Topic: I just picked up...

[Francois]

I know. I think the Nikon F-401 had an indicator. And there is a few rangefinders that had that too... but I'd have to look through my collection to remember which ones.

[hookstrapped]

Koniflex. This is the later improved model with a much more secure door latch and double-exposure protection. I  seriously worried about the door popping open on my earlier Koniflex. From the mid 1950s. This one is in great condition. Very pleased. Easily among my top 5 favorite cameras, maybe my number 1.

[Kai-san]

That's a very nice TLR, congrats! I haven't seen any of those for sale here. I understand that the Koniflex was a very well made camera, but didn't sell well in the west. I've had a few Konica cameras and the lenses are very good, expect that is the case with this one as well.

[hookstrapped]

That's a very nice TLR, congrats! I haven't seen any of those for sale here. I understand that the Koniflex was a very well made camera, but didn't sell well in the west. I've had a few Konica cameras and the lenses are very good, expect that is the case with this one as well.

I came across the Koniflex during the pandemic, from the Konica II, another beautiful well-designed and well-built Konica from the 1950s. My understanding of why it wasn't a commercial success was simply that it was too expensive, occupying a nonexistent market niche between the Rolleiflex and a number of other Japanese TLRs. I got both this one and my previous one (actually previous two because I cannibalized one to repair the other) from ebay sellers in Japan.

The lens is fantastic, an 85mm of Heliar design. It's why I love the camera -- you can see some samples in my 3D Pop thread on the Essays page. The viewfinder is also a unique design and very bright.

[Bryan]

Walking Quincy around my neighborhood yesterday I came across a garage sale.  Got this Voigtländer Vito C for $2.  There's a partially shot roll in it, have no idea what it is.  I'll finish the roll off and see if I can get anything off it.  Also got the tripod it's on for $1. 

Voigtländer Vito C by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

[Francois]

Those are pretty neat!
I have one in which I need to put film through. Mine has the black button option.

You had better luck than I did. I found a Canon Rebel S and an old digital one and a zoom at a garage sale. When I asked how much they wanted for them, they checked Marketplace and promptly said 400$.... I just turned around and left.

[Indofunk]

Walking Quincy around my neighborhood yesterday I came across a garage sale.  Got this Voigtländer Vito C for $2.  There's a partially shot roll in it, have no idea what it is.  I'll finish the roll off and see if I can get anything off it.  Also got the tripod it's on for $1. 

Voigtländer Vito C by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

How did you find out that there's a roll in it? I've ruined my share of rolls by just opening up a new-to-me camera, even though I always try to remember to open it in a dark bag the first time 😁

[Francois]

You just try and spin the rewind knob.
If it spins freely: no film.
If it resists: film.

That simple.

[Indofunk]

You just try and spin the rewind knob.
If it spins freely: no film.
If it resists: film.

That simple.

🤦🏽‍♂️ I think I'm due for a brain upgrade 😁

[Bryan]

You just try and spin the rewind knob.
If it spins freely: no film.
If it resists: film.

That simple.

It wasn't spinning freely so I knew there was film in there.  The counter was on 20 so I assumed some may have been shot.  It turns out the film was off the take-up spool and some sprockets were torn.  So it felt like it was loaded but the film had never advanced.  It's a roll of Kodak Royal Gold 400.  I guess I got a free roll of film out of the deal.  Problem is, the shutter button is sticking so I may need to do a little work on it.

[Francois]

🤦🏽‍♂️ I think I'm due for a brain upgrade 😁

Or just find some sort of trinket that easily attaches to the neck strap and that you remove when the film is out.
Heck, it could just be a piece of rope that you tie to the strap with a Berlutti knot, nothing fancy there.

[Francois]

I haven't picked up anything new in so long, but yesterday at a local charity shop, I got a new flash unit for 4$.
I looked at it and, while I need another flash like I need a hole in the head, I was attracted by the insane 140 feet range at 100 ISO that was labeled on the box. I tested it inside and can say it's probably true as I saw a bunch of green rectangles for what seems like an hour!
Best of all, it's still got that new plastic and electronics smell from the 1980's. I really miss that. 😊

[Indofunk]

I tested it inside and can say it's probably true as I saw a bunch of green rectangles for what seems like an hour!

Sorry, I had to laugh at this 🤣

[Francois]

You don't have to be sorry, I somehow always manage to do it every time I try out a new flash unit and I always laugh it off 😊

[Kai-san]

Reminds me that I purchased a National hammerhead flash at a flea market some years ago for a fiver. It doesn't see much use, but it's nice to have in the unlikely case I should need it one day. 

[Francois]

One thing that always amazes me about these things is just how powerful they actually are.
You can actually feel the heat coming off the light.