My Equipment

I don't think that the equipment you use matters at all as long as you can create the kind of pictures you want. And I know that good equipment won't make good pictures on it's own. It all depends on what you do with the stuff, which is why sometimes I'll have a 6x6 SLR and other times I'll use a Lomo Smena. It all depends on the mood you're in, and whether you're having fun. That's all that matters.

But like most humans, I like to show off the things I own, so I'll list here the different equipment I've used. However, I don't always keep good records of which pictures were made by what equipment. (Actually, never.) This stuff isn't just a collection. Everything listed here has been and will be used by me. I do have other cameras that I haven't been able to use yet, and they won't be listed here. The fact that I've listed some camera here is not an endorsement, and I'm not saying that you need these things to take pictures like mine. (As if you would want to take pictures like mine.) But if you want to talk about something listed here, I'll be glad to. Since I'll take a picture with anything that holds film, I may have used something you've never heard of, and I'd be happy to tell you about it.

And now let us begin the display...

Hmm, I've added so many things to this page that I needed this table of contents to get through it quickly.

• Digital

  • Quickcam B/W for PC

• Motion Picture (film)

  • Krasnogorsk 3

• Large Format

• Medium Format

  • Kiev-88
  • Zeiss-Ikon Taxo 126/3
  • Miniature Speed Graphic
  • Kodak Brownie Hawkeye
  • No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie

• Small Format

  • Contax 139 Quartz
  • Yashica FX-2
  • Yashica FR II
  • FED NKVD
  • Kiev 4?
  • FED 5c
  • Lomo Smena 8M
  • Olympus Infinity Mini Weatherproof
  • Minolta XG-7
  • Argus C-3 Matchmatic
  • 110

• Sub-mini

  • Yashica Atoron

• Light Meters

  • Sekonic L-408 Multimeter

• Tripods

  • Ultrapod II
  • Bogen 3221/3047

• Bags

  • Lowepro Mini Trekker

• Quickcam B/W for PC

  

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  Before I begin I just wanted to point out that the photos on this page were taken with my modified Quickcam "eyeball" camera. I'm an "official" Quickcam developer (whatever that means) and the documents I got about the camera mentioned that the camera's CCD chip is very sensitive to infrared light. So sensitive that they had to install an IR filter. Of course I thought that an IR camera would be more fun than a normal camera, so I pulled the camera apart and found and removed the filter. Now I have a wonderful IR camera. The camera is still sensitive to visible light, so I taped a different filter on the camera to allow only IR light. (The filter is actually a piece of unexposed processed slide film.) And it all really works! See my Quickcam page for info on how to do it.

Here are some motion picture cameras I have actually used. I own a few more that I've never used.

• Krasnogorsk 3 16mm

  No photo yet.

  • No details yet. The camera is on loan.

  • Last updated on Thursday, October 23, 1997.

  I picked up this working, complete K3 package while in Ukraine this summer (1997) for about $40 US. A splendiferous good deal, which makes the bad buys I made nothing to be concerned about.

  The camera probably needs to be adjusted a bit. Unless the film is loaded in a way not according to the instructions, the camera will eat the film. But once it's loaded and running, it works like a charm. I've shot a couple spools of Ilford FP4 through it. Still waiting to get them developed though. More info later.

  At the moment (September, 1997) the camera is on loan to my brother John, who is a film & video major at Grand Valley State University. GVSU has a pretty good F&V department, and John's probably the best film student there. You can contact him at berezaj@river.it.gvsu.edu.

Ok, I haven't had the chance to do any large format yet, but I'll probably be getting a 4x5 one of these days. Or maybe build my own 8x10. The reason? The ability to do all the Scheimpelflug(sp) stuff to give me absolute control over the entire camera.

• Kiev-88 Serial No. 9504XXX

  

  • Arsat B 80mm/f2.8 lens Serial No. 9508XXX
  • Waist level finder
  • 6x6 back Serial No. 9600XXX
  • Polaroid proofing back Serial No. 930XXX
  • Quick-release strap
  • UV and Yellow-Green filters
  • Lens hood
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  Yes, this is the much maligned Ukrainian made medium format camera. I really like this camera. I bought it from Continent-Wide Enterprises which only inspects the imported camera. It doesn't replace parts like Kiev USA. The camera I bought was made in 1996. (The first two digits of the serial number tells you the year.)

