Been Busy was in Vancouver now in California

Been pretty busy getting back in shape working as a few months gets you out of shape and forget things. I have had some time to get out and take some pictures but being pretty lazy here in California. Have shot some film but not a whole lot using the Ikota most of the time and have a Minolta Autocord that I am using some. We that pretty much up dates what is going on but hope to add some new picture to the web site so might check that out but long ways from being up dated.

On the Road Again

Well I have been home and staying pretty busy and not taking time to keep the blog up. I hope to do a little better job while I am on the road and be able to share some pictures from my travels. I have completed a three part video that I have on youtube about replacing bellows on Isolette and Speedex models. Both of these are great cameras even though a lot of people will shy away form the Ansco Speedex models but these are very nice cameras and can usually be picked up at a good price. The Speedex models are basically just a re branded model of an Isolette. I don't care what lens it comes with you can still get some fine pictures from them. Actually I kind of like the Speedex R over the Isolette III because it was made for export to the U.S. so it is in feet instead of meters. Well check out the videos when you get a chance and maybe I will post them on here sometime soon.

Minolta Autocords perform Great

It has finally come a time that I have to sell off some of my TLR's and folders. I just got a couple Minolta Autocords back from being CLA'd and shot one of them and as all Autocords I have shot in the past it took really nice pictures.

I have a couple folders and I put new bellows on and fixed the focus as most have bad bellows and frozen focus. Took these out on there little film test run and they really did well. One is a Agfa Isolette I with the Apotar lens and the other its export model the Ansco Speedex 45 with the Agnar lens. They say the Agnar are the bottom lens and the Apotar ids the middle to the Solinar but as hard as the Solinar is to find today I would say the Apotar is the top lens and Agnar second. For my taste they both performed well and really can't tell them apart I don't think. Who ever ends up owning either of these camera for the money I think they will be really happy. I have a couple pictures handy from them so will post now.

Busy working on cameras and not taking pictures

I have 2 cameras loaded to go out and shoot soom shots and they have been siting for a week now. Been working on making a bellows for a Agfa Isolette 6x6 and then have a old Minolta Autocord torn down and rebuilding it. Waiting for some missing screws for it and then hope to get it back together. Finally did get around to making the shutter tester that I have had parts to make for a few months. No pictures but been busy and scanning a bunch of negatives over and getting organized. Pictures soon

Minolta Autocord 1958 Model great camera For Sale

Well haven't posted for awhile and now I am at home and been here a few weeks. I came home as Elena has to have an operation so we are waiting for that. While I have been home trying to check out some cameras I have around. Elena and I went to the Charlotte County Fair and took a couple cameras with us. She sported a new RolleiMagic I while I took a Minolta Aotocord 1958 Model. The RolleiMagic performed really about what we had thought it might but she said very boring doing everything automatically.

The Minolta Autocord performed as the other Autocord that I have and enjoy shooting. This 1958 model sports the Seikosha-MX shutter, 1-1/500 sec, with LV, Synchr.X-M-F and the usual great Rokker lens 75mm. This camera is in great shape and wow takes great pictures. Check out a few more pictures taken with this camera on my Flickr site and Minolta 209024. Will have some more white ups on some more cameras hopefully here in the near future. This camera is for sale if any one is interested drop me an email.

No pictures today no time to take

Well my work day started out early today as the site I had to visit was almost a 4 hour drive. I left early with the idea to get out early and head back and be at the hotel before dark. Well that part went well I left at 6:30am and got there OK and got done early and so headed out and on schedule to be at the hotel before dark. Couple hours down the road and raining but has all day so that was expected. About 2 hours to go and get to Interstate 5 south and now the road is closed because of snow. They have no idea when it will be opened and it must have started snowing shortly after I went through this morning. Well now I can get a hotel and hope it will be clear early morning or take another route. I have work tomorrow so decided best to take another route. Well this route is heading east and back over some mountains and through the high desert. This is a long ways and it was snowing in the mountains but here it is not the elevation that it is in the other pass so not too bad. Does it snow in the high desert; well I will say I had heard it can but today I saw that it does. Well anyway after lots of miles and rain, snow and getting dark I finally made it to the hotel. Only took about 7 hours for the return trip so have a pizza ordered and going to take it easy.

