Testing testing

[JamesT]

A couple of shots from a test roll in a Semi Leotax:

The "obligatory" Last Laugh, and the Letcombe Brook just the other side of the fence.

This is a folding medium format camera shooting 16[1] 6x4.5 frames on a roll of 120 (semi was the name used for many Japanese cameras of this format). It's actually about the same size as my compact digital.

 

[1] With care I think 17 should be possible.

[Korky]

That camera sounds interesting - any chance of a look at it?

Korky

[JamesT]

7 hours ago, Korky said:

That camera sounds interesting - any chance of a look at it?

I'll try to get some shots tomorrow -- easier in the daylight.

[JamesT]

On 21/12/2017 at 09:32, Korky said:

That camera sounds interesting - any chance of a look at it?

Here are some shots of it:

Not alongside the digital compact as that was in use.

[kev7d]

How old is the camera?   Looks great with the bellows.   

[JamesT]

28 minutes ago, kev7d said:

How old is the camera?

I'm not certain.

The tubular viewfinder identifies it as a Semi Leotax DL, which according to CameraWiki was manufactured from 1950 to 1955. It appears to be one of the later models, but they are clearly not as well-researched as some other cameras. So the best I can do is early 50's, probably 1953 onward.

It's pretty basic, but it is a genuinely pocketable medium format camera.

[kev7d]

Wow, it’s seen a few years.   Nice one.  

[vanguard]

now that's a proper old camera.

[Korky]

It is indeed an interesting bit of kit and I can understand the attraction to do 'proper' photography. But would I swap my digital delights? Nah!

Thanks for posting these, they really grabbed my attention.

Korky

[JamesT]

7 hours ago, Korky said:

It is indeed an interesting bit of kit and I can understand the attraction to do 'proper' photography. But would I swap my digital delights? Nah!

I like trying different formats, in fact I just got a 5x4 large format -- the first set of images are hanging up drying right now. 

These days, it doesn't feel right using digital except for wildlife. Mostly I take the 35mm SLR for other stuff, but variety is the spice of life.