  You can tell the difference between different models in two ways. First, check the serial number. The first two digits give you the year. I would try to always go for the current years model. They've been constantly increasing quality control. My camera was made in '95 and the 6x6 back in '96. The other difference is in the nameplate on the front. My camera, like newer ones, has just the word "Kiev" in italics. Older cameras had "Kiev 88" in non-italic type. Cameras from Kiev USA have "Kiev 88C". There may be other cosmetic differences. I've noticed that my waist level finder has chrome where some finders don't along with other differences.

  In the first week I shot eight rolls (b/w & color) through it and the pictures came out beautifully. I've seen a lot of truths, lies and half-truths written about the camera on Usenet, so right here I'll answer some often-asked questions about the camera.

  1. Does it work? Yes.
  2. Does it take good pictures? Yes. It takes excellent pictures.
  3. What about the "flare problem"? I looked inside the camera when I got it, and it appears that things have been done to take care of the problem. I haven't noticed any more flare than with any other camera.
  4. What about light-leaks? I haven't noticed any yet, but even Hassy backs get leaks.
  5. So, is it perfect? Of course not. I have had some problems. First, the aperture ring is very hard to turn if I grasp it on the sides, but is easy to turn from the top and bottom. The mirror has gotten stuck twice. Never during actual use, but only when I was testing the camera. Both times I fixed it just by removing the lens and gently pushing the mirror up. I had a chance to play with another Kiev-88 and I didn't notice either of these problems.
  6. Should I buy one? I know I won't regret buying mine even with the worries, but I've always been a reckless person. At the time I was a poor college student who regularly spent too much money on photography.

  So, I really do like this camera, although it has caused me to worry more than with any other camera. But I can take the same kind of pictures that someone else could with a fancy Hassy, and it's more exciting to risk so much.

• Zeiss-Ikon Taxo 126/3

  

  • Dominar Anastigmatic 10.5cm/f4.5 lens in Telma shutter
  • Four glass plate holders
  • One Rollex 120 rollfilm back
  • Ground glass back
  • Leather case
  • Last updated on Thursday, October 23, 1997.

  My sister gave me this camera as a Christmas present. She was living in Lviv, Ukraine at the time, and she bought this camera from someone on the street. The camera's in rough shape, but it works, and it's interesting to have so many accessories.

• Miniature Speed Graphic

  

  • Graflex Optar 101mm/f4.5 lens in Graphex shutter
  • Kalart range finder
  • Graham roll film adapter No. 23 (6x9 framesize on 120 film)
  • Last updated on Thursday, October 23, 1997.

  I just recently got the roll film holder for this camera, so now I could add it to this list. Unfortunately it has leaky bellow, and I'm sure I can get better results from the Taxo, but the Graphic is easier to use.

  Note: I've since sold this camera.

• Kodak Brownie Hawkeye

  

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  This is a fun camera to take pictures with. Just point and shoot. Or set it on Bulb mode and start counting. And you get those nice big negatives with that special "Brownie-glow". Even though it takes 620 film, I've found that it is possible to stuff 120 film into it as long as you have a 620 take-up spool.

  Go to the gallery to see some Brownie photos.

• Kodak No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie

  

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  Another beautiful Brownie, and this one uses 120 film. (Actually it uses Autographic A-120 which is the same size as 120) Unfortunately the bellows are a bit leaky. With slow film it takes some superb pictures. It took surprising good pictures with Ektachrome 100 Plus.

  I may have some pictures from this camera in the gallery.

• Yashica/Contax

  

  • Contax 139 Quartz body
  • Yashica FX-2 body
  • Yashica FR II body
  • Yashica FR Winder
  • 28mm/f2.8 YUS
  • 35mm/f2.8 DeJUR
  • 50mm/f1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* No. 5922162
  • 50mm/f1.9 Yashica DSB
  • 135mm/f2.8 YUS
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  Yes, I had to list every bit of info about the Zeiss lens, even though it is a sill thing to do. In my defense I'll say that I bought the lens used (Mint) and it cost much less than any other 50/1.4 would have been new.

  The story of this system begins with a pawn shop. I was there looking to replace my fungusy Minolta MD lenses when I saw a Yashica body. When I asked to look at it the salesman said it was broken and wasn't for sale. He said it had been working, but someone did something to make it stop working. Since it was a mechanical camera, I had the feeling that they just didn't know how to make it work. So I offered to buy the camera anyway, and he sold it to me for what he paid for it.

