There are plenty of articles online praising the technical prowess of this camera praising it as a point-and-shoot that can compete with an SLR. The only other camera that might give the LX a run for its money is the Canon G10. So rather than rehash the technical specs of the Panasonic Lumix LX3 I thought I would throw out some ideas that might get you thinking how to “hack” this camera to create non-traditional digital photos. If you have some ideas of your own, please add them in the comments.

1. Long Exposures Switch the Panasonic Lumix LX3 over to manual mode and you can control the shutter speed. Try it at night, or in situations where a long exposure can give you unexpected results.

2. Multiple Exposures The Panasonic Lumix LX3 allows you to create multiple exposures in camera. You have to scroll through some menus to get to this setting, but it can give you some really fun and interesting results.

3. Street photography The LX3 is small and quiet so it is a great camera for street photography. Some times I like to “shoot from the hip” and take photos by just pointing the camera in someone’s general direction and snapping a shot. Every once in a while this technique can create some real gems.

4. Manual Focus You paid good money for the fancy focusing technology of the Panasonic Lumix LX3, but why not turn it off? The manual focus of this camera is another way to get back to basics with your camera. Or add some creative blur to your shots.

5. Macro It’s amazing how much things change when you get really close to them. The macro ability of the Panasonic LX3 is pretty impressive and opens a whole new world of possibilities.

6. Black and white I find that unless color really adds something to a photo, I typically prefer the image in black and white. Why not save yourself the trouble of converting to black and white in Photoshop later and shoot in black and white mode. Another advantage of shooting in b&w is that it puts you in a different mind set. I feel like I am looking at the world differently when I have black and white film in my camera.

I hope you found these ideas inspiring. As always, follow me on Flickr if you are curious about what my latest work.

Here are some of the auctions for Panasonic Lumix LX3 cameras and accessories on Ebay that you might be interested in:

CAMERA AUTO LENS CAP FOR PANASONIC LUMIX DMC LX3 LX-3

US $11.87 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:39:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $13.11 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

For Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX2 DMC-LX3 USB Data Cable

US $5.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:44:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $5.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Form Fitted Leather Case for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

US $39.39 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 2:59:47 PST Buy It Now for only: US $39.39 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Soft Case for PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-LX3 Digital Camera

US $10.99 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 8:23:24 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 with Enhanced CCD

US $175.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 14:34:35 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

DMW-BCC12 Battery + Charger fit PANASONIC Lumix DMC-LX3 CGA-S005 CGA-S005E

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 17:46:55 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

USB Cable for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 DMC-LZ1 DMC-FX580

US $1.98 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 20:14:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $1.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2X CGA-S005 Battery for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 DMC-LX3

US $7.49 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 9:59:42 PST Buy It Now for only: US $7.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

52mm Flower Lens Hood+UV Ultra Violet Filter for Panasonic Lumix DMC LX5 LX3 G2

US $5.69 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 13:58:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $5.69 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Camera Bag Case for Panasonic Lumix DMC LX3 FZ28 FX150

US $3.63 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:32:22 PST Buy It Now for only: US $3.63 Buy it now | Add to watch list

After setting up my Eye-Fi card I have literally never had to plug my camera into my computer again. Just by turning my camera on the card will detect my wireless network and start transferring photos. I don’t have to carry cords around with me. I have it set to send photos to my Flickr account as well as iPhoto. You can set it up do that the photos are private when they go to Flickr which is nice so people never have to see your junk shots. Then you can go back into Flickr and name, tag, and organize your photos before making them “live.”

More than likely, the next round of digital cameras will all have wireless capabilities built it. If I had to make a guess I suspect wireless will probably be the next “buzz” feature for consumer cameras. With the Eye-Fi card you can turn your camera into a wireless machine instantly. Visit the Eye-Fi website to learn more.

