What's your latest acquisition?

Did you buy the one on eBay Kris with the 28-105mm FA on the front?

Love that camera - it's the noise it makes when the shutter fires!

No, it was a different one. Apparently they resemble busses... I was surprised how small the MZ-S is. Feels well built, however.

I've dug out my MZs which I've been planning to check and get rid of. Of the five I own, three have suffered the broken cog problem: an MZ-5N, an MZ-3 and an MZ-6. The survivors are another 5N and a 30.

On it's way, a Meyer Optik 100mm f2.8 . An early version with 14 blades in m42 mount

This is the first MZ series camera I have had that actually works. TBH, I've not been that interested in them either preferring A-series and earlier bodies. I've always been curious about this one model, and so far I rather like it. It is smaller than I imagined (makes the K-3iii feel large) but still has that well-built feel to it that I like. The other MZ series cameras I have had a passing acquaintance with all felt a bit flimsy.

Pentax FA 20-35mm on its way to me from Ffordes. Said light hazing in the listing. When I enquired about it the reply was there was no hazing in the optics?!! Well for £199 I'm gain!

Well done Barrie. You will love it. Just treat the iris gently.

I haven't used an MZ for years but despite being light and flimsy they are remarkably small and feel quite good in the hand. I stuck my silver 43mm Limited on the MZ-30 yesterday and it's a lovely small combo and the only camera that the silver 43mm looks good on.

I put a landscape on the main gallery recently. It was taken by the Ensar/ K1 ensemble on the left. It's a 100mm f4.5. The other Ensar 105mm/ 4.5 on
the K3 has only just been cleaned and converted. You will notice that both are set to 'T' which keeps the shutter permanently open until you release it
(unlike 'B' which only keeps the shutter open while you are holding the release down). This lets you see what's going on in the viewfinder or in live
view while you focus - exactly like any other lens you might use.




They do look distinctly odd but the quality of the pictures they produce makes their appearance quite irrelevant. Once I have given the 'new' one a run
around the block I will post some of the results.

An FA 28mm f2.8 from LennyBloke. Since damaging my back in January, light weight primes have become strangely attractive.

Steve

I bought a Asahi-Kogaku 50mm f3.5 lens from Japan. It arrived after 4 days in Melbourne.
I already had a 37-42mm adapter ring and fitted the M42 to K adapter together with a rubber O-Ring to keep the light out.
The lens is a 4 element Tessar copy and the Pictures are very sharp. This is another of my vintage lenses.
It does make great pictures.
Regards., Horst

My new lens arrived today

I've ordered an SFX with an F 50mm f/1.7. I recently got an F 50/1.7 but I like it a lot more than my FA (which I'll be selling soon) and also the DAL 50/1.8 so I reckoned I'd get a spare and get rid of the other AF 50s.

I don't need an SFX (I think I have three SFXns) but this one looks brand new in the photos so maybe I'll keep it.

Shucks! I was just about to ask if you wanted another one!

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall... Well it didn't fall of a wall but it certainly fell from grace.




Just acquired this Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8 from a well known website. Described as in good order but with lots of dust. The seller however failed to mention a lumpy focus and a non working aperture. I honestly don't know how some people get away with such woeful cringeworthy descriptions. I should really have returned it but as they don't come up for auction all that often...

Anyway, it didn't come in bits, I've stripped it down following a careful inspection and decided to attempt some repairs. The aperture was dismantled, cleaned, rebuilt and re-installed prior to taking this snap. The rest of the body work has been thoroughly cleaned inside and out, the helicoid degreased and and new quality helicoid lubricant applied. The glass although filthy was otherwise unmarked, though some oil stains, probably as a result of outgassing were evident on the outside surfaces of the inners of both front and rear lens blocks. However, after a good clean all the glass has come up pristine with no damage whatsoever.




This is the lens now rebuilt with silky smooth action and apart from the odd minor scuff on the exterior paintwork it is now in perfect working order. It's been a long day today but well worth all the effort.