Nemrod Siluro

Em português 

I have some diving and underwater photography experience, but I had never seen or heard about this camera, until I saw one on OZBOX photostream, at Flickr.

I googled it, just to try to know more about it, and found this nice example on a local auction site, contacted the seller, went to see him and the camera.
It was a nice young man from Vila Nova de Cerveira. His father at some instance bought this camera but had no idea of what it was, the son insisted that it was a diving camera, he didn't believe it due to the flash unit, he thought it wouldn't work underwater.
They made some inquiries and found what it was and had it for sale.

After inspection of the camera, money changed hands and I came home with this beauty.

This camera was made by Nemrod Metzeler, S.A. in Barcelona, Spain.

and it was distributed by Vilarrubís y Sagué, S. A.

Sagrera, 44 - 55, Barcelona - 13, España

The Nemrod company, named after the bible character of Nemrod the hunter, king of Babylonia, was a manufacturer of diving and spearfishing equipment, they produced this camera from 1960 to 1966

It's moulded in a kind of heavy Bakelite, known as Novodur.

It has close resemblances to the Mako-shark, by Healthways, California, with the benefit of using 120 film instead of 620 and having a dedicated flash unit, invaluable for underwater photography.

The lens is a 70 mm fix focus and aperture, 1-2,5m, f:16

The shutter is a very simple single speed type, 1/55 sec.

Built-in inside the back there is a pair of lead weights to make it's buoyancy neutral.

Made to be water tight at 40 meters.

Valve in the front to pressurize it.

It provides twelve 6 x 6 exposures on 120 film, the film advance, via scalloped knob, is controlled by the ruby window, on the back.

The power, for the exterior flash unit,is provided by a 22,5 V battery and it uses an 100 μF 25/30 V capacitor, both housed inside the body.

Dimensions and weight: 16,5(d) x 27(l) x 20(h) cm, 1.550 kg (including flash)

In a nutshell it is an underwater box camera.

Let's see how it's made:

Left to right: ruby window rubber cover; back cover, containing the ballast weights and film pressure plate; 

 

the front with the camera itself and the flash electronics; 

 

flash unit; adapter to XM-1 bulbs. 

The controls: up the shutter release, down the film advance knob; the logos; flash connectors.

  

The flash unit may use MB2/3 bulbs

 

Or, via the included adapter, XM-1 bulbs

 

For underwater use white bulbs are the best choice, blue bulbs for topside use.

It's an amazing piece, seen from any angle

Even the sports finder is great

 

This is a curious feature, the pressurizer valve, you can use a bike pump to do it, it provides positive pressure inside and, if some gasket is leaking, on the immersion the diver will see a stream of bubbles denouncing it, giving him time to take it out of the water, before any damage occur.

The only fault in the camera was a broken piece in the inside, some kind of adapter, that glued quite all right.

I'm not sure what it's function is as you can see in the following pictures: on the left one there's a kind of adapter, that gives an extra clearance between lens and film plane, of about 5 mm.
On the picture on the right I removed the adapter.

 

I can only guess that the adapter is for close range photography, mainly underwater, and removing it probably it will focus from 2/3 m to infinity, for topside use.
It's just a guess, as the camera doesn't have B position, I haven't yet tested my supposition.
If someone can confirm or discredit my theory I would be must obliged.


Stay tuned (o;

#36 Nikon F-601

Em português 

Nikon F-601 aka N6006

This one was a gift from my uncle, Jorge Sá Dantas.

When he knew that I was collecting cameras, he called me to his house and gave me this Nikon F-601, with the AF Nikkor Zoom lens 35-70 mm 1:3.3-4.5  and a beautiful Rollei A110, of which I will tell you about  in the next post.

This camera was manufactured by Nikon from 1990, it's a middle term between the F-401 (N4004) and F-801 (N8008),  but as it was released two years later than the f-801, some features were enhanced, mainly the focus prediction.
It was the first Nikon camera to use lithium batteries, a 6V CR-P2 type. 

It's a nice usable camera with it's nice auto-focus, maybe a bit slow by today standards, but the electronic rangefinder, as manual focus aid, is quite useful in low light or other tricky situations, with the most of Nikkor lenses.

The metering system is excellent, five segment matrix reading, centre weighted or spot reading.

The exposure modes cover almost anything: full AE, with two option P and Pm, Shutter or aperture priority and manual. Unfortunately in manual mode there is no metering info.

The built-in flash may be used as a fill-in flash or as main flash at close range, if I have the need for real flash photos, I use my SB-28 that woks very well in TTL mode together with it, but you can also use a SB-23, SB-24,...   

 

As you can see above, the controls disposition is the one that we got used with the 90's Nikons.

 

If I can find a week spot in it is the film advance in continuous mode, only 2 fps, my F-301 (N2000) of 1985 had already a 2,5 fps performance. Anyway it's not a feature that I use much, film is too expensive nowadays for great performers.