Here are some of the Eye-Fi auctions on Ebay that you might be interested in:

LESLIE UGGAMS the eyes of god LP M- PHILIPS DG HI FI

US $64.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:00:16 PST Buy It Now for only: US $64.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

** NEW Eye-Fi Connect X2 4 GB Class 6 SDHC Wireless Flash Memory Card EYE-FI-4CN

US $32.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:20:46 PST Buy It Now for only: US $52.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Lot of 5 GI Joe Loose Figures Stalker BAT Sci-Fi Snake-Eyes Guile Cobra

US $10.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:45:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $20.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Eye Fi Wireless Photo & Video Uploads Explore x2 8GB

US $89.90 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:46:24 PST Buy It Now for only: US $89.90 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Eye-Fi Explore X2 8 GB Class 6 SDHC Wireless Photo & Memory Uploads EYE-FI-8EX

US $82.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:46:36 PST Buy It Now for only: US $82.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Fabulous DORSEYS In Hi-Fi LP Columbia 6-eye Jazz Classc

US $7.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:10:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $7.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Eye-Fi Connect X2 4GB Wireless SDHC Memory Card Mac Apple Wifi

US $29.00 (21 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:30:50 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

lot of 6 SDHC cards and 1 Eye-Fi connect x2 card

US $23.21 (4 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 20:27:43 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Technics Hi-Fi EYE RARE Ad, 1973, mint! Article,Awesome

US $8.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 6:03:10 PST Buy It Now for only: US $8.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW EYE-FI 8GB EXPLORE X2 SDHC WIRELESS MEMORY CARD

US $89.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 7:32:55 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

When it comes right down to it you need a practical manual if you want to take better pictures. You need a book that you can turn to when you want to know “how did they do that?” Whether you are learning the fundamentals for the first time or are just looking to expand on what you already know, a browse through this book can’t help but improve your photos. Your photos will improve when you understand light better. It will improve when you understand how your camera works. It will improve when you learn the history as well as the latest advancements. It will improve when you know what to do with your image after you take the picture. All these things are covered in this book and it is written in easy to understand language.

In many ways, this is a book that couldn’t have been written five years ago. The digital revolution has been a whirlwind and I think we are just finally starting to understand the implications. Digital isn’t something to rebel against, and film isn’t something to throw out the window.

Being the kind of person who would rather hack together pieces of old cameras than baby an expensive piece of machinery, you may be surprised that I would endorse a traditional kind of book that focuses on the fundamentals of photography. Actually, I find an easy-toiread manual really inspiring. A firm grasp of the basics is essential before you can improvise and dance. The Fundamentals of Photography is a welcome addition to my photo library and I recommend you pick it up. It’s available from Amazon for about $17.

Also, I have a copy of the book to give away. Leave your name in the comments of this post and I will randomly pick a winner at the end of November. Just make sure to put a real email address in the comment form and I will contact the winner at the end of December. To make it a little more interesting, tell us what kind of camera you are learning with or what camera you learned the fundamentals of photography with. Mine was a Pentax K1000. What was your’s?

UPDATE: Congratulations to Amod Rahatkar, winner of the drawing for this book!

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for photography books that you might be interested in:

Texas Past Alamo Photography History Dual Signed Book +

US $64.95 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 15:53:05 PST Buy It Now for only: US $64.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

KODAK ARCO NAVY PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK DATA GUIDE

US $10.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:46:17 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

16 Kodak Photography Book Set

US $15.95 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:59:11 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

On Photography, Sontag, Susan 9780312420093 NEW Book

US $15.84 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:02:25 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15.84 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BOOK - THE AUTOMOTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY of PETER COLTRIN - RACING MERCEDES FERRARI

US $10.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:02:59 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

The Popular photography answer book

US $9.42 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:38:34 PST Buy It Now for only: US $9.42 Buy it now | Add to watch list

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3: The Step-By-Ste

US $22.37 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:45:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $22.37 Buy it now | Add to watch list

THE HAWAIIAN SHIRT--ITS ART AND HISTORY-H. THOMAS STEELE-BOOK-SHIRTS-PHOTOGRAPHY

US $7.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:51:50 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

New Book of Photography by John Hedgecoe

US $6.82 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:52:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.82 Buy it now | Add to watch list

LAND OF THE SKY-PETER BENEY-BLUE RIDGE-GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS-PHOTOGRAPHY-BOOK

US $7.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:22:50 PST Buy It Now for only: US $7.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Front of the camera with the shutter release cable:

The back with the film loaded:

The back of the camera opened up:

Here are the current auctions on Ebay for “Argus Cameras” that you might be interested in:

Vintage Argus M3 Movie Camera

US $4.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:31:23 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Argus STL 1000 Black w/Cosina 50mm/1.8 Lens-Beautiful Vintage 1971 SLR camera

US $339.44 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:00:28 PST Buy It Now for only: US $339.44 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage Classic Cameras - Collector Guide including Argus, Konica etc

US $29.95 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:09:52 PST Buy It Now for only: US $29.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE ARGUS CAMERA

US $50.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:15:32 PST Buy It Now for only: US $50.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE ARGUS 75MM CAMERA CASE FLASH CARRYING STRAP ALL INCLUDED

US $8.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:22:55 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE ARGUS SEVENTY-FIVE CAMERA

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:35:14 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Argus Ilex Precise 35mm Film Camera

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:55:48 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Argus / Mansfield Holiday 8mm Movie Camera CE-1

US $49.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:51:16 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

1948 Original ARGUS C-3 All Weather CAMERA Vintage Ad

US $8.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:53:55 PST Buy It Now for only: US $8.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage Argus Anastigmat Camera

US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:29:51 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

I haven’t posted a good camera modification in a while, so it feels good to present you with this new tutorial on how to build your own tilt-shift lens. Have you seen those photos where only a small part of the picture is in focus and the rest of the image gets dramatically blurred? If you ever wondered how this effect is created, chances are the picture was taken with a tilt-shift lens. Most lenses are fixed exactly parallel to your lens because that is the position that will distribute the light evenly and keep focus at a fixed distance. A tilt-shift lens is different because it allows you pivot the lens. By “tilting” and “shifting” the lens you can throw things out of focus in unconventional ways. Using a tilt-shift lens is a fun way to inject your photos with drama and controlled distortion. Here is a link to a good Flickr gallery full of examples of tilt-shift to give you an idea of what is possible with a tilt-shift lens.

If I have convinced you that a tilt-shift lens would be a nice addition to your photography arsenal, I have some bad news for you. Tilt-shift lenses are expensive. A quick Ebay search reveals that you will be lucky to secure a lens for under $500 with some lenses well over $1000. Yikes! A slightly less expensive option is something called a Lensbaby, which will run you between $100 to $400. Despite hearing good things about the lensbabies, I just can’t justify dropping a couple hundred dollars on a lens that’s main purpose is to degrade and distort my pictures. Luckily there is a third option. Here are some ideas that will help you create your own tilt-shift lens for next to nothing.

The great thing about this method is that you don’t need glue, tape, liquid nails, or anything messy. All you need are four things that you might already own:

1. The first thing is a single lens reflex camera. For this example I am using a Pentax K1000, but it should work with any SLR including most digital SLR cameras.
   
   

2. The second thing you will need is a body cap. If you bought your camera new, the body cap was probably in the camera when you pulled it out of the box. This is the cap that you would have removed before you attached your lens. If you don’t have a body cap you should be able to pick one up for cheap on Ebay.
   
   

3. The third thing you will need is an inner tube from a bike tire. You probably have a bike in your garage with a flat tire, so that will work perfectly. If you don’t have a flat, you can pick one up an Wal-Mart, but it could cost about $20. If you live close to a bike shop I would bet they could give you a flat inner tube for free.
   
   

4. The fourth thing on the list that might be the hardest thing to track down is a lens from a junk camera. If you hit your local thrift shop or an antique store it should be relatively easy to find a lens that will work. As you hunt for a lens there are a couple things to consider. First, it will be to your advantage if the lens is easily removed from the camera. If the shutter mechanism is part of the lens (as is common with older cameras) you will have to figure out a way to keep the shutter open permanently. This could be a challenge. You want the lens to be thin. A half inch is ideal. If your lens is too thick it will be too bulky to tilt and shift. For this example, I used the lens off a really old (but common) Argus 35mm camera. The lens is easily removed. It has a “T” setting for a shutter speed that keeps the shutter open for long exposures. This is handy for our needs because we want the shutter open permanently. If you go with the lens off an Argus don’t pay more than $10 because these are really junky cameras.
   
