The Mystery Camera Challenge, a fun little game we played in Season 2 where we all bring a single camera to the table, then draw names and take a stab at using the camera that the person’s who’s name we drew. Unlike last seasons, this time around we are rocking 35mm film.
Cameras Featured on Today’s Episode
Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super BC – Zeiss Ikon seemed to have a good thing going with their Contaflex line, but the Super BC is a decent addition with a shutter priority meter that is battery powered. The camera also is unique in that it takes interchangeable optics with the aperture and shutter (leaf) remaining on the camera body itself. The Super BC belongs to Mike and was shot by Bill.
- Make: Zeiss Ikon
- Model: Contaflex Super BC
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
- Lens: Interchangeable Front Element Cluster, Breach lock
- Year of Manufacture: 1965-1968
Kyocera Contax G2 – One of the world’s two auto-focus rangefinders, the other being the Contax G1. A solid performer, but not a true rangefinder as if you turn off the AF function it becomes little better than a zone-focus or guesstimates focus camera with little feedback in the viewfinder. But don’t let that stop you, quality Zeiss Licenced optics on the front. But even used these cameras carry a bit of a price tag. The G2 belongs to Alex and was shot by Mike.
- Make: Kyocera
- Model: Contax G2
- Type: AF Rangefinder
- Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
- Lens: Interchangeable, Contax G-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1996
Cosina Voigtländer Bessa R2M – The R2M gives the user a quality rangefinder experience that is pretty accessible to any photographer that knows their way around a camera. Combine that with the versatile Leica M-Mount, a solid meter with good exposure feedback. A bright viewfinder with solid parallax correction guides and easy film loading. Just watch out if you wear glasses, no built-in diopter can make it a slight pain to operate. The R2M belongs to John and was shot by Donna.
- Make: Cosina
- Model: Voigtländer Bessa R2M
- Type: Rangefinder
- Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
- Lens: Interchangeable, Leica M-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 2006
Asahi Pentax H3 – Ashai had a long line of SLRs before the Spotmatic came on the scene and the H3 is one of them. But if you’ve shot a Spotmatic, you can shoot the H3, familiar handling, solid Takumar optics, and all manual functionality makes the camera a good performer and great handling. Just watch out, age may not has been kind to these cameras. The Pentax H3 belongs to Bill and was shot by Alex.
- Make: Ashai
- Model: Pentax H3
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 135 (35mm) 36x24mm
- Lens: Interchangeable, M42 Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1960
Ricoh XR-P – When it came to Pentax clones Ricoh seemed to have it made. Which is funny, because they currently own Pentax. But the XR-P is your typical plastic camera but is solid to use, has a great meter, and has a K-Mount which opens up so many lens options, but even their own line of glass is solid performers. Combine that with an inexpensive price tag, and a slim motor drive and you got a throw-around camera. Just watch out, we are talking 1980s electronics when they go, they go. The XR-P belongs to Donna and was shot by John.
- Make: Ricoh
- Model: XR-P
- Type: Single Lens Reflex
- Format: 135 (35mm), 24x36mm
- Lens: Interchangeable, Pentax K-Mount
- Year of Manufacture: 1984
One Last Chance – Efke Films
While we all mourn the loss of Efke film, recently a gentleman has been selling new-old-stock out of Croatia on Ebay for actually decent prices. For those who don’t know, Efke films were produced by Fotokemika, the company founded in 1947 produced several black & white films and papers. While they produced their own films for several decades, they would begin to produce Adox films in the 1970s. Of course, we’ve all shot their usually panchromatic films ranging from ASA-25 to ASA-100, but they also produced two different Infrared films, IR820 and IR820 Aura. Even as film technology advanced, they continued to produce classic, silver rich films into the 2000s. But age would begin to take its toll and malfunctions and inability to repair their machines would force the company to shut its doors in 2012. Thankfully the timely Ebay seller gave everyone a chance for a victory lap. But this isn’t the film of today you need to be careful, the film responds well to most developers, but you’ll want to stick to a water only stop bath and a fixer with a hardener in it.
Pacemaker Crown Graphic – Fuji Fujinon W 1:5.6/125 – Efke PL25 @ ASA-25
PMK Pyro (1+2+100) 7:30 @ 21C
Nikon F5 – Lomography Daguerreotype Achromat 2.9/64 (Orange-22) – Efke KB100
Kodak D-23 (Stock) 7:45 @ 20C
Rolleiflex E3 – Schneider-Kruzenak Xenotar 75mm 1:3.5 (R72) – Efke IR820 Aura
Rodinal (1+25) 9:00 @ 20C
Pentax Spotmatic SP1000 – Makinon Auto 1:2.8 f=28mm (R72) – Efke IR820 Aura
Rodinal (1+25) 9:00 @ 20C
Calumet CC400 – Carl Zeiss Tessar 105mm ƒ/4.7 (R72) – Efke IR820
Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 7:00 @ 20C
Calumet CC400 – Kodak Ektar 127mm ƒ/4.7 (Red-25a) – Efke IR820
Rodinal (1+25) 9:00 @ 20C
Nikon F2 – Auto Nikkor-S 50mm 1:1.4 – Efke KB100
Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:30 @ 20C
Nikon F2 – Auto Nikkor-Q 135mm 1:2.8 – Efke KB100
Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:30 @ 20C
Of course, while we won’t see Efke again, Adox has returned to film production and currently is producing Adox CHS 100 II similar to Adox CHS 100/Efke KB100 in 35mm, 120, and large format up to 20×24.
Graflex Pacemaker Crown Graphic – Fuji Fujinon-W 1:5.6/125 (Orange-22) – Adox CHS100II @ ASA-100 – Blazinal (1+25) 5:00 @ 20C
Looking for a good spot to get your gear and material fix check out Burlington Camera (Burlington, ON), Downtown Camera (Toronto, ON), Film Plus (Toronto, ON), Belle Arte Camera (Hamilton, ON), Pond’s FotoSource (Guleph, ON), Foto Art Camera (Owen Sound, ON). Out West there’s The Camera Store (Calgary, AB) and Beau Photo Supply (Vancouver, BC). Additionally you can order online at Argentix (Quebec), buyfilm.ca (Ontario), the Film Photography Project or Freestyle Photographic.
Also you can connect with us through email: classiccamerarevivial[at]gmail[dot]com or by Facebook, we’re at Classic Camera Revival or even Twitter @ccamerarevival