I promised I would talk about cameras and photography now and then. In the past month I have set about acquiring a small collection of cheap, in some instances unique, film cameras.
The first two arrived last week. The camera at picture left above is a FED2 from Russia. The other camera is an Ansco Lancer. I love them already, especially the FED2. I have been doing a little research and I want a FED3 now because several modest shortcomings in the FED2 are dealt with effectively. Doesn't matter. I need to finish the roll of film I have in it and see how it looks. Of course these FED cameras are intended to resemble the much more expensive Leica models of the time. Great. Okay with me. My old eyes don't like the dim viewfinder here, and the camera has no strap lugs. The claim is that these problems were resolved on the FED3. I love the old case and it appears this is a good thing, given that it seems to be the manner in which you keep the camera around your neck.
Best of all this camera appears to be in fine shape.
The Lancer is in great shape too. This is a tiny gem. It measures approximately 2" X 4" X 1" deep. I have seen some of the work this camera is still capable of doing, 40 years later, on the internet. I may have to clean it up a bit, do a CLA (clean, lube, adjust) as the afficianados say, we'll see, but it looks like it will provide a 'look' I am after in some images. The Ansco is made of aluminum. Is that any good? When was the last time you saw a product whose major build material was aluminum? I love it.
My father ran Leica systems when I was a boy. My Uncle Jack ran tidy little amateur cameras like the Ansco at first. He upgraded the way most folks did when the hobby took off. I remember these cameras though. I remember the cameras and I remember what a miracle it was when they actually began to produce colour slides that could be projected on to a screen at home.
A question or two to finish this little piece.
Can someone tell me why it was so simple to build every camera in the 50s and 60s, even the cheapest model, with superior balance and great hand feel, in other words, superior ergonomics? Why can this no longer be done? Why do we pay thousands of dollars for cameras that feel awkward and unbalanced, sometimes top-heavy, and just plain heavy period? This last seems especially strange given the amount of plastic used in newer camera design.
I suppose we could say the same of just about any home product and far too many pieces of professional equipment if we sat down and thought about it. Things that make you go hmmmm.
The first two arrived last week. The camera at picture left above is a FED2 from Russia. The other camera is an Ansco Lancer. I love them already, especially the FED2. I have been doing a little research and I want a FED3 now because several modest shortcomings in the FED2 are dealt with effectively. Doesn't matter. I need to finish the roll of film I have in it and see how it looks. Of course these FED cameras are intended to resemble the much more expensive Leica models of the time. Great. Okay with me. My old eyes don't like the dim viewfinder here, and the camera has no strap lugs. The claim is that these problems were resolved on the FED3. I love the old case and it appears this is a good thing, given that it seems to be the manner in which you keep the camera around your neck.
Best of all this camera appears to be in fine shape.
The Lancer is in great shape too. This is a tiny gem. It measures approximately 2" X 4" X 1" deep. I have seen some of the work this camera is still capable of doing, 40 years later, on the internet. I may have to clean it up a bit, do a CLA (clean, lube, adjust) as the afficianados say, we'll see, but it looks like it will provide a 'look' I am after in some images. The Ansco is made of aluminum. Is that any good? When was the last time you saw a product whose major build material was aluminum? I love it.
My father ran Leica systems when I was a boy. My Uncle Jack ran tidy little amateur cameras like the Ansco at first. He upgraded the way most folks did when the hobby took off. I remember these cameras though. I remember the cameras and I remember what a miracle it was when they actually began to produce colour slides that could be projected on to a screen at home.
A question or two to finish this little piece.
Can someone tell me why it was so simple to build every camera in the 50s and 60s, even the cheapest model, with superior balance and great hand feel, in other words, superior ergonomics? Why can this no longer be done? Why do we pay thousands of dollars for cameras that feel awkward and unbalanced, sometimes top-heavy, and just plain heavy period? This last seems especially strange given the amount of plastic used in newer camera design.
I suppose we could say the same of just about any home product and far too many pieces of professional equipment if we sat down and thought about it. Things that make you go hmmmm.
WARNING!
CAMERA PORN ALERT!
FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY
CAMERA PORN ALERT!
FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY
The FED2 is just so cool. Feels great in the hand too.
I was thrilled when my old Soligor flash fired when I popped it on the Ansco
The Lancer is great looking - those curves are funky...
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