   

Now that you have all your supplies you are ready to start building your tilt-shift lens. Depending on the SLR you have and the type of lens you were able to secure, the following steps could vary quite a bit. Use the following instructions as a guide and improvise to suit your needs. The general idea is that you cut a section of a bike tire inner tube and stick your body cap in one end and an old lens in the other end. The rubber tube flexes enough to hold both parts tightly and it lets you move the lens freely in any direction that you desire.

Step 1: Remove lens from your junked camera
Strip away everything that you can so that you are left with as thin and small of a lens as possible. You can click on any of the images in this tutorial to see a larger photo. The third photo below shows what the Argus lens looks like from the back.

Step 2: Prepare your body cap
The body cap that I had was made of a soft white plastic, so I was able to use an exacto knife to cut out the center circle. Once you have the center of the body cap cut out you are ready to stick it in the inner tube. I started with a section of the tire that was about 4 inches long. You want more than you actually need so it is easier to work with. We will cut off the excess later. The diameter of the bike tire inner tube is quite a bit smaller than the lens cap, so it will take a bit of stretching and pulling to get it in there. It takes a bit of work, but the result is a tight fit that won’t move after you get it in there. That’s a good thing. At this point you can test to make sure that the body cap still fits in your camera.

Step 3: Insert Lens in the inner tube
Now in the other end of the inner tube you can insert you lens. The diameter of my lens was smaller than the body cap so it isn’t quite as much work to make this side fit. At this point you need to start thinking about focal length (the distance that you lens will be from your film. This is important because it will determine what is in focus at certain distances from your camera. If you want to take photos of things at midrange to far away you will want the lens to be as close to the film as possible. If you want to take pictures of things really close to the camera (macro photography) you should keep the lens further from the film. I couldn’t decide what I wanted so I left a little extra rubber so that I could move the lens depending on what kind of mood I was in.

A SLR like the Pentax K1000 lets you remove your lens without exposing the film, so if you want to adjust your tilt-shift lens halfway through the roll, just take the lens off, make adjustments and reattach. The other thing that makes an SLR ideal for this homemade tilt-shift lens is that what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what will end up on the film. So as you are moving your lens around you are getting a perfect preview of what is and what isn’t in focus. Test your tilt-shift lens out as you are building it to help you get a better idea of what to expect from it. Once you know where you want the lens to be positioned in the inner tube you can cut off any excess rubber.

Step 4: Attach your tilt-shift lens to your SLR
Now you have a tilt-shift lens. Depending on how tightly your body cap fits into your camera you may need to secure it better so that your lens doesn’t fall out. You can see in the photo below that I used some extra rubber from the tire to make large rubber bands that hold the lens on more securely. It makes an already ugly lens a little uglier, but it does the job. I think some body caps might screw into your camera body, and if you can find one like that then you wouldn’t have to worry so much about the lens falling off.

Step 5: Hack your camera so you can use its light meter
Your tilt-shift lens should work as is, but you probably won’t be able to use your camera’s light meter. If you want to have a working light meter there is one more hack that you will have to perform. Usually without a “real” lens on your camera body the light meter will be disabled. I can only speak for the Pentax K1000 so you will have to experiment with other models. If you find a solution for other kinds of cameras, please share your advice in the comments below. On the Pentax K1000 there is a tiny latch on the right. When a lens is put on the camera it turns this latch about an inch and a half and this turns the light meter on. I used a small piece of a twisty tie to wedge this latch into the “on” position. You will want to be careful that you don’t damage your camera as you are doing this. You will also want to be sure to remove the twisty tie before reattaching your other lenses.

Congratulations! You are done. If you had all the ingredients already it cost you nothing. If you had to buy everything from scratch it didn’t cost you more than $150 and you that includes a 35mm SLR! That is cheaper than a lensbaby!

Pentax K1000 = $100
Bicycle inner tube = $20 or less
Argus 35mm camera = $10
Total = Under $150!

Last but not least, here are a few samples from the first photos taken with my homemade tilt-shift lens:

References:
I was inspired by a post on mkaz.com where Marcus Kazmierczak attaches a lens with bellows onto a Nikon SLR. If you want to learn more about tilt-shift lenses, Wikipedia is a good resource.

