Rudolf Kingslake has a web page on the  history of camera and lens companies in the Rochester, NY area. The two main companies are Bausch and Lomb and Kodak. Among the cameras discussed, the Speed Graphic of the Graflex camera line. It is a very interesting history

Looking for an excellent portrait lens for your rangefinder or SLR camera?  Like to gamble? Look no further.

The Jupiter 9 85mm f2.0 lens is available in a variety of mounts: LTM (Leica Thread Mount), Kiev (Contax), M42, and is a very very nice lens that is also a bit of a gamble. A lot of later versions made in the former Soviet Union were either not well assembled or have been repaired (read ruined) and misassembled.

Earlier date of manufacture (see serial number) is better than later.

Lens mounted on  a Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R (LTM mount):


Two test photos made with the Jupiter 9 on the Bessa R:



Above photo shows good focus at 2-2.5 meters.



The second shot of Sylvester shows that at minimum focus distance, about 1 meter, although the rangefinder/viewfinder of the Bessa R shows focus on the cat's eyes, but the truth is the lens is a little further out.  This is about as good as the Jupiter 9 gets. Some examples are way off and need repair or junking.  But if you get a good one, you have a great lens.

(These photos are stored on my account on flickr, try flickr it is the best photo sharing site on the web)

for a fun ride check out http://www.merrillphoto.com/JunkStoreCameras.htm and see photos of and photos taken with a wild assortment of junk store cameras

fun site, well done

"Photoethnography is the art and science of representing other cultures visually."

That is Karen Nakumara's introductory definition to her site, photoethnography.com.

She has divided her site into these major areas: About, gallery, technique, photoethnographers, equipment, courses, links.

I have found her discussion of equipment especially interesting. She owns and uses many classic cameras.

Pour a cup of coffee, get comfortable and set aside a good chunk of time to read her site.

Nikon F2 professional level systems camera body was introduced in 1971. "Photomic" refers to the metering viewfinder head which this example is shown with. The Nikkor 85mm lens, perfect length for portraits, is in the old Nikon lens mount, the non-AI mount. While this means it cannot be mounted without damaging almost all more recent Nikon bodies (the FM is one exception that permits non-AI as well as AI mount lenses) it has superb quality and can be bought used for a very reasonable price.

Photography in Malaysia is a website that has a lot of information about Nikon cameras and lenses, the link below will bring you to the page with everything you want to know about the Nikon F2 Photomic.

Pentax S1a 35mm SLR camera with Super Takumar 55mm f2.0 lens - meterless camera body
  Pentax Spotmatic with Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 lens - built in light meter

Digital cameras are taking over but for a small investment perhaps $75 you can purchase a Pentax SLR and lens and take some wonderful photographs. eBay is the place to look for current prices. Pentax lenses for these models are referred to as "screwmount" or "M42".  A 200mm f4 lens can be had for around $100. There are many bargains to be had. These lenses are of equal optical quality to the lenses of today and may surpass some of the "kit" lenses sold today. With an adapter, you can use these lenses on Pentax DSLR cameras with some reduced functionality. These metal constructed optical wonders are still very useful.

She lives in Iceland and is a portrait artist and photographer and one of the most popular photographers on flickr. Her photographs cover a range of subjects: self-portraits, portraits of her children, Icelandic landscape, objects in motion, multiple exposures (quite a few in which she appears twice). She has great skill and wit and imagination. She is also strikingly beautiful.

A serious artist with a great sense of humour.

I particularly enjoy the photographs of Iceland. It is a place I dream of visiting.

Gene M has been buying old cameras for several years and often finds unfinished rolls of film inside. He has mastered the art and science of using current film chemistry to develop old film. But more importantly he opens these "time capsules" and we are then able to see the past.

here is a recent page showing an old Brownie camera that used the old 620 film format  http://westfordcomp.com/classics/brownieflash620/june06/index.htm

The link below is the main photographic page for the site. Click on Films Found in Old Cameras and marvel at what Gene has accomplished in his photographic archaeology.

I first encountered the exceptionally fine photography of Ian MacEacheran over on photo.net. His photos of industrial workers and of New Brunswick life (1960s) as well as other subjects are outstanding. His photos of an asylum are especially moving.

His skill, his attention to composition and in conveying story through his images is second to none. If you want a treat for your eye and soul, check out his work.

MacEacheran was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, in 1942.

He has used Leica rangefinder cameras and the Nikon F SLR. His work is mainly in black and white.

At photo.net, MacEacheran has photos at : http://www.photo.net/photos/iwmac