Classic Camera Revival – Episode 46 – Do You See What I See

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This won’t be the first time the gang has talked about lenses, but just like there’s a wide range of cameras out there, classic lenses seem to be having a resurgence especially with the adaptability of mirrorless cameras. But we prefer to use our classic lenses on our classic cameras! So what lenses will we be discussing today?

Nikkor 105 f/2.5 – If there’s an iconic Nikon lens, it’s the short telephoto, almost perfect portrait lens, the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5. It has come in every variant of manual focus Nikon, from the original Nikkor-P through AI and AI-S. Legendary NatGeo photographer Steve McCurry used it to capture the famous Afgan Girl photo (on an FM2n but that’s a camera for another show), and pretty much all the Nikon shooters around the table have one such lens.

Episode 46 - Do You See What I See
The AI-S version of the 105 f/2.5

Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: Nikkor-P 105mm 1:2.5 (1959-77), AI Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 (1977-81), AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 (1981-2005)
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture Range: f/2.5 – f/22 – 7 Blades
Optics: 5 Elements in 3 Groups (1959-71), 5 Elements in 4 Groups (1971-2005)

A U Properly Shapped
Nikon FA – AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 – JCH Streetpan 400 @ ASA-400 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:00 @ 20C
Niagara Falls, NY side
Nikon F2 – Nikkor-P 105mm 1:2.5 – Rollei Retro 80s – Rodinal (1+50) 14:00 @ 20C
Rock Parting the Water
Nikon FM – AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 – Fomapan 200 – Kodak D-76 (1+1) 8:00 @ 20C
Amy & Jeremy - 12th August 2017
Despite being a mainly film podcast, co-host Alex loves the 105/2.5 on his a6000 especally for weddings.
Sony a6000 + AI-S Nikkor 105mm 1:2.5 /w Fotodiox Adapter

AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – Like the 105 f/2.5 if Alex is out shooting street photography he has with him the modern auto-focus version of the Nikon 105mm. Picking it up after he sold off his 85mm f/1.8D (which he still regrets), it’s a lens that almost always comes with him with the F5. While big and heavy, it adds a nice balance to the camera and works great for street work.

Episode 46 - Do You See What I See
You can see the defocus control ring and the much more ruged apperence.

Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture Range: f/2 – f/16 – 9 Blades
Optics: 6 Elements in 6 Groups

The Folks at Wedge
Nikon F5 – AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – Ferrania Solaris 200 – Unicolor C-41 Kit
TFSM - Fall '16
Nikon F5 – AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – JCH Streetpan 400 – Ilford Perceptol (1+1) 10:00 @ 20C
CCR:FRB - Review 25 - Kodak TMax 100 - Roll 02 (TMax Developer)
Nikon F5 – AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1:2D – Kodak TMax 100 – Kodak TMax Developer (1+4) 7:30 @ 20C

Voigtländer Heliar Classic 50mm 1:2 – For John, there’s no better lens for his R2m than the Heliar Classic 50mm f/2. While not the widest or the fastest lens out there, but remember that the Leica Summitar was also an f/2 lens it’s a perfect carry around everyday shooter.

CCR Review 66 - Voigtlander Bessa R2M
A Classic Heliar mounted on an R2m.

Lens Specs:
Make: Cosina
Model: Voigtländer Heliar Classic 50mm 1:2
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture Range: f/2 – f/16 – 10 Blades
Optics: 5 Elements in 3 Groups

CCR Review 66 - Voigtlander Bessa R2M
Voigtländer Bessa R2M – Voigtländer Heliar Classic 50mm f2 – ORWO UN54+ – Kodak HC-110 Dil. H 7:30 @ 20C
Voigtländer Bessa R2M – Voigtländer Heliar Classic 50mm f2 – Kodak TMax 400
Voigtländer Bessa R2M – Voigtländer Heliar Classic 50mm f2 – Ilford Pan F+

Kodak Ektar 100mm f/3.5 – Keeping it similar, the iconic Kodak Ektar lens, especially the 100mm f/3.5 found on the Kodak Medalist II is also of a Heliar design. And it certainly shows off why the lens design is so iconic, it produces amazing lenses and even colour rendering because of the Lumized Coating.

Classic Camera Revival - Episode 11 - The Mystery Camera Challenge
The Kodak Medalist I with the 100mm f/3.5 Ektar

Lens Specs:
Make: Kodak
Model: Ektar 100mm f/3.5
Focal Length: 100mm
Aperture Range: f/3.5 – f/32 – 5 Blades
Optics: 5 Elements in 3 Groups

Stream
Kodak Medalist I – Kodak Ektar 100mm f/3.5 – Rollei Retro 400s
Fence Detail
Kodak Medalist I – Kodak Ektar 100mm f/3.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Kodak Xtol (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C
Portrait of fellow film shooter
Kodak Medalist I – Kodak Ektar 100mm f/3.5 – Kodak Tri-X 400 – Kodak Xtol (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C

Carl Zeiss Distagon 1:4 f=50mm – There’s no better wide angle lens to attach to your Hasselblad V system, from the original ‘blunder-buss’ chrome version to the sleek black T* and modern versions. It will quickly become the lens you want to leave on your camera no matter what. There are several different versions, you can see a full layout over on Ken Rockwell’s site.

Episode 46 - Do You See What I See
One of the older Chrome Blunderbuss versions of the Distagon 50.