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for tilt-shift lenses that you might be interested in:

MC 2.0/50mm TILT/SHIFT lens Olympus PEN E-PM1, PEN E-PL3 , PEN E-P3

US $349.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 5:07:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $349.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Arax Photex Arsat 35 mm tilt shift T/S lens for Nikon

US $621.15 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 2:43:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $621.15 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Canon TS-E 17mm F/4.0 Tilt Shift Lens

US $1,985.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 10:50:40 PST Buy It Now for only: US $1,985.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Nikon PC-Micro-Nikkor D 85 mm F/2.8 Tilt/Shift Lens

US $1,100.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 19:00:23 PST Buy It Now for only: US $1,299.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Canon FD 35mm TS SSC 1:2.8 Tilt Shift ....Rare Quality Lens - Great Cond...

US $749.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 15:34:46 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Canon TS-E 24 mm f/3.5L II Tilt-Shift Lens 3552B002 NEW

US $2,049.00 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 20:21:06 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2,049.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Arax Photex Arsat 35 mm tilt shift T/S lens Canon EOS

US $610.42 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 2:30:01 PST Buy It Now for only: US $610.42 Buy it now | Add to watch list

for Pentax M42 42mm Zenzanon Bronica Tilt-shift lens - 80 mm - F/2.8 set

US $469.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 13:01:22 PST Buy It Now for only: US $469.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Canon TSE Tilt Shift 17mm f/4L SLR Lens

US $2,209.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 17:38:08 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2,209.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Arax Photex 2.8/35mm TILT/SHIFT lens Sony A950 A850

US $599.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 12:22:59 PST Buy It Now for only: US $599.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

I finally got the camera I have always wanted. No, it wasn’t a Hasselblad or a Mamiya or a Leica. The camera that has been on my wish list longer than any other is the Pentax K1000. Sure, I could pick one up on Ebay for under $100 but I just figured that someday the classic camera would just find its way into my collection. That is pretty much what happened. I love having a story to go along with a camera and now I have one that I will probably be telling quite a few times in the future. Here is how the classic tank of a camera came into my collection…

I have coveted my friend Bennett’s K1000 for years and envied the $5 deal he found at a rummage sale. Knowing how much I coveted his Pentax, he has been on the lookout for a K1000 for me. After cleaning out his basement he made a trip to the landfill to drop off some junk. Shortly after entering the building he spotted something on a conveyor belt that looked familiar. It was a Pentax K1000! He flagged down a worker and was able to get the conveyor belts stopped. It took some negotiating, but he was able to save the camera from the doom of the landfill. Aside from a broken film counter, it was in perfect working condition. All it needed was a new battery and the light meter snapped back to life. Now that I have a K1000, I couldn’t be happier.

If you took a photography class in high school, chances are you used a K1000. The fully manual camera is (or was) the standard shooter for pimply-faced teens everywhere. Holding the Pentax K1000 is like going back in time to my days at Wentzville High. The faces of friends come back in focus. Walking the halls of the school with my friend Molly. The magic of the darkroom. The excitement of capturing something on film. And that sound! Is there a better sound in the world than the shutter releasing on a Pentax K1000 and the clicking as you advance the film? I don’t think so.

I would be willing to bet that part of the enduring appeal of the K1000 has a lot to do with similar nostalgia that the camera brings back to their owners. People that really cherish a camera know that it is more than just a picture making machine. It is an extension of who we are. As we look back through are photo albums and recall the special moments of our lives we remember that the camera was there. A silent friend, steadily documenting our lives and capturing the light that fills our memories.

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for Pentax K1000 cameras that you might be interested in:

VINTAGE ASAHI PENTAX K1000 35MM SLR FILM CAMERA W/ MANY ACCESSORIES + 200MM LENS

US $35.00 (13 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:07:25 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Pentax K1000 35mm SLR Film Camera with 50mm Lens

US $41.00 (16 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:20:08 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Asahi Pentax K1000 Instruction Manual: Original

US $8.90 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:39:09 PST Buy It Now for only: US $8.90 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Asahi Pentax K1000 Instruction Manual: Original

US $8.90 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:42:59 PST Buy It Now for only: US $8.90 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pentax K1000 35mm SLR Film Camera & Soligor 300mm Lens

US $44.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:00:17 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

