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Leica M2 – The sibling classic
The Leica M2 is a 35mm rangefinder camera originally sold as the alternative to the flagship M3. In recent years it has gained its own hype and is sought after. I have been using it for a number of years and have my own thoughts on it.
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Leica M3 – Double stroke of genius
The Leica M3 is the legendary 35mm rangefinder camera that set the standard. I love using mine, and have written my thoughts.
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AGFA Karat 36 v3 – 36 Carat Camera
The AGFA Karat 36 is small folding rangefinder camera with a few quirks.
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Canon 50mm 1.8 LTM – mainly at night
The little Canon 50mm f/1.8 LTM lens has found a way into my camera bag and more. I tried it out in difficult night time conditions after a disaster with an old Leica rangefinder.
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Hasselblad XPan – Xpand the panoramic
The Hasselblad XPan is an iconic panoramic 35mm rangefinder camera with expected quality and a very unique format.
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Rank Mamiya – What’s in a name?
The Rank Mamiya, also known as the Mamiya Ruby or 4B, is a rangefinder from the 60's with an unfortunate name.
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Mamiya 7 – First Impressions
First impressions on the Mamiya 7, an extraordinary camera which came as the most luxurious birthday present.
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Kiev 4 – The Non-Clone
The Kiev 4 is a beautiful, silent and graceful camera. It has a classic rangefinder design which just makes you want to pick it up and start shooting with it. Paired up with the well regarded Jupiter 8M Contax mount lens, it forms a formidable team. Especially with a very accurate focus, achieved through one of the widest available rangefinder bases, on paper it should be a dream to use. It is unfair to call it a clone, as it was manufactured using a significant number of tools and machines the Contax originals were made with. That is because it was built with plans and equipment taken from the Carl…
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Combinations – Zorki 4 and Redscaled Film
Shooting with the Red October theme is one thing, shooting a Soviet Zorki 4 camera with redscale film is a combination that doesn’t get any more red. This ensures that the tool is red (aka Soviet), but also the result (aesthetically). The thought of this came through a suggestion from a friend on the yearly Red October theme that is shot by photographers that appreciate cameras made from former Soviet countries. They do have a reputation of quality issues, but also a fanatical following. This is sometimes attributed with the unique look the glass from the Soviet factories gives photographs. Redscale is a way of modifying how colour film is…
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Kodak Retina IIa – Coat Pocket Rocket
The Kodak Retina is a camera that holds a certain amount of mystique. It was made by a company that by the 1930s was more focussed on manufacturing film and generally created cameras to support that and the multiple formats they were introducing. Kodak never seemed to aim for or achieve anything above a second tier camera manufacturer, but the Retina was different. It was an attempt at a quality 35mm rangefinder, to compete on camera sales rather than just a supporting role. The Retina IIa is a 35mm folding rangefinder bellows camera, which fits well into a coat pocket, although it has a fairly solid, yet fiddly, construction. It…