Following some pictures taken with it:

Nikon F601 Specifications:

From the Instruction Manual

Type of camera:	Integral-motor autofocus 35mm single-lens reflex
Picture format:	24mm x 36mm (standard 35mm film format)
Lens mount:	Nikon F mount
Lenses:	Nikkor lenses having CPU contacts, AI-S-type Nikkor lenses*, AI-Nikkor lenses* and AI-modified Nikkor lenses* * with some limitations
Focus modes:	Autofocus and Manual with Electronic Rangefinder
Autofocus modes:	Focus-Priority Single autofocus and Release-Priority Continous autofocus
AF detection system:	TTL phasse detection system using Nikon advanced AM200 autofocus module
AF detection range:	Approx. EV -1 to EV 19 (at ISO 100)
AF lock:	Possible once stationary subject is in focus in Focus-Priority Single AF mode; in Focus-Priority Continuous AF, focus can be locked by using AE-L/AF-L level when AF-L function is set
Electronic rangefinder:	Available in Manual focus mode with AF Nikkor or other AI-type Nikkor lens with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster
Exposure metering:	Three types of exposure metering systems: Matrix metering, Centre-Weighted metering and Spot metering
Metering range (at ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens):	EV 0 to 19 for Matrix and Centre-Weighted metering; EV 4 to 19 (at ISO 100) for Spot metering
Exposure meter:	Activated by lightly pressing the shutter release button; stays on for approx. 8 sec., after lifting finger from button.
Exposure modes:	Programmed Auto (Pm and P), Shutter-Priority Auto (S), Aperture-Priority Auto (A) and Manual (M) modes
Programmed Auto exposure control:	Camera sets both shutter speed and lens aperture automatically; Flexible Program in 1 EV step increments possible
Shutter-Priority Auto exposure control:	Aperture automatically selected to match manually set shutter speed; shutter speed can be set in 1/3 EV steps
Aperture-Priority Auto exposure control:	Shutter speed automatically selected to match manually set aperture
Manual exposure control:	Both aperture and shutter speed are set manually; shutter speed can be set in 1/3 EV steps
Exposure compensation:	With exposure compensation button; +/- 5 EV range in 1/3 EV steps
Auto expsosure lock:	By sliding the AE lock lever while the meter is on.
Auto exposure braketing:	3 or 5 frames can be taken of the same subject using a variety of exposures (with compensation degrees of 0.3, 0.7 or 1 EV between each frame)
Shutter:	Electromagnetically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Shutter release:	Electronicmagnetic type
Shutter speeds:	Lithium niobate oscillator-controlled speeds from 1/2000 to 30 sec.; stepless in Programmed auto and Aperture-Priority auto exposure modes; 1 EV steps in Shutter-Priority auto and Manual exposure modes; Electronagmetically-controlled long exposure Bulb setting
Viewfinder:	Fixed eyelevel pentaprism high-eyepoint type; 0.75X magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; 92% frame coverage
Eyepoint:	approx. 18mm
Eyepiece cover:	Model DK-5 (provided) prevents stray lights from entering viewfinder
Focusing screen:	Fixed Nikon advanced B-type BriteView screen with cental focus brackets for autofocus operation
Film speed range:	ISO 25 to 5000 for DX-coded film; ISO 6 to 6400 can be manually set
Film speed setting:	Auto for DX-coded films and manual setting available
Self-timer:	Electronically controlled; timer duration selectable from 2 to 30 seconds in one-sec. increments; blinking LED indicates self-timer operation; two-shot self-timer is possible; can be cancelled at any time
Reflex mirror:	Automatic, instant-return type
Flash sync control:	Normal sync, slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync provided
Built-in TTL flash:	Guide number 13 (at ISO 100, 20C and meters); angle of coverage: 28mm lens or longer; TTL auto flash including automatic balanced Fill-Flash is possible
Flash synchronisation:	In Programmed Auto or Aperture-Priority Auto, shutter operates from 1/125 to 1/60 sec. (or 1/(focal length) in use at lens focal length less than 60mm) in normal sync or 1/125 to 30 sec. in slow sync; in Shutter-Priority Auto or Manual exposure mode, shutter fires at speed set, and when set from 1/250 to 1/2000 sec., shutter is automatically set to 1/125 sec.
Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash:	Possible with built-ion flash or Nikon dedicated Speedlights such as SB-24, SB-23, SB-22, SB-20, SB-18, and SB-16B
Manual flash light output compensation:	Can be controlled from +1EV to -3EV in 1/3 step increment
Flash ready light:	Without flash: Blinks when using flash is recommended (with scene brighrness f`darker then EV10 at ISO100 or higher at ISO100 where the center portion is darker than other areas by more than 1 EV); With flash: lights up when built-in flash or dedicated Nikon Speedligh is ready to fire, or blinks to warn of insufficient light for correct exposure
Accessory shoe:	Standard ISO-type hot-shoe contact; ready-light contact, TTL flash contact, monitor contact
Film loading:	Film automatically advances to first frame when shutter release button is depressed once
Film advance:	In S (single-frame) shooting mode, film automatically advances one frame when shutter is released; in CH (continuous high) or CL (continuous low) shooting modes, shots are taken as long as shutter release button is depressed; in CH mode, shooting speed is approx. 2.0 fps; in CL mode approx. 1.2 fps
Frame counter:	Additive type; counts back while film is being rewound
Film rewind:	Automatically rewinds by sliding film rewind lever while pressing film rewind button; approx. 26 sec per 36-exposure film roll or 19 sec. per 24 exposure film roll; stops automatically when film is rewound
Camera back:	Hinged back, unchangeable
Number of 36-exposure film rolls per fresh battery*:	With AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-f/4.5 At 68oF (20oC) At 14oF (-10oC) Without Flash: 75 22 With 50% Flash: 16 3 With AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-80 f/4-f/5.6D At 68oF (20oC) At 14oF (-10oC) Without Flash: 60 29 With 50% Flash: 17 3 * For Focus-Priority Continuous autofocus operation with the lens covering the full range from infinity to the closest distance and back to infinity before each shot, at 1/125 sec or faster shutter speed in CH  film advance mode Note: Frequent use of the flash, or exposure meter, AF motor, etc. (activated by lightly pressing the shuuter release button) may weaken the battery faster than indicated above.
Power source:	6V lithium battery pack (Duracell DL-223A/CR-P2 type)
Battery power confirmation:	Battery power is sufficient if shutter speed and aperture indications appear on the LCD panel and viewfinder by turning on or by lightly pressing shutter release button, and remains on for approx 8 sec. after finger is removed from the button; battery power is insufficient if these indications turns off immediately after finger is removed from the button; if LCD blinks and shutter does not operate, battery is exhausted or improperly loaded
Dimensions (WxHxD):	Approx. 154.5 x 100 x 66.5 mm (6.1 x 4.0 x 2.6 in)
Weight (without batteries):	Approx 650g (23.0oz)