Lens Specs:
Make: Carl Zeiss
Model: Distagon 1:4 f=50mm
Focal Length: 50mm (Actual 51.3mm)
Aperture Range: f/4 – f/22 – 5 Blades
Optics: 7 Elements in 7 Groups

STC - Before the Move
Hasselblad 500c – Carl Zeiss Distagon 50mm 1:4 – Fuji Acros 100 – Kodak D-23 (Stock) 9:00 @ 20C
BCE Place
Hasselblad 500c/m – Carl Zeiss Distagon 50mm 1:4 – Ilford HP5+ – Ilford Ilfosol 3 (1+9) 6:30 @ 20C
Hasselblad 503cx – Carl Zeiss Distagon 50mm 1:4 – Kodak Ektachrome E100G – Arista Rapid E-6 Kit
Hasselblad 500c/m – Carl Zeiss Distagon 50mm 1:4 – Fuji Acros 100

AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – The Nifty-Fifty is always a strong point for many lens manufactures, pretty close to normal for the human eye, and probably the cheapest lens you can get with amazing optical. Now the AI-S Nikkor 50/1.8 comes in several flavours, the Series E, the Pancake, and Long Nose. Each are solid performers.

CCR Review 38 - Nikon FA
A Nikon FA with a Series E version of the 50/1.8

Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture Range: f/1.8 – f/22 – 7 Blades
Optics: 6 Elements in 5 Groups

Project:1812 - Bakus Mills
Nikon FM2n – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – Kodak Tmax 100 – Blazinal 1+50 12:00 @ 20C
Crossing Front at York
Nikon FM2n – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – JCH Streetpan 400 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:00 @ 20C
Saturday Morning on Front St. Near Bay St
Nikon FM2n – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 – Ilford HP5+ – Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 5:00 @ 20C

Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7 – Sticking the 50mm focal length, one of the best and least expensive lens for your Minolta kits is the Rokkor-X 50mm f/1.7, just be careful which one you get based on your camera, the MD version will work on cameras that have shutter priority and fully automatic, whereas the older MC version (which Alex has) will only work on manual and aperture priority. Either one, are excellent choices!

Episode 48 - Disco Fever
Bill’s Rokkor-X 50/1.7 mounted on his XD11

Lens Specs:
Make: Minolta
Model: Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture Range: f/1.7 – f/16 – 6 Blades
Optics: 6 Elements in 5 Groups

Art Deco Lawyer's Office
Minolta XD – Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7 – Rollei RPX 100 – Kodak Xtol (1+1) 10:00 @ 20C
In Front of Bud's on Sunday
Minolta XD – Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7 – Kodak Portra 400
Plenty of Seats with a Great View
Minolta XD – Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7 – Kodak Portra 160

AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G – Where Alex prefers the 105mm focal length, James goes for the 85mm. He finds that 85mm is just how he sees the world and being able to open up to f/1.4 it just makes those portraits pop. Now you will have to drop a fair chunk of change on this lens, but to James, it’s worth every penny (or nickel, because we don’t have pennies in Canada).

Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G
Focal Length: 85mm
Aperture Range: f/1.4 – f/16 – 9 Blades
Optics: 10 Elements in 9 Groups

Nikon F6 – AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G – Fuji Velvia 100 – Arista Rapid E6 Kit
Nikon F6 – AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G – Fuji Velvia 100 – Arista Rapid E6 Kit
Nikon F6 – AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1:1.4G – Fuji Velvia 100 – Arista Rapid E6 Kit

AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4D – If you’re into bugs, and love Macro photography then this is the lens you want is the 200mm f/4 Macro lens from Nikon. A rare bird as only 12,000 were only produced (for some reason) but it’s the cream of the crop, the best of the best and gives a 1:1 factor on magnification and with a 200mm reach you don’t have to get too close and disturb your subject.

Lens Specs:
Make: Nikon
Model: AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4D
Focal Length: 200mm
Aperture Range: f/4 – f/45 – 9 Blades
Optics: 13 Elements in 8 Groups

Nikon F6 – AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4D – Fuji Velvia 100 – Arista Rapid E6 Kit
Nikon F6 – AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4D – Fuji Velvia 100 – Arista Rapid E6 Kit
Nikon F6 – AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm 1:4D – Fuji Velvia 100 – Arista Rapid E6 Kit

The Other Rolleis
We all know the now famous Rollei RPX line but they have a lot more films that they sell under the Rollei name. Most are old Agfa stocks that have been continued and sold by Maco Direct under the Rollei name brand. The gang loves a lot of these films such as Rollei Retro 80s, Retro 400s, Rollei IR 400, and Rollei Superpan 200.

CCR:FRB - Review 20 - Rollei Retro 80s - Roll 04 (Ilford Microphen)
Nikon FA – AI-S Nikkor 35mm 1:2.8 (Yellow-15) – Rollei Retro 80s – Ilford Microphen (Stock) 9:00 @ 20C
Prince of Wales Hotel_
Minolta XD11 – Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1:1.7 – Rollei Retro 400s – Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 6:30 @ 20C
CCR:FRB - Review 26 - Rollei Superpan 200 - Roll 03 (Kodak D-76)
Minolta XE-7 – Minolta MD Rokkor-X 45mm 1:2 – Rollei Superpan 200 – Kodak D-76 (1+1) 14:00 @ 20C
CCR:FRB - Review 19 - Rollei IR400 - Roll 03 (Kodak HC-110)
Mamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 35mm 1:3.5 N (Kenko R72) – Rollei IR400 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. B 8:45 @ 20C

Obscura Darkroom – Kickstarter
Before you head off, we’re going to push our good friend Jen down in New Jersey. Jen recently visited Ontario for Alex’s Summer Toronto Film Shooter Meetup. Well, Jen has launched a Kickstarter to help build a Community Darkroom in the Newark area. So if you haven’t already, give them some help over on their campaign to make it a reality! Check it out at kickstarter.com/projects/1348296247/obscura-darkroom

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

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