ASAHI PENTAX K -1000 35mm CAMERA With Case and Ricoh 28mm Lens -NICE-

US $15.55 (3 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:00:56 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Pentax K1000 film 35mm camera 55mm lens kit

US $109.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:21:02 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Battery & Light Seal Kit: Pentax K1000 1000SE K2 KX KM LX ME Super MG MV MX P3

US $8.95 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:40:43 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Asahi Pentax K1000 Instruction Manual

US $9.90 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:51:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $9.90 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage Pentax Asahi K1000 Camera

US $69.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:57:29 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

A recent addition to my camera collection that is quickly becoming a favorite is the Yashica Electro35. It is an old rangefinder with a fast lens, a quite shutter, and accurate auto exposure. If you are like me and can only dream about owning a Leica, this camera might be just what you are looking for. They are a bargain on Ebay going for $25 or less.

The only downside of the camera is that they don’t make the 6v batteries anymore. Luckly, there are a bunch of enthusiastic fans of the camera that have figured out how to make modern batteries work in this antique. If you need battery help check out this thread in the Yashica Electro35 Flickr group.

If you are interested in seeing some of my photos from this camera you can click here.

The photo below shows what the viewfinder looks like. To focus the camera you align the image inside the diamond with the image outside the diamond.

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for Yashica Electro35 that you might be interested in:

Yashica Electro 35 GSN 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera See Video OF This Item L@@K

US $12.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:52:52 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Yashica Electro 35 CC Rangefinder Camera, CLA'd, A grade Condition 35mm f2 case

US $105.50 (3 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:30:04 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

YASHICA ELECTRO 35 GS RANGEFINDER 35mm FILM CAMERA & CASE KONICA LENS CAP

US $15.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:14:03 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Chrome Yashica Electro 35 Rangefinder Camera Neat!

US $39.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:32:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Yashica Electro 35 GSN 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera w/ case,cap,box,inst,adapter

US $39.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:38:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Yashica Auto - Up Close Up Lens Kit for Electro 35G, Gsn, Gtn - 80cm- 45cm

US $12.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:44:45 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

YASHICA ELECTRO 35 Rangefinder 35mm Film Camera

US $39.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 1:37:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Yashica G Electro 35 Camera w/ Color Yashinon DX 1:1.7 Lens F= 45mm

US $14.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 7:07:25 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

YASHICA ELECTRO 35 CAMERA CASE MANUAL AND LENSES.

US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 9:17:57 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Yashica Electro 35 GSN Rangefinder with Color-Yashinon DX 45mm f/1.7 lens

US $10.61 (5 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 12:42:08 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

The newest addition to my camera collection is the Canon AE1 Program. This is the automatic version of the AE1 which I reviewed a few months ago. It is just a coincidence that I got this camera at the same time as my Pentax Super Program becuase these cameras had to be competing against each other around 1984. I had to chuckle at the lens cap because it had “Official 35mm Camera of the 1984 Olympics” on it.

Both this camera and the Pentax Super Program represent the peak of consumer 35mm SLR cameras. They were reliable, accurate, compact, had great lenses, and could take a beating. This is pre “Rebel” days, before cameras became bloated with electronics and features that doubled the size and weight of cameras.

The controls are logical and easy to use. If you aren’t real sure what you are doing you can leave it on the automatic setting and not worry about it. When you want to go manual the controls are right where you would expect them. If I have a complaint about this camera it is that I miss the needle light meter of the plain AE1 version. Flashing lights and numbers can’t compete with the simplicity and common sense factor of a needle. This is a minor complaint, however, and I highly recommend this camera.

