Pentax K1000 featured image.
Pentax K1000 – Basic and Reliable The Pentax K1000 single lens reflex camera is robust and simple to operate. It is a mechanically operated single lens reflex camera (SLR) with manual focus, and manual exposure control, only. Although there is a single 1.5-volt button cell battery (A76, or LR44, or AG13) housed in the bottom…
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Christchurch Cathedral prior to the earthquakes.
Christchurch Cathedral The cornerstone of the Anglican cathedral in the city of Christchurch was laid on the 16th of December 1864. The transepts, chancel and sanctuary were not finished until 1904. The cathedral spire stood 63 metres (207ft) tall. The building is located in the centre of the city, surrounded by Cathedral Square. The first…
Read More Christchurch Cathedral prior to and after the Earthquakes
Barrow's Buildings, Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Christchurch Before and After the Earthquakes I have lived in Christchurch City most of my life. I find it difficult to describe the sense of loss at the disappearance of so many of the city’s buildings following the series of devastating earthquakes starting with the magnitude 7.1 shake on 4 September 2010. It is as…
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GoPro Wide Angle Photographs Using the GoPro as a stills camera to take wide angle shots. You may not have considered the GoPro as an alternative to an expensive wide angle lens for your 35mm digital SLR. You aren’t going to get as good a quality as you are from a purpose made digital camera…
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Ricoh 500G
Ricoh 500G 35mm film camera I’ve had this little Ricoh 500G camera for quite a few years and have shot a lot of film with it. The results have always impressed. If you have been thinking about getting one of these my advice is to go ahead and take the plunge! You won’t be disappointed.…
Read More Ricoh 500G (1972) – excellent high contrast f2.8 Rikenon lens
Canon A35 Datelux rangefinder film camera
Canon A35 Datelux (1977) I liked the look of this camera the moment I first saw it in a second-hand goods store. It looks cool in black. The construction of the Canon A35 Datelux is mostly of metal with just a few plastic parts. It weighs 540g so has a reassuring bit of heft to…
Read More Canon A35 Datelux (1977) features pop-up-flash and date stamping
Minolta Hi-Matic 7SII
Minolta Hi-Matic 7SII The Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII was is one of the best of the Japanese rangefinder cameras made before the age of plastic “point and shoots” and SLRs had completely taken over the majority of the market. It was introduced in 1977 and had all of the best features. These included an excellent…
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Olympus 35ED
Olympus 35 ED 06/05/2013 by Allan Burgess | No Comment The Olympus 35ED was one of the last rangefinders to be made as single lens reflex cameras began to overtake rangefinders in the marketplace. It is programmed Automatic Exposure control only. There are no manual controls. This is something I don’t like. It means if…
Read More Olympus 35 ED (1974 – 1978) Program Automatic Exposure control only
The advantages of rangefinder-cameras.
Rangefinder Camera Advantages Rangefinders make ideal cameras for street shooting. Being quite small in size most people will assume you are a tourist with a point and shoot and simply ignore you. Whereas when you are armed with a big digital SLR people will think you are some type of pro photographer and will likely…
Read More Rangefinder Advantages – Easy to use, simple to focus – Buying tips
Petri Racer
Petri Racer I picked up this unusual Petri Racer at my favourite second-hand store in Nelson recently for a couple of dollars. In is unusual in two respects, firstly the shutter release button is on the front of the camera instead of on the top; and secondly, the camera body and lens barrel appear to use…
Read More Petri Racer 35mm rangefinder film camera (from 1966)