Today just a day of staying in

Well stayed in today and developed all the film that I had taken not really all that much. Today the rain started and supposed to rain all week. So not much else going on a couple pictures of my darkroom and sorry about the focus on the one. It is laundry day and will start that here before to long that is always fun!

Just a day off taking pictures

Well was a pretty nice day to get out and take some pictures. Started the morning off taking a few pictures at a surfing competition. It was from small kids on up to teenagers I think is what it was. Got a few good pictures and about as good as I can do with the lens that I have with me. I did take a few film pictures and a couple 4x5 so will be interesting how those turn out.
From the surfing competition I headed to the mountains and what do they do there they ride dirt bikes. I saw this place going to work one day and new I wanted to come back on the weekend. Had a nice time meet with another photography and he kind of showed me the ropes as to a couple good spots to locate and get some pictures. Here I took a few film pictures and these too will be interesting on how they might turn out. I might stay in tomorrow and develop pictures not real sure have Monday off and supposed to start raining for a few days so if nice might go some place. These guys on the dirt bikes enjoyed cameras and would do what they could to provide great pictures.

Not much going on today

Not much going on today did go for a ride and took a few pictures. The main thing I wanted to add to day is a link to a Ventura Newspaper.
http://www.vcstar.com/photos/galleries/2010/jan/15/photos-day/7060/

Just a couple quick pictures

Well got back from work a little late and by the time I do a few things time to go to bed. I just wanted to share a couple pictures I did take today just to show a little of my 1 1/2 hours to work today. The first picture I took before I left for work and spent a few minutes at the beach. Second picture I took right after getting out of work about 2 miles from where I was working. Pretty big contrast as to what an 1 1/2 drive can do. I am not sure it wasn't going to snow in the mountains that you see which was only another short drive to be in the snow.

Down to the beach this morning

Well went down to the beach to take a few pictures and really nothing special but took a couple. Will head for work here in a little bit probably about 11 or so. Here is a picture down at the pier.

Today was Travel Day

Well I haven't kept up doing much posting for a few days but taking care of my cold and trying to take some pictures. I did actually stay in all day Saturday but was busy developing some 4x5's that I had taken. I do have some film I need to do and I stopped off at a guys house in Hollywood on the way to Ventura Beach to pick up some items I hope will make developing film a little easier. Maybe more on that when I give it a try. I did go up in the mountains for a bit on my way so I could at least say I was in the snow. There were hundreds and hundreds of people out snow boarding and what they do in the snow. Since I was still trying to take care of my cold I did wear a long sleeve shirt and was plenty warm. I took some pictures but didn't mess around too long as I had told the guy in Hollywood I would be there about 1 but still pretty much took all I wanted. This picture is from today. Will try to get some from the beach sometime this week.

Fighting cold but did do some pictures

Well had a pretty good day at work and took some pictures before work and some after. Tried to get some sunset but not all that great. Took a few 4x5 but don't feel like developing them tonight but I will have to tomorrow night as I need the holders for going to the Joshua Trees Friday. Well here are a couple pictures and will try to make it an early night on the computer and just watch some TV.

Some quick Shots before going to work!

Well tried to get a little time in as it is very difficult after work so got a few pictures. Loaded up the 4x5 holders tonight so all ready and in hopes to maybe get a few pictures tomorrow using the 4x5. I will develop them here at the hotel but sad because I will not be able to get them scanned and share any if they are pretty good. We anyway I have caught a cold in the 3 days I have been here and nose is running like crazy so will call it a night here soon. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

California

Well hope everyone had nice Christmas and New Years, can't believe it has been since the 10th December my last post. Well have been home for the holidays and did a lot of film developing and even got time to do some print enlargements that were pretty good. Well any way I am here in California in the mountains a little right now and pretty nice. Had long day at work but got a few pictures before work that I will share and hope to get some more tomorrow so check back.