Exakta Test Film

Bit disappointed :( Many of the shots where out of focus, seems like my mistake... Also the shutter stuck on a couple of shots, rear curtain I think as the last third of the frame is black. This is the best one:

Also I didn't realize that you have to press the rewind button all the time while you rewind the film and I tore the film near the end of the roll. Managed to rescue it in my changing bag.

This is film is Fuji Arcos 100 expired 2010, developed in R09. To me it lacks contrast (adjusted in photoshop here).

Film Cutter

Having read the manual for my Exakta I have discovered it has a film cutter! This allows you to change your film half way though. All you need to do is to load the film so you wind it on into another spare 35mm cassette. Then when you want to change films, just use the cutter to cut through the film, open the back and change the film. Amazing!

That's it there! Pretty sharp too!

Its arrived!

My Exakta Varex IIb has arrived. It needs a good clean and inside the mirror is very dusty but the lens seems clear, no sight of fungus and the shutter fires OK. Lots of knobs and dials on the top so I need to find a manual for it. http://www.cameramanuals.org/ has a manual for the IIa but not the b but they do have a Focal Press book on a range of Exakta cameras which includes the IIb.

Quick picture of my actual camera in the garden

I couldn't help myself!

I bought another camera on e-bay. I really shouldn't as I don't have enough time to use the ones I have got already! It is an Exakta Varex 11b, not even clear if it is working or not, seller said it has marks on the viewing screen, may just need cleaning. Time will tell! Should look something like this:

This is not the actual camera I bought. I will take some photos of it when it arrives. Cost me £20, bargin!

Having got my Lumix GF3 I discovered it is possible to fix many 'legacy' Olympus and Nikon lenses to it. So I ordered adapters from Fotodiox in the US (via Amazon marketplace) and when I got back from Istanbul they were waiting for me. Test shots taken so far: 

 Olympus OM 28mm

 Nikkor 24mm

 Nikkor 50mm

Nikon E series 28mm

These were not all take at the same time so the lighting is a bit different. My favorite is the Nikkor 50mm. The Olympus lens is a good match though as its small and light.

Tempted to get the Leica adapter so I can try out my old 1938 leica lens on the Lumix...

I wanted a small digital camera to take with me on a business trip to Istanbul. I was planning on getting an Olympus Pen camera but ended up with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. Low price (with £50 cash back!) and small size were the deciding factors. As I was working during the day, most of the photographs are taken at night time. I used the 1600ISO speed (too much noise at higher speeds) and I am quite pleased with the results.

Carpet and lantern shop

Ceiling of the Ayasofya Museum

Ayasofya Museum

Caffenol

I have come across people who develop films using Coffee, Washing Soda and Vitamin C! Yes, its true, and apparently it works quite well. So I thought I would give it a go. I haven't developed a film since the 1980s so I have been collecting the equipment I need and will give it a go shortly. Results here soon.