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Brian Levy: Re: what equipment to buy-- Kodak vs FED
- From: P3D Elliott Swanson <elliott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Subject: Brian Levy: Re: what equipment to buy-- Kodak vs FED
- Date: Sun, 20 Oct 1996 09:55:50 -0700 (PDT)
As a Kodak fan I agree with Eric's response re the Kodak as a good user
camera, but with a caveat-- you need to buy one from a source who has
given it a full solvent cleaning, checked the mechanical operation and
adjusted the infinity focus... someone who can tell you what the shutter
speeds really are for that specific camera, 'cause they won't be what it
says on the scale. Re a 9 year old using it, well... ok, but be sure you
have-- and use-- a good modern neck strap (if your camera has the original
leather strap, either put it on the shelf with your collectibles or in the
garbage-- I recommend the latter). The Kodak is not as robust as the
trusty Realist, but it is lighter, takes good pictures, and is, as Eric
describes, simple to use.
Now, re the FED, I found it to be an excellent camera. Mine had been
through the full Hewes and Kagen (remember them?) upgrade, adapted for
modern batteries, had the light leaks fixed, and the electronics tuned. As
FEDs come off the shelf from some importer, they aren't much unless you're
very lucky. But a tuned camera in good weather with relatively fast film
(asa 100 or 200)-- e.g. normal photographic use for a father and son photo
outing-- the autoexposure/aperture is perhaps a real advantage. We're not
talking about salon competition here (though the optics are sharp enough
for that, and after a bit of use, you learn the way aperture functions).
Just set distance, point and shoot. And the 7p images are closer to what
people expect to see in terms of proportions in the modern world of
photography. If you get a FED, buy it from someone who will sell it tuned
and give you a warranty-- preferably a year. Then take the camera out and
do a calculated test under various conditions with markers for distance.
You'll find the aperture issue isn't that much of a problem. Anyone who
has a well tuned FED and thinks it's a doorstop simply hasn't taken the
time to learn the camera. And if all you really need are father and son
snapshots-- a perfectly viable use of the camera-- you don't need to
bother with learning the camera to use it for salon competitions! Just go
take pictures and have