  I walked out of the store with the camera, and by the time I crossed the street I figured out that someone had pushed the self-timer lever part-way which stopped the camera from doing anything. I set the self-timer all the way, and the camera worked perfectly.

  But I had no lenses. So I looked on the Web and found a place that sold used Yashica/Contax mount lenses, and they even had mint Zeiss' for great prices. I couldn't refuse the chance to use the fabled Zeiss optics, so I bought the three lenses I now have. I'll probably add at least a 24mm lens. I can't afford any other Zeiss T* lenses. The 50mm was the cheapest one.

  I've taken pictures with the camera, and I love it. It's simple, solid and dependable.

  Addendum

  Since I wrote the above notes, I bought the Yashica FR-II, also from a pawn shop, the Contax 139Q and the 35mm lens. I really do love this system, especially the Yashica stuff because it's so cheap and sturdy. Both of the Yashica bodies I have are EX+ condition and I paid way below McBroom's price for them. Pawn shop owners just price the Yashica stuff so low, it's amazing. And the Yashica lenses have at least the quality of Minolta and Pentax lenses, and they're often even cheaper.

  I was thinking of buying a new Contax 167MT body, but I was able to get both the FR-II and 139Q used for much less. Giving me an extra body and more money to spend on film.

  My next purchase for this system will a macro bellows. I had an 80-200 Macro lens for my old Minolta and I miss it. I'd love to use my 135mm as a macro.

• FED 1 NKVD Model No. 224622

  

  • 50mm/f3.5 FED collapsible
  • Original leather case
  • Last updated on Thursday, November 20, 1997.

  I picked up this camera along with a the Kiev and the K3 while in Ukraine this summer (1997).

  This camera is a wonderful Leica IIIc? clone. Mechanically it's in very good shape. The lens is a bit cloudy though, but it's nice for "soft" scenes. This camera is called the NKVD model because printed on the top is the full name of the person after whom the factory where the camera was made was named, F. E. Dzherzinsky (sp), who also happened to be the founder of the NKVD, precursor to the KGB in the former USSR.

  Knowing little about the value of Leica-clones, I've been blithely using this camera like normal. If anyone knows the value of this thing, please tell me.

• Kiev 4? Serial No. 7635230

  

  • 50mm/f2.0 Jupiter-8M
  • Original leather case
  • Last updated on Thursday, November 20, 1997.

  This is the third camera I got while in Ukraine. It's a Contax III clone. The back is loose, and leaks, although it's tolerable when in the leather case. The leather on the camera is peeling off. The shutter was not working properly, but with a little fidgeting by me, it now works quite well. The built-in light-meter is operational, and matches closely to my other cameras.

  This camera/lens is noticeably softer than my Contax camera/lens, but most cameras would be. Except for the occasional light leak, this camera takes pictures as well as my old Minolta, plus it's extremely quiet.

  Using the serial number, I'm guessing that this camera was made in 1976. Based on this and the cameras condition, I feel no worries taking this camera anywhere. It's solid and heavy, but oh so quiet for those candid shots.

• FED 5c

  

  • 55mm/f2.8 Jupiter-16
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  This camera is a Leica screwmount clone. Internally it's very much like a pre-IIIc Leica. I really like this camera. It fits perfectly into my coat pocket and I carry it with me everywhere.

• Lomo Smena 8M

  

  • No. 201050
  • 40mm/f4.0 T-43 Lomo
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  Now here's a real camera. When you see that "Made in USSR" on the bottom, you know you're in for it.

  Others have said so much about the Lomo, so I'll just tell the story of this particular one. (This story is based on my own foggy recollection of a story I might have heard, so I won't claim it's all true.)

  In 1971 my dad travelled to Ukraine. He was there to see relatives and visit the place where his parents had lived. He had brought with him a camera and a tape record to preserve the trip. He recorded the voices and singing of his aunts and uncles and cousins. He took pictures. Unfortunately, one day he pointed his camera in the wrong direction and he took a picture of some government building. He was questioned by the KGB and they took his camera and all his film. They entered his hotel room and took the tape recorder and all the tapes.

  So to have something to take back home to remember the trip, he got this Smena 8M. I don't think he ever used it when he got back. I remember playing with it when I was a little kid. Just a short while ago I went back to the same closet where the camera had always been kept, and it was right there, so now I'm trying it out.

