Astlog

I realise that my tumblog has become a boring blog about nothing but camera gear. I can’t help...

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:51:07 -0400

I realise that my tumblog has become a boring blog about nothing but camera gear. I can’t help it is my favorite hobby to the point where I could almost call it an obsession.

I’ve been thinking about all the money I’ve spent on computers and other stuff that I don’t really need and can’t help but think of the kit I could have if I had put it into lenses and stuff for my cameras.

I think I’ll be selling some of my Nikon gear including my D90 and see if I can’t pick up some more modern Leica lenses.

More lenses to add to my collection eventually: Cosina Voigtlander 28mm f/3.5 Color Skopar Zeiss...

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:47:32 -0400

More lenses to add to my collection eventually:
Cosina Voigtlander 28mm f/3.5 Color Skopar
Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2
Some sort of 90mm lens. Hopefully a Leica Elmarit 90mm f/2.8 for cheap.
Leica Summaron 35mm f/2.8.
Maybe a fast 35mm lens too.

A shot from work of one of the towers guy wire buttresses.

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:32:11 -0400

A shot from work of one of the towers guy wire buttresses.

My M2 and I.

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:27:05 -0400

My M2 and I.

New Gear

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:11:09 -0400

Got my new camera and new lenses today.

The Zorki is beautiful. Not a scratch on it and everything seems to work good. The Jupiter 8 looks good and and everything seems to be smooth. The aperture ring is pretty loose but it isn’t bad. Here is a picture:

I also received my Leica Elmar 5cm f/2.8 M mount today. It is in really good shape except some cleaning marks on the lens and a tiny spot in the coating. The collapsible lens is very cool and absolutely tiny when collapsed into the body.

And here are a couple more pics of my M2:

This one is now my desktop picture.

Here is the ISO selector on the back of the M2:

Yet more gear to add to the ever expanding collection: a Zorki 6 camera with Jupiter 8 lens. The...

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:43:31 -0400

Yet more gear to add to the ever expanding collection: a Zorki 6 camera with Jupiter 8 lens. The Zorki is a former Soviet Union made camera that is based off the Leica II and III thread mount camera. The Jupiter 8 is a 50mm f/2 lens based off of the Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2. I’m eager to get the camera and lens to see how different the feel of an FSU camera will be.

Also took the M2 to the Patriot II Transatlantic hot air balloon site and then to Aroostook State Park for some photos. That damn trail at the park damn near killed me again. I’m going to hike the whole trail by the end of this summer even if it really does kill me!

Ordered some more lenses tonight. Leica Elmar 5cm f/2.8 - A classic Leica lens for the M mount. I...

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:00:33 -0400

Ordered some more lenses tonight.

Leica Elmar 5cm f/2.8 - A classic Leica lens for the M mount. I found the collapsible lens too tempting to not buy. This’ll be my only Leica made lens for my camera.

Jupiter 12 35mm f/2.8 - This is a classic Russian made Leica thread mount lens. I got this on eBay from a seller in Russia after being recommended by jym on Ars Technica. I had to buy a 35/135 Leica Thread Mount to M Adapter.

The Plan Part 2

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:07:00 -0400

The plan went into effect and I am now the proud owner of a Leica M2 built August 6th, 1958. There really is nothing like shooting a Leica. I own 9 other cameras and this is worlds apart. I’ve dropped my first roll off at Walmart and I can’t wait to see what I got with it. I’m eager to get out and shoot with it but the damn weather up here won’t cooperate.

The Cosina Voigtlander 50mm is a pretty nice lens. I’ve got a roll in the Leica that will be its test roll and will hopefully get it finished up tomorrow because the weather is supposed to improve.

Here is the beauty with the CV 35mm f/2.5 and Voigtlander VC II meter:

Here is the top of it:

Much like the shamwow it is made in Germany and so it must be good.

The Plan

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:34:12 -0400

As I’ve mentioned before I have what they call Gear Acquisition Syndrome when it comes to cameras. Well I’ve decided to buy the camera that may put and end to that - a Leica. I can’t afford a new Leica of any sort but I can get a used one for fairly cheap. So that is what I am going to do. I’ve found a good deal on a Leica M2 and I’ll be ordering tomorrow. I’ll also be adding a Voigtlander 50mm f/2.5 lens to my collection for it as well.

