. In the case of the German cameras, they … More Mamiya Korvette (aka Family)
This is my second electronic Praktica – the other is the BC1. It has minimal controls – essentially the aperture – making it a very easy camera to use. lens: Prakticar MC focal length: 50 mm apertures: f/2.4 to f/16 focus range: 0.45 m lens fitting: Praktica bayonet shutter: metal focal plane speeds: 1 second … More Praktica B100 electronic
This is a 35 mm viewfinder camera from the Soviet Union. It is not quite a point-and-shoot but not far off. There are the usual settings of shutter speed, aperture and distance, but no light meter or rangefinder. lens: Lomo T-43 focal length: 40 mm apertures: f/4 to f/16 focus range: 3 feet to infinity … More Cosmic 35 (aka Smena 8)
Welta were a relatively minor camera manufacturer – at least when compared to the likes of Zeiss Ikon and Voigtländer. Their cameras do not appear for sale so often and seem to attract generous prices at auction. lens: Steinheil Cassar focal length: 50 mm apertures: f/2.9 to f/16 focus range: 1 m to infinity lens … More Welta Weltix
This is a Chinese camera made by Seagull. The only Chinese camera I have come across before is my Hakin Halina 30 5X. This has been prejudicing my opinion of Chinese cameras. I have never heard of the Phenix brand before but looking at a Chinese auction site, it seems that they made a range … More Phenix 205DS
Paxina 29 medium format film camera made by Carl Braun of Nurnberg. … More Paxina 29
f/ number This is a ratio of the lens’ focal length divided by the aperture diameter. It gives a measure of light transmittance independent of the lens focal length. f/5.6 (for example) on one lens will transmit the same amount of light as f/5.6 on any other lens. (but see T number) fascia A decorative … More Glossary of Photographic Terms (F to I)
This is almost certainly my oldest camera. Until now, that has been my 1918 ICA Icarette. This Ensignette was patented in 1907 – patent number 28484. This information is embossed on the front of the camera. However, I am reliably informed that the camera started production in 1909, just before Christmas and continued in this … More Houghton Ensignette
1960s fixed lens rangefider from Germany … More Voigtlander Vito CLR
make film great again
Nikolaos Douralas Photography Blog | Film & Digital
Descriptions of my growing collection of old cameras.
The Lincolnshire Artists Society forum and Information site
Photographs and stories by Jim Grey
Descriptions of my growing collection of old cameras.
Secrets & Desires
Descriptions of my growing collection of old cameras.
Vintage camera reviews, repairs and photography
The latest news on WordPress.com and the WordPress community.