• Olympus Infinity Mini Weatherproof

  

  • Olympus 35mm/f3.5 lens
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  Hey, sometimes a point & shoot can be useful, especially one as small as this. Except for the Olympus Stylus, it's the smallest p&s I could find, plus it's weatherproof. This is a camera that I always keep in my pocket. And it's cheap and replaceable so I never worry about what happens to it. This way I can have a camera with me constantly. I live with photography.

• Various 110 cameras

  No pictures yet.

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  The first cameras I ever took pictures with used 110 film. I don't have any cameras right now to give an example of, although I may have some pictures in the gallery from those days.

• Minolta XG-7

  No picture yet.

  • 28mm/f2.8 Vivitar
  • 50mm/f1.4 Rokkor-X Minolta
  • 80-200mm/f3.5-5.6 Macro JC Penny
  • Vivitar 2x teleconverter
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  This was my first 35mm camera. It was given to me by my mom when I said I was going to take photography course in college. That's right, I didn't get my first "real" camera until I was 18! I never did take the photography course. Yes, I'm sure it shows.

  When I got my next 35mm system I gave the Minolta to my youngest sister. That was just in November, 1996. So at this moment most of the pictures I have were taken by this camera and it's fungusy lenses.

  I liked this camera, but I wanted something more manual, and when I found the Yashica FX-2 camera body at a pawn-shop, I decided to completely switch systems.

• Argus C-3 Matchmatic

  No picture yet.

  • 50mm lens
  • external light meter
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  Unfortunately I lost this camera about six months ago. I shot two rolls of film through it and it was ok. It wasn't the most beautiful camera in the world, but I would like another rangefinder someday. I liked the compactness and quiet of the camera.

  Addendum - In June, 1997, I found this camera! It was actually in the porch the entire time, underneath piles of towels. It's still in good condition, and I've once again got it loaded with film.

• Yashica Atoron

  

  • ?? ??mm/f2.8 lens
  • Boxed set with:
  • Leather case & cleaning cloth
  • Key chain which screws into the tripod mount
  • Flash gun
  • 13 flash bulbs
  • ND4 & 80B filters
  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  This camera is interesting. It's tiny (although it weighs quite a bit being nearly all stainless steel), it uses Minox film and it's in beatiful shape. Unfortunately the light meter doesn't seem to work, but the shutter and aperture can be set using EV numbers, and my Sekonic light meter can display EV values. And the best thing, I got this camera for less than nothing! (It was thrown in just to sweeten a deal on a Speed Graphic)

• Sekonic L-408 Multimeter

  

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  This is the only meter I used besides the TTL meter in my Yashica. I have a few older Selenium meters, but they were designed for specific cameras like the Argus and didn't use f-stops and shutter speeds. Just "magic" numbers.

• Ultrapod II

  

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  I can't believe I've gone so far as to include this.

  As a table-top tripod it's pretty good. It's more stable than most table-top tripods I've used. I've never used the velcro strap on it, and I'm doubtful that it would be very useful or sturdy. But I've only used the Ultrapod indoors when I needed a longer exposure, and there wasn't room for a normal tripod. For all my outdoor photos I use my Bogen 3221 tripod if I use a tripod at all.

  For hiking or biking I would personally take a sturdy, collapsible monopod. Bogen makes a few different kinds. Unless you're planning on taking a lot of low shots (or trying to use the velcro strap), I'm not sure the Ultrapod would be useful.

• Bogen 3221 legs / Bogen 3047 head

  

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  The perfect tripod. (For me)

• Lowepro Mini Trekker

  

  • Last updated on September 22, 1997.

  If you're wondering what I carry all this stuff in, this is it. It's a wonderful bag. It's small, well padded and comfortable to carry. It holds my entire Kiev 88 and Yashica systems with room for more. Except for the Bogen tripod, almost everything listed on this page can fit into the bag.

I hope you've enjoyed my useless cavalcade of information about the equipment I own and use. The most important thing I can say is that just collecting cameras is evil! A camera is made to take pictures. If it isn't doing that, then you may as well throw it away. I'd rather see a rare Leica get destroyed because someone dropped it in the ocean while using it than see a Leica sitting in some sterile glass cabinet. Unuse is an abuse to photographic equipment!