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…
Tag: 35mm
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…
Exa IIa – The Baby Exakta
I have lost count of how many times I say that this was another camera bought on a whim! I must confess to having a liking for older Soviet and German cameras. I saw this offered with another identical camera and a third one that came minus the lens. The deal was ‘Get the lens-less…
Meopta Flexaret VI
I am not new to twin lens reflex cameras (TLRs) or cameras with waist level view finders such as the KMZ Start, as well as various Praktica and Praktina models. I accept that they are not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ but once upon a time, the Rolleiflex was the camera to own, especially amongst professional…
Only Just Vintage – The Praktica BX20
Previously, I wrote about the Praktica MTL5 that I had purchased on a whim. I was so impressed that I have been looking into other cameras from this manufacturer – some older, some newer. This is all about a newer model, the Praktica BX20, produced between 1987 and 1990. They were suppled with a variety…
The Voigtländer Bessamatic (Deluxe)
I acquired a Voigtländer Bessamatic (Deluxe) in October 2021 to add to my collection of vintage cameras. The kit included a 35mm/f3.4 Skopar X, a 50mm/f2.8 Color Skopar X and a 135mm/f4 Super Dynarex lenses. The lenses came with their cases and the camera came with the ever-ready case. I am pleased to say that…
Further tales from the East…
This was another case of me acquiring an East German camera on a something of a whim! (The low price had something to do with it!) This time, it was a Praktica MTL5 which was sold with the standard Pentacon 50mm F1.8 lens, a Pentacon 29mm F2.8 lens and a Peak 135mm F2 lens along…
Tales From The East
Well actually this is the first of two tales that start in the former East Germany, DDR or GDR -Call it what you will! After World War II, Germany was split into two countries. In West Germany a new Carl Zeiss was set up together with a new Carl Zeiss lens makers and half the…
…And Then There Were Four!
Last year, I was kindly donated some old cameras by a lady in our village. One of them was an Altix V. I had never heard of the manufacturer. I must confess that I was immediately struck by how sturdy it was and, dare I suggest, how attractive it is. I decided to find out…
Photosnaiper FS12
I put in a bid on Catawiki for this Photosnaiper FS12 kit and promised myself that I would not increase the bid. For once, I kept to my promise and it was only a few hours after bidding closed that I checked and found that I had won!The kit is complete and appears fully functional….