Topic: My new Subita Camera, (1953)

[JonathanLuckhurst]

Hey everyone

I just bought a vintage cam today...It's a Subita camera from Germany, 1953

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Subita

it's pretty old and I don't have any experience with it. Does anyone out there have any knowledge of this camera, and how you can manipulate it to get some interesting effects?? (ie-holga - ish). thinking about vaseline on the lens, see what happens.

I'm leaving to India on Sunday and would love to take it along with me.
cheers
Jonathan

[JonathanLuckhurst]

anyone ever tried scratching the hell out of a lense with sandpaper?? i'm thinking i might also try this...or scratch a filter to put over top the lense

cheers
jonathan

[seekingfocus]

Who knows... if you really don't care about it give it a go...

For something less destructive, try Vaseline or beeswax or the like; something that can be removed later if desired. I'd suggest trying it out first to see hat kind of results you do get before making any mods.

Whatever you do, try to get a roll of film through it and processed to judge the results for your yourself before taking on an important shoot... better to be disappointed (or pleasantly surprised) if it's something you don't mind about so much rather than coming home from India only to find it's not what you wanted.

-Jason

[Sandeha Lynch]

Keep the lens wide open and your OOF areas might be quite woozy anyway, though stopped down to f22 it could be (disappointingly) sharp.   

Tape an old filter on the front if you want to use vaseline - much easier to deal with later.

Scratch up the front element and you'll likely reduce the contrast and introduce flare.  Possibly better to scratch up your negs !!

[Francois]

Scratching is a definite no-no.
If you want to know what it will look like, try shooting through ground glass...
Strangely all scenes come out white... with no details...
If that's what you want, might as well shoot through vellum... it's easier.

[JonathanLuckhurst]

thanks for the help everyone....will try manipulating the filter and see what happens. unfortunately i don't have the time to shoot a roll and develop it as i am leaving right away...guess i'll just have to wing it, sacrifice a few rolls and see.
cheers
Jonathan

[seekingfocus]

unfortunately i don't have the time to shoot a roll and develop it as i am leaving right away...

There's still about 36 hours before now and Sunday! Plenty of time to waste at least a few rolls. (I jest, though only in part.) 

[JonathanLuckhurst]

yeah, i totally would but my developing tanks and chemicals are a four hours drive away from where i am right now!! and no one in town develops bw film anymore!!

cheers
Jonathan

[Francois]

Patience is the photographer's best friend...