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As some of you guys might know i do a fair amount of photography with a 35mm Kodak Retinette 1B which was made in 1963. ^^^ That one! ^^^ Now i realise that this is probably not the best place to ask, but i figured that i'd give it a shot as i think that there are a fair few of you out there who are still shooting on film, also, there are probably a fair few of you who are into old cameras, and their may even be a few of you out there who owned and used this type of stuff when it was new. So here's what i'm after, advise really. Because as much as i like my Kodak Retinette, i am finding a it a little bit limiting, therefore i am looking for a camera of about the same vintage which yoiu can swap the lens on, so i can have both a close up, and a telephoto type lens. Could you originally buy some sort of adapter to screw on to the original lens even? The other thing, just to make it harder is that i don't really want to go down the SLR route. So did anything like this exist, are they still about, i've tried searching the bay of E, but without knowing what i'm really looking for it's pretty hard to search for it. Share your wisdom guys! Thanks
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I've never actually used it, I inherited my Grandads camera and films equipment when he passed, but I have a Zenit-e 35mm camera that sounds like it would fit the bill.
From what I've read and been told (on here as well, there's a thread about four years old somewhere) they were a pretty good camera. They aren't expensive and are quite readily available.
I've dug it out and taken a photo for you, but can't upload it from my iPhone 🙄
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,233
Club RR Member Number: 160
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Retro Film Camera.Rich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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I second any of the Zenit range of SLR cameras. Good value, robust, feel great to use with a great range of lenses for not a lot of money. Look up photos taken with a Helios 44M-4 lens. Very good kit. If you are interested I may part with my Zenit E for a sensible price.
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I bought and sold quite a few 35mm film camera's last year, mainly Nikon and Cannon
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ferny
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 981
Club RR Member Number: 13
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Retro Film Camera.ferny
@ferny
Club Retro Rides Member 13
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Hop on ebay and search for kits people are getting rid of within your budget. Google anything which looks interesting to you before bidding. I highly recommend something with TTL metering and anything from Canon, Nikon or Minolta simply to make your life easier.
I stopped counting when I reached 20 cameras.
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I would actually go for something a little later than that era. I used a Retinette 1B when I was first into photography (my Dad got it for me so I wouldn't nick his Nikon F2). However, as you have stated it is extremely limited in what it can do - and as I was trying to take a load of sports photos with it, I needed something more useful.
I would be inclined to go for something like an old Nikon FM - these were manufactured between 1977 & 82 and are totally mechanical, with no battery necessary. Fantastic bit of kit and virtually bulletproof. They're not too expensive secondhand on the bay of E either because most people go for the later FM2 or collect Fs, F2s etc. Manual Nikon lenses work perfectly with this camera (fairly cheap to buy s/hand too and fantastic quality) and a whole host of earlier AF lenses will work too. In fact anything with a Nikon "F" mount will fit. If you wanted a touch more automatic functions, take a look at the FE & FA models as well.
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I've got a Ricoh KR-5 that my boss palmed off to me. Haven't finished my first roll yet, but the lens are meant to be interchangeable with Pentax K-series lenses.
You should be able to find them cheap enough.
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Lovely camera.
I do like film. There is something oddly satisfying about it and the joy of waiting to see the pictures once out of the box.
I took an opposite tack to you and use a 1932 Kodak No2 brownie on 120 film (8 pics a roll!). For me there is a lot of fun in learning the limitations of these cameras and working with them and even using it to get effects.
Re 35mm, What about a Canon A1? I believe the lenses are standard FD mount which were still available in the early 2000s.
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Suzuki SV650R The good Triumph T20 The Bad BMW G650GS The Ugly Matchless G12CSR The Smokey Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two?
Ingredients of this post Spam Drunken Rambling of author Bad spelling Drunken ramblings of inner voices Occasional pointless comments Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes
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Thanks chaps for taking to time to share your wisdom. I had a feeling that i may need to go down the SLR route. As luck would have it i bought myself a Canon AE1, and A1 back in the late eighties from the money i earned whilst working in my skool holidays, so maybe i should dig them out and have a play. I have quite a few cameras in my collection, and ideally would like to stick with 35mm, although i also have a Kodak No2 brownie, Lubitel 166U (which i actullly qiute love to use) and a Bronica ETRSi, but the trouble with 120 is the expense of the film and development. I have also just picked up from the tip an Olympus mju-ii today, stupidly, yesterday i bought one of these... As i wanted a cheap compact film camera to dabble with, and this was cheap, here's the link... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401273889847?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Then i find the Olympus today DOH!! I wonder which one will give me the best images lol! Anyhoo, thanks for your help, i guess i'll dig out my old A1 and see if it still works! If you have any other thoughts or insights, please let me know
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bosnod
Part of things
Posts: 12
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Feb 14, 2017 22:20:30 GMT
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I agree with everyone saying Zenit. Zenit Es are dirt cheap, well built, and have masses of options when it comes to lenses.
I'd also consider a Pentax ME Super. They're a little newer, they were made in the 80s, but I like mine because it's relatively compact and easy to use. If the battery happens to run out it can still shoot at 1/125, and it takes Pentax K mount lenses, which are cheap and easy to get hold of. The 50mm f1.7 is my favourite.
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