I was also considering a screwmount Leica like the IIIf but decided that a camera that old might be a bit of work to use. I’ll probably end up getting one someday.

I got my Rollei 35 S from Koh’s Camera today. It is in excellent condition and came with...

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:52:00 -0400

I got my Rollei 35 S from Koh’s Camera today. It is in excellent condition and came with the lens cap, case, and wrist strap. It even came with the manual.

I also received my film that I ordered from B&H a few days back. I got some more Ilford HP5+ 35mm film and I also got my Efke KB50 35mm rolls. I’m interested in how the Efke shoots since it is a very fine grain 50 iso film.

The other big news is that I started an inventory database in Bento for all my film to keep track of quantity and such. I’m hoping it can help me remember which film I used and sent out to get developed as well.

Rollei 35 Flickr Group

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:48:36 -0400

Rollei 35 Flickr Group:

This is the excellent Rollei 35 group on Flickr.

Rollei 35

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:47:30 -0400

Rollei 35:

Here is some info on my beloved Rollei 35 at Wikipedia.

I have an addiction to cameras I think. I’ve added two more cameras to my collection both of...

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:54:08 -0400

I have an addiction to cameras I think. I’ve added two more cameras to my collection both of which are different versions of the Rollei 35 compact camera. I love my Rollei 35 cameras because of their size and construction. They are works of art and take great pictures thanks to their Zeiss designed lenses.

One of the Rolleis is a B 35 model. This was the beginners model which is plasticky and has a three element Triotar lens. I wanted it for the more basic lens which should have more distortion than my regular 35 an it’s 4 element Tessar.

The other one is a 35S which was the higher end model. It is supposed to be a bit better built and it has a five element Sonnar lens. It is supposed to be tack sharp and contrasty. Also it is a bit faster at f/2.8 where the others are f/3.5.

Now I just need to figure out how I am going to split the workload between them.

I apparently have a hit on my hands with this photo I took yesterday: I’ve always been...

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:03:00 -0400

I apparently have a hit on my hands with this photo I took yesterday:

I’ve always been interested in reverse lens photography. This was taken by holding a reversed Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D lens up to my Leica D-LUX 4 and focusing in on the tab on a Dr. Pepper can.

I’m trying to figure out how to get enough money together to buy a large format camera outfit....

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:10:00 -0400

I’m trying to figure out how to get enough money together to buy a large format camera outfit. I figure I can get a basic one together for about $2000. I’m thinking I might sell off my D90 to help me get close to that amount but I’m not too sure. I’m kind of reluctant to get rid of the camera that really got me into photography but I hardly ever use it these days.

My top 20 most interesting photos according to Flickr.

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:08:21 -0400

My top 20 most interesting photos according to Flickr.

Yesterday I went on a trip to Baxter State Park again to hike the Sandy Stream Pond trail. I wanted...

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:22:36 -0400

Yesterday I went on a trip to Baxter State Park again to hike the Sandy Stream Pond trail. I wanted to get a little further than I did the first time but the trail is still pretty bad. It wasn’t entirely made of fail though. I got to see a bull moose at Big Rock view on the trail.

I have a ton of film to send in to be developed. I’m sure it’ll be expensive again but I can’t find any place up here that’ll do it.

Here is another one.

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:28:39 -0400

Here is another one.

A pic I took with the iPhone at the Park.

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:27:34 -0400

A pic I took with the iPhone at the Park.

I took my Bronica ETRSi out for a hike in Baxter State Park. That was the first time I did any real...

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:26:32 -0400

I took my Bronica ETRSi out for a hike in Baxter State Park. That was the first time I did any real photography with it. It wasn’t easy since I have the waistlevel finder on it so it doesn’t have a meter. That adds a bit if prep time to get a photo from the camera and with that place is loaded with mosquitos. Still i took 32 shots with it on the Sandy Creek Pond trail.

I also brought my Rollei 35 camera for some fun shots. I love that camera! It is a lot of fun to use and it takes great pictures.

The trail I took was beautiful. I couldn’t get too far because I didn’t wear my boots and the trail was soaked. I’m hoping the pictures I took come out good after braving the soaked trail, the mosquitos, and carrying a three pound camera around my neck.