# 35 Agfa Isolette V

Em português 

As I told you before: I'm a sucker for Isolettes.

This time I'm going to introduce you to my Isolette V.

This one like some other cameras in my collection came from the *Bay.

At the time this one arrived home I had already three sisters of hers: 

Isolette 4,5, Isolette III and Isolette II

This is a very nice example of an Isolette V.

Manufactured by Agfa Cameraverk München, around 1950

It's a folding bellows, auto erect camera.

The lens is an Agfa Agnar 4,5/85 on a three speed Vario shutter, by Gauthier (AGC):
1/25, 1/75, 1/200 sec. and B, with  flash synch.

It uses 120 film producing twelve 6 x 6 cm exposures per roll.

The film advance, using the round, knurled knob on the top left of the camera is controlled by a ruby window on the back door.

On the right strut, a button, marked as T, if pulled up, in the arrow direction, blocks the shutter release, and,  if the B position on the shutter is chosen, it gives time exposures. 
The shutter release is that chromed tab by the shutter barrel, above the T button

and not, as we might expect, the button on the top plate, that's the front door release.

Like in the other basic models there is no rangefinder or exposure meter but, it has an accessory shoe where I sometimes use a rangefinder and for the exposure assessment an hand-held exposure meter or the sunny 16 rule does the trick.

Some pictures taken with it:

On the above picture I'm using a combination rangefinder/light-meter branded Repometer

Stay tuned (o;

My cameras in Portuguese

As you may know I'm Portuguese, I have this pages in English, so I can reach a broader audience.
As from today I'm going bilingual: every time I post in here there will be a Portuguese translation published in Cameras & Cia


Stay tuned (o;

#34 Voigtländer Vitoret

This was the first 35 mm Voigtländer camera in my collection. I bought it in October 2008, at a flea market.

It was very dirty and the shutter was frozen so I made it a CLA

The CLA

Started by removing the top, give it a light wipe with lighter fluid and a thorough clean to the, very dirty, viewfinder:

  

  

Next came the shutter and lens.

After a thorough clean, it was time to reassemble it all:

First the mid lens, followed by it's retainer ring:

  

The shutter speed ring and the shutter dust guard, with the depth of field marks:

  

The scalloped retainer ring and the front lens:

  

And finally the focus ring:

The finished job

  

The Camera:

It was an entry level camera based on the Vito line.

This was the most basic of a large family, manufactured by Voigtländer  Sohn AG, at Braunschweig, in the former West Germany, during the 1960's.

Compact simple viewfinder type

Vaskar 2.8/50 lens on a three speed, central leaf shutter by Gauthier (AGC), Prontor 125 shutter, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 and B, with flash sync.

Film advance by a flushed lever that also cocks the winder

The best feature is the very big and bright viewfinder, provided with bright framing lines

The rewind release is located on the top plate, where you would expect to find the shutter release. The rewind is made using the knurled knob on the left of the top plate.

The shutter release is located on the front right, by the lens barrel, a remote cable can be attached to the bottom of it.

It has a film counter on the bottom plate, manual reset.

You can find it's manual at Mike Butkus' Orphan cameras

Some shots taken with it:

In these shots and the ones on the respective Flickr set you may notice some blur in the corners.

This was due to an incorrect assembly of the middle lens, during the CLA. Meaning that the A part (adjust) didn't go very well, I know that I checked the focus but, just in the middle and it was fine, for all distances.

I corrected the situation, checked it in the corners and it's good I just haven't tested it with film yet.

Stay tuned (o;