How do you identify a camera lense?

Osso, that must have been a really cool camera !

makes ya wonder what it would be worth today..

well.... crap..

I was hoping this was going to be something like that Chet Atkins I found.

oh well.

Off to craigslist it goes.

Thanks yall.

So, how do you know that anyway?


Is there a website that helps with specifics? or are you just familiar with cameras and lenses.. ?


if so. can I tap your noggin on 2 cameras? hehehe

Oh, exterior flash too. My dad was a photo expert (head of the tech division, Wright Field, photography, for the army air force a long time ago.)

Would we could talk now. He was an oldie film editor - pulled the film and edited it for the air sequences in Twelve O'Clock High, an old movie, but something of a feat for the time.

On that camera, I doubt it was any big deal, but it was his camera and then mine, after my Brownie and maybe at the same time as my Instamatic. I fergit. But I did get the basics from that.

Ask away, shewolf - I've got about 40 years or so hands-on experience with cameras from sub-16-size still and Regular 8 amature cine cameras up through 16X20 sheet-film view cameras and 70MM PanaVision professional motion picture cameras - at one time or another, I've played with just about everything out there that used film. While I've pretty much "gone digital" now, I still have pretty capable 35MM, medium format, and 4X5 still kit and a couple of synch-sound outfitted 16MM motion picture rigs. I still use some of it once in a while yet - mostly just outta stubborness

If you've got a pre-digital camera-related question I can't answer, I'm pretty sure I can prolly figure out how to get an answer.

I gave away a much earlier projector...

but am okay with it, it was to a main editor of some imax stuff.

His interest was not for value either.

WOW!

thanks.

I will definatly ask , with clear pictures posted in a little bit.

Right now I am working on the 'fences' section of my graveyard thread..

So as soon as that is done, I will be back here.

Imax I never really played with - was around some folks who did, but I didn't get into the hands-on stage there. I was involved with setting up some of the integrated phone, intercom, and security system for an Imax theater once, but that ain't quite the same as playing with Imax

This guy didn't play with it, he was the imax editor.

(I worked in an interesting building.)

If he was good at it and enjoyed doing it, he played with it - even if he got paid for playing. Thats the deal with the best players in just about anything - the real pros get paid to play.

Yeh, he was good, should be near retirement now, I'll back up that he was working on imax, unlikely the main editor.


That was a hellofabuilding. I got some giant magazine in my mail, back when I had my own small studio, and brought the damn thing up to where we had our old studio as a group for some years, as it was addressed to them. They treated me like a possible terrorist, no kidding. It was a Super Mario Bros office, in an already locked building. Some damn thing about tennis.

I apologize if these stretch the screen. I uploaded them to flicker instead of waiting out one at a time on Image shack..

<er, sorry, Shewolf>

why?

you didnt do anything

But wait, whyn't you keep that camera... it's a pearl.

On why, I was riffing off into space as usual.

OK, I know, money.

I suspect it's a treasure you should keep as a usable camera.

shewolf: FWIW, I'm a prof photog and formerly in camera sales.

As you have discovered, the Vivitar 28 mm F2.8 lens is a moderate wide angle. The F2.8 is a typical aperture for that lens. It's not very valuable, particularly 'cause you can get a far better lens in a quality fixed focal length wide angle capability for very little money.

FWIW, manual focus lenses aren't too sought after these days unless they're Nikon or Canon or Leica, or perhaps Pentax and don't get paid much attention to on the used market. This one would go for about $10, at best , IF the lens isn't already fogged or dusty or if the lens elements decentered from being knocked about over the last 30 yrs since it was made. It was of mediocre quality optics. If it has an Minolta MD mount it is used ONLY by manual focus Minolta cameras ONLY. Vivitar made OK 3rd party lenses with a variety of mounts for all the mfrs. They also made enlarger lenses too, but I digress.

The Nikon F camera is another story. They still have good sentimental value, especially if they're well-maintained -- not an easy thing these days as repair facilities have an impossible time with finding parts (for the last 10 years). Nikon won't stock parts for them, though some independent repair facilities could ... if you know where to look (try Shutterbug Magazine for listings).

FYI, typically the gaskets for the light meter on the F1 get cracked and damaged and the shutter mechanisms wear out. If it hasn't been CLA
(cleaned, lubed and adjusted), the shutter timing is way out of synch, most often at the high speed and low speed ends. The light meter is probably long gone, though that's not a show-stopper. However, parts for the shutter could be the biggest problem.

If it works, keep it and enjoy it. '60s photojournalists loved them as they were almost bullet proof. The camera has a timer and a neat ability to take astronomy shots as you can lock the mirror open to take l-o-n-g time exposures.

The Nikon N2020 is basically a paperweight. A very outdated, primitive autofocus. Putting it bluntly, no one would want one on the used market. it's not too much fun to use either. Not a keeper, IMHO

Hope this helps