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Cameras Galleries

Contax S : This camera was sold to me as a Contax 'D', but I think it is most likely an 'S' type D-2. The D should say CONTAX D on the pentaprism, this one just says CONTAX. However, given the wide variety of labeling on these cameras anything is possible. Depending on which web site you're reading, the D may be identified by the sync connection on the top plate, but other web sites say that the S D-2, which was the last S model, also had the sync connection there. The lens may not be original to the camera, its serial number indicates that it was manufactured between 1952-1955. Most documentation I've found says that the camera was sold with a 58mm F2 Biotar lens, this is a 50mm F2.8 Tessar. So it's either an S with a non-original lens, or a D with a possibly original lens. If anyone can make a positive determination, please let me know. Shutterbug included this camera in their list of the 20 most significant cameras of all time because it was the first 35mm pentaprism SLR (note that it was not the first SLR, just the first to employ the pentaprism that became the universal standard for SLRs). Condition is excellent, everything including the slow speeds seems to be functioning. I intend to put a roll of film through it and will post the results here when available.

Contax S

This camera was sold to me as a Contax 'D', but I think it is most li ...

Updated: Feb 15, 2010 5:41pm PST

S90 :

S90

Updated: Nov 11, 2009 6:28pm PST

300mm photos :

300mm photos

Updated: Sep 08, 2009 2:48pm PST

Lumix :

Lumix

Updated: May 12, 2009 6:59pm PST

a590 :

a590

Updated: Apr 06, 2009 5:33pm PST

Canon 50mm F1.8 EF II : Couldn't resist picking one of these up from Craigslist at a low price. But what a mixed bag. See comments. For the price it's not bad, but I wouldn't trust this lens for anything critical. Some shots were just plain out of focus. Some people say everybody should have one in their bag considering the price. I'd agree...if it stays in the bag. Maybe it's just this particular example, but I'll stick with my F1.4. "And when she was good, she was very, very good, But when she was bad she was horrid." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Canon 50mm F1.8 EF II

Couldn't resist picking one of these up from Craigslist at a low price ...

Updated: Jan 25, 2009 6:05pm PST

30D test : Sample shots from Oleg's 30D with 70-200 f4 L and 50mm F1.4. No sharpening applied to any of these photos by me, but some applied during upload by Smugmug.

30D test

Sample shots from Oleg's 30D with 70-200 f4 L and 50mm F1.4. No sharpe ...

Updated: Jan 12, 2009 10:37am PST

Leica IIIa : Leica IIIa made in 1936, with 50mm F2 Summar. Clean, bright viewfinder and rangefinder. Rangefinder images overlap perfectly. This camera must have been reconditioned at some time, the curtain looks like it was replaced (see photo). The lens is clean with no scratches, fungus or haze. Hard to believe it's 72 years old. Here are some photos taken with it. Pretty good, but the bad news is half the roll didn't come out, seemingly random. I thought the film advance wasn't functioning properly at one point, but that wouldn't explain it. User error? Erratic shutter seems to be the most likely explanation, although it sounds fine. It was a little cold that day, maybe just enough to slow it down?

Leica IIIa

Leica IIIa made in 1936, with 50mm F2 Summar. Clean, bright viewfinder ...

Updated: Jan 06, 2009 7:51pm PST

Leica 50mm vs. Canon 50mm : A very unscientific comparison between a Leica Summilux R ROM 50mm F1.4 and a Canon 50mm F1.4. On a tripod, F8, .6 second exposure. Both lenses mounted on an EOS 30D, the Leica was mounted with a Fotodiox Leica R to EOS converter. A simple and well-made converter that does the job but loses all automation. The Leica sells for 2,000.00 new, the Canon 350.00 or thereabouts. I leave it to the viewer to try to figure out which is which. The answer can be found in the photo information selection on the menu that appears when you mouse over the larger image. The Leica will not show f-stop since it was not talking to the camera (No surprise, why would a Leica lens talk to a lowly Canon, even if it could?). My own impression is this: Along the bottom of the image at the right side, looking at the top of the box from the bottom edge up, the Leica is a lot sharper further from the center of the image. Very noticeably so. However, the cashews on the far right appear to be sharper in the Canon image. Other areas of the photo show no difference to my eye. The color is slightly different between the two lenses, which is not surprising. Every lens has a signature color rendition, especially between brands. I like the Leica color better, but the difference is subtle. If I were to base my decision on only this one example (admittedly not a smart thing to do) I would not shell out 1,600.00 more for the Leica. But of course one photo won't tell the whole story. And of course there are other factors. The Leica is used with an adapter which may or may not impact image quality (there is no glass in it). The 30D sensor may not have the resolving power to pick up the optical differences between the lenses. A top-of-the-line Canon body at 5000.00 might do a better job. Using film with Leica body vs. a Canon body might be a different story also, not because I think the Leica film body will produce a superior image to a Canon film body, but the lens will be mounted on the body for which it was designed. Too many variables. But the point of this experiment to me was: for my purposes, with my equipment, does it make sense for me to buy this lens? I would not hesitate to buy it (used) if I thought there was a real benefit.

Leica 50mm vs. Canon 50mm

A very unscientific comparison between a Leica Summilux R ROM 50mm F1. ...

Updated: Dec 20, 2008 11:40am PST

Leica R6.2 with 50mm Summilux : Leica R6.2 with 50mm Summilux f1.4. There are no marks of any kind anywhere on this camera (with the exception of a small rub mark on the lens mount from the lens being put on). I'm selling it for a friend who says that in the 10 years he's owned it he only put one roll through it. He bought it thinking he would use it and just never did. As improbable as that sounds, the condition of the camera bears it out. The protective plastic is still on the base. This camera is in mint condition but has one small issue - the depth of field preview lever, when pushed towards the camera for preview, does not snap back when released. With a small push it will pop back. This may be just from sitting around and may go away with use. Includes Leica camera and lens cases.

Leica R6.2 with 50mm Summilux

Leica R6.2 with 50mm Summilux f1.4. There are no marks of any kind any ...

Updated: Dec 15, 2008 12:07pm PST

Crown Graphic : Crown Graphic 4x5 Camera with Kalart Rangefinder with Focuspot, 3-cell Flash with the original manual, 10 flash bulbs, lens cap, lens hood, original thick red, green and yellow filters, 3 film holders, Graphic Film Pack Adapter, and bag (flash does not fit in bag, as you can imagine). I bought this camera about 25 years ago from a retired National Geographic photographer who used it for his personal art photography. After a couple of years, I sold it to a friend who has now asked me to sell it for him. The camera is in excellent condition. There is a screw missing on the Focuspot head (see photos). This would be easy to replace, it just needs to be done. Lens and shutter are in excellent condition, as are the bellows. Ground glass back is in excellent condition. The back of the lens shade unscrews to accept a filter. The filters each have their original leather case. When I sold it to my friend everything was working including the Focuspot. I haven't tried it since he asked me to sell it, but will get around to it soon. The serial number of the lens indicates that it is from 1948. The serial number of the body appears to be from the early 60's, '62 or '63.

Crown Graphic

Crown Graphic 4x5 Camera with Kalart Rangefinder with Focuspot, 3-cell ...

Updated: Dec 15, 2008 11:32am PST

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