How not to Leica

Do you want to shoot a rangefinder and can`t afford a Leica? No problem, here are some alternatives from good old Russia.

FED 5

The Fed5 is my first choice. Its solid and reliable and doesn`t take batteries. In this model you got the benefit of having a lightmeter, which is quite accurate(for what it is...).

The Jupiter-lens is a dream. The 8 aperture blades are creating nice bokeh, if thats is important for you.

Shutterspeed goes from B to 1/500

Like all russian rangefinder the Fed5 has no framelines, but the window itsself fits to the 50mm frame pretty good.

Zorki4

The second camera is the Zorki 4. No meter, no battery, no film advance lever. Like the Fed, the Zorki can take every M39 lens. The viewfinder fits pretty much to a 50mm.

The shutterspeed goes from B to 1/1000.

Kiev4

The last rangefinder ist the Kiev 4. Again, no batties, no film advance lever. The construction is weird to use. The 50mm lens locks up at infinity focus and needs to be umlocked with a button. I normally use a 35mm lens whereby this problem doesn`t exist.

The viewfinder is optimized for 50mm lenses. For the 35mm you need a external finder on the coldshoe.

The film takeup spool is probably the worst I`ve ever seen in a camera. You need to constantly tighten the film, to prevent it from overlapping....but it will happen anyway. If you buy a Kiev 4, make shure, that the original spool is in the camera. Selfmade spools are even worse.

Conclusion:
The most solid on is the Fed5. Its easy to use and brings consistent results. With the Zorki and the Kiev I`ve always had trouble. Hanging times, overlapping images, blocking mechanics, freezing shutters(in the winter) etc....
If you are interested in some more modern rangefinders, which are better in terms of reliability, accuracy and have framelines, you should definitely look for japanese brands!

Gedenkstätte Kaltenkirchen

Last week I visited the "Gedenkstätte" Kaltenkirchen, which was a concentration camp for mostly russian an french prisoners of war. They were forced to build a airport.

From the small camp isn`t much left, but the little museum is full of information about the camp and the dark time in that area in general.

http://www.kz-kaltenkirchen.de/

Sadly the page is in german language, but you can choose a PDF in your language for most information (ground-right corner)

 

KZ Neuengamme

Our first visit to the concentration camp "Hamburg Neuengamme". The camp is free to access for visitors since 2005. So the museum and memorial place is quite new and some areas are still under construction. Some parts are destroyed or rebuilt for other purposes after the war.  Never the less it was a deep impressing experience.
For more Information visit the Homepage:
http://www.kz-gedenkstaette-neuengamme.de/
(Choose your language in the top-left corner)
I used my Kiev4,Fed5 and the Voigtländer Perkeo.

 

Ferrania Film now on Kickstarter!

Ferrania is now on Kickstarter,which is for the first batch of Ferrania. This will be a 100 iso Color Reversal film. Available in 35mm,120, 8mm cine and 16mm cine

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/filmferrania/100-more-years-of-analog-film

Ferrania Film is going back into business

The Italian film manufacturer Ferrania is back. They are planning to build a new factory from the leftover parts of the old one.
"FILM Ferrania is in the process of restarting production for analog film in both still and cinema formats."
Read more at:
http://www.filmferrania.it/


Also an live-interview with Dave Bias from Ferrania is taking place next Friday on "The Art of Photography"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAPqpoq0TRM

Norwegen

Avaldsnes Vikinggarden bei Haugesund

APX100(alt)

APX100(alt)

 

APX100(alt)

 

APX100(alt)

APX100(alt)

APX100(alt)

Litunet Suldal 

APX100(alt)

 Blåsjø

Fomapan 100

Fomapan 100

Superia 200

Superia 200

Folgefonna

Kentmere 400

Provia 100

Fomapan 100

Superia 200

APX100(alt)

APX100(alt)

Provia 100

APX100(alt)

Provia 100

Sverd i fjell

Kentmere 400