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for Canon AE1 Program cameras that you might be interested in:

Canon AE-1 Program Body & Canon Speedlite 188A Flash - As Is For Parts

US $9.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:37:07 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE CANON FD 50MM 1:1.8 LENS w/ LENS COVER for AE-1 PROGRAM CAMERA

US $39.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:55:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $39.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE CANON AE-1 PROGRAM 35MM SLR FILM CAMERA w/ FD 50MM 1:1.8 LENS

US $149.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 16:55:55 PST Buy It Now for only: US $149.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Canon AE-1 Program 35mm SLR Camera Body Used Exc

US $149.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:00:43 PST Buy It Now for only: US $149.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Canon AE-1 Program 35mm SLR Film Camera with FD 50mm 1.8 lens

US $15.50 (5 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:03:16 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

CANON AE-1 PROGRAM __+__ CANON FD 50mm F1.8

US $156.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:07:12 PST Buy It Now for only: US $156.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CANON AE-1 PROGRAM __+__ CANON FD 50mm F1.8

US $98.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:12:20 PST Buy It Now for only: US $98.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

CANON AE-1 PROGRAM __+__ CANON FD 50mm F1.8

US $112.50 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:17:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $112.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Camera Repair Service for Canon AE-1, AE-1 Program, A-1, AL-1, AT-1, FTb

US $45.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:31:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Canon AE-1 Program TOP HOUSING Silver AE1 NEW OEM RARE

US $27.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:00:14 PST Buy It Now for only: US $35.95 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

The Agfa Chief is an old metal box camera that takes 6×9 medium format negatives. I have watched other 6×9 cameras, the Agfa Clack, on Ebay in the past but it seems like they go for way more than they are worth. Needless to say I was pleasently surprised by the Agfa Chief and happy to add it to my collection. I couldn’t find much information about it, but the model I own was in good enough shape to motivate me to try and use it. With a couple very minor hacks I had the camera modified so it could shoot 120 film. If you ever come accross one of these at a thrift store I encourage you to pick it up because unlike some “bargain cameras” the Agfa Chief actually has plenty of life left. Here is what you need to know if you are going to convert it to a working camera…

The Agfa Chief takes 616 film. At least I think it is 616 because it isn’t marked. I thought it was 620 film at first, but after a little research I learned that 620 film is slightly smaller than a 120 spool. The 616 spool is about 1/4 inch longer than a 120 spool. This is actually makes the Agfa Chief a little bit easier to modify to accept 120 film because you don’t have to respool the film – you can just use the 120 rolls as is.

In order to let the Agfa Chief accept 120 film we need to fill the gap between the bottom of the spool and where it connects to the bottom of the film holder.

There are probably a bunch of things that you could use for this purpose, but what I found to work really well was a couple of “saucer” pieces from my box of Legos. As you know, this isn’t the first time I have used Lego bricks in a camera mod. Here is what they look like:

The nice thing about the Lego conversion was that it was the perfect size and the round shape allowed the spool to turn freely without any glueing or adaptation.

The next step of the process is to adjust the film guide. The opening is a bit too large for 120 film and as a result the bottom edge of the film won’t have any support unless we add a guide to the bottom.

Find a piece of plastic or thin and stiff cardboard about the weight of a cereal box. Cut the piece to 4.25 inches long by 0.4 inches tall.

Slide it into the back of the film guide. There is a lip that should hold this piece in place without any glue or tape.

If the piece doesn’t naturally match the curve of the back, you may need to cut the piece down a little more. Here is what it looks like after the piece is in place:

Now you are ready to load the film in the camera. It should look like this:

Insert the film holder into the camera body:

Close the back of the camera and turn the film advance knob until you see numbers in the little red box on the back.

Advance past the number one and stop when you see a two in the window. You are now ready to take your first picture. After you take your picture you will advance the film again until you see a 4 in the red window. We advance two numbers because this is how far you want to go to get a 6×9 image. There will still be about a 0.5 inch overlap of the pictures. If this is something that bothers you will want to add a 0.25 inch mask or more on the right and left of the film holder.

This next picture shows you how the numbers on the back of the film look. Obviously you don’t want to do this becuase opening the back will expose your film.

When you get to the number 16 you are on your last picture. A roll of 120 film will give you 8 images.

There are a couple of other things to conside when you use the Agfa Chief. First, you might not know what the “F” “I” “B” and “N” are on the lens.

I couldn’t find this documented anywhere, but this is probably a good guess:

“F” means that you are focusing on something far away. The “F” could also stand for “filter” because when the lens is turned as far as it can go towards the “F” a yellow filter slides into place behind the lens. Since the camera only has one shutter speed, you can adjust the exposure by using (or not using) the filter.

