I have the silver one. I use Kodak Gold 200 as my every day film and Ilford HP5 B&W. This is a camera that use when I need to tell a story. Due to the cost of developing film, I also need to plan my locations and compose the shots. And the grainy look from either films , something classy about it as an added effect, that I don't get easy with digital simulation.
Thanks Kenneth. Great price for a great camera! In the late 60’s early 70’s, many an article stated the SP bested its Leica counter part on paper and in practice. The SP sold well, but did not surpass Leica’s numbers due to the prestige associated with the leica branding and to this day one still pays top dollar for old Leica’s from the time. Where as you now own a top of the line RF for a mere $100! Go figure?! BTW, the light meter IS NOT TTL and never turns off, so keep it in is case if you want the battery to last, but like you said, “it’s fully mechanical.” Enjoy!
Thanks for the video. Very helpful. I just found an identical one at Goodwill for $3. Ordered a battery, so I'm hopeful the meter works but glad to know it's still a great camera even if it doesn't.
There must be a way to shoot, say, 5 shots, rewind the roll leaving the lead out (easily done), then develop those five, leaving the rest of the roll intact for further testing of another camera. Just have rolls for testing proposes. I've just ran 36 shots through a new to me Voigtlander Bessa Vitessa 500SE. Also ran a roll of tri-x through my Olympus OM-1 to test the light seals I just replaced. 72 exposures where 10 at most were needed. ☹️
If you develop at home then it's simple: shoot what you need. Don't rewind. Open the camera in the dark, remove the film from the takeup spool and cut the film near to the cartridge. Develop the film you cut off, and shape a tongue and reload the rest of the roll.
Had one in silver version. The lens has 7 elements . The Black version is pretty rare, and beautiful. I still have another SP35 and i must repair it, meter does not work. I slightly prefered the Canon G-III QL Canonet QL 17 over the SP35. The lens on the Canonet is also very sharp.
Oh, on a side note… if anybody wants to to shoot with the 42mm/f1.7 on the cheap, pick up the Olympus 35 UC. It’s the ugly sibling of the SP with its strange black framing around the front windows. Ugly as sin, but the same mechanics and lens as the SP. Thanks Kenneth.
There is something magical about old rangefinders!!! I am a fan of the old Kodak Retina series!!!
Yes, me too, especually the IIIC.
I have the silver one. I use Kodak Gold 200 as my every day film and Ilford HP5 B&W. This is a camera that use when I need to tell a story. Due to the cost of developing film, I also need to plan my locations and compose the shots. And the grainy look from either films , something classy about it as an added effect, that I don't get easy with digital simulation.
So good, this one. Great storytelling machine!
Thanks Kenneth. Great price for a great camera! In the late 60’s early 70’s, many an article stated the SP bested its Leica counter part on paper and in practice. The SP sold well, but did not surpass Leica’s numbers due to the prestige associated with the leica branding and to this day one still pays top dollar for old Leica’s from the time. Where as you now own a top of the line RF for a mere $100! Go figure?! BTW, the light meter IS NOT TTL and never turns off, so keep it in is case if you want the battery to last, but like you said, “it’s fully mechanical.” Enjoy!
Thanks for the video. Very helpful. I just found an identical one at Goodwill for $3. Ordered a battery, so I'm hopeful the meter works but glad to know it's still a great camera even if it doesn't.
Huge win! Excellent!
Interesting, as usual.
A steal!
:-)
There must be a way to shoot, say, 5 shots, rewind the roll leaving the lead out (easily done), then develop those five, leaving the rest of the roll intact for further testing of another camera.
Just have rolls for testing proposes.
I've just ran 36 shots through a new to me Voigtlander Bessa Vitessa 500SE. Also ran a roll of tri-x through my Olympus OM-1 to test the light seals I just replaced.
72 exposures where 10 at most were needed. ☹️
Yes, bulk load short rolls.
If you develop at home then it's simple: shoot what you need. Don't rewind. Open the camera in the dark, remove the film from the takeup spool and cut the film near to the cartridge. Develop the film you cut off, and shape a tongue and reload the rest of the roll.
@@NicDade Great idea! I'll try it.
Had one in silver version. The lens has 7 elements . The Black version is pretty rare, and beautiful. I still have another SP35 and i must repair it, meter does not work. I slightly prefered the Canon G-III QL Canonet QL 17 over the SP35. The lens on the Canonet is also very sharp.
I never use the meter, just sunny 16. So yours is perfectly usable.
Oh, on a side note… if anybody wants to to shoot with the 42mm/f1.7 on the cheap, pick up the Olympus 35 UC. It’s the ugly sibling of the SP with its strange black framing around the front windows. Ugly as sin, but the same mechanics and lens as the SP. Thanks Kenneth.