“I” means that you are using the standard shutter speed. I am not sure exactly what the i stands for (interval maybe?), but it corresponds to maybe 1/60th of a second. I say maybe because these cameras are so old that the actual speed of the shutter will vary widely.

“B” stands for “bulb” which means that as long as the shutter button is pressed, the lens is open. It is the only way you will be able to get an exposure in low light situations.

Finally, “N” means that you are focusing on something close to you. Since there is no filter with this option, this would be for use when there is less light than normal.

A safe bet for film in this camera would be 400 speed. In daylight you will get close with the “F” setting. That worked well for me, but I would guess that 200 speed film would work, too, maybe even 100 speed if you are on a bright day. Like most of these old box cameras cameras it is a crap shoot as to whether or not your pictures will turn out. Don’t get discouraged though because that is part of the fun of using one of these old things.

That is pretty much all there is to it. If you tackle this project, I started an Agfa Chief group on Flickr where I would love to see some of your photos. Good luck and happy shooting!

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for Agfa Chief cameras that you might be interested in:

AGFA BOX CAMERA LOT (2) PLUS AGFA CHIEF BOX TYPE CAMERA NEAT!!

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-13-2012 11:09:47 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Agfa Chief Camera with Flash

US $17.95 End Date: Monday Mar-05-2012 12:09:06 PST Buy It Now for only: US $17.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

I recently came into possession of a Pentax Super Program, a 35mm SLR made in the early Eighties. I have always wanted the completely manaul Pentax K1000, and since I already own the fantasticly automatic Pentax ZX5n, I wasn’t sure what I would think of the Super Program

While researching the Super Program I was impressed by the loyal following that this camera has earned over the years. People praise its reliability, exposure accuracy, small size, and sharp lenses.

One of the first things you notice about this camera is that it doesn’t have a shutter speed knob like a the old K1000′s or the newer ZX5n’s. When you are in the “M” mode (manually metered) or shutter priority mode you use the two buttons on the top of the camera to cycle betweeen shutter speeds. My preference is firmly in favor of knobs, but once you get used to the idea, the buttons are fine. There is a digital readout on the top and in the viewfinder that tells you what shutter speed you have selected. I guess my biggest complaint is that the controls aren’t real intuitive at first glance. Fortunately, it isn’t as complex as it first seems and once you get the hang of it it is pretty simple. Here is a photo that shows the main controls:

My ZX5n has a solid feel to it, but the Super Pentax has less plastic and just feels like it can handle more abuse. It feels like a machine as opposed to a an electronic device, if that makes any sense. It has more metal parts, but the weight is comparable to the ZX5n, which is a good thing. Compared to a K1000 it is slightly smaller as well. What I am trying to say is that it feels great in your hands. It makes you want to take it around the world in rough conditions and “dare” it to not perform.

So, it took me a little time to warm up to this camera, but now I am hooked. They don’t make cameras like this anymore, so if you have a chance to get one, I highly recommend it. Here is one more glamour photo to leave you with:

Here are some of the auctions on Ebay for Pentax Super Program cameras that you might be interested in:

Pentax Super Program 35mm SLR With 35 ~ 70mm Lens

US $99.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 22:51:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $99.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pentax Super Program Camera, cases, lenses, flash, EUC

US $150.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 3:13:35 PST Buy It Now for only: US $150.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pro Shutter Cable Release for Pentax K-1000 SE KM ME Super Program Plus

US $31.31 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 8:03:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $31.31 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PENTAX SUPER PROGRAM SALES BROCHURE/131596

US $15.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 15:08:57 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PENTAX SUPER PROGRAM CAMERA SALES BROCHURE/130700

US $10.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 15:09:12 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pentax Strap K1000 ME Super Program Plus P3 P30 A3000

US $4.50 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 9:41:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pentax AF-160Sa Electronic Flash- for K1000 ME MG LX Program Super Plus

US $10.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 14:38:20 PST Buy It Now for only: US $19.95 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Vintage ? Pentax Super Program Camera LOOK!!!

US $59.99 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 18:24:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pentax-M F2.0 50mm LX ME K1000 K110 K7 KX Super Program

US $45.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 6:12:56 PST Buy It Now for only: US $45.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PENTAX SUPER PROGRAM INSTRUCTION MANUAL

US $12.95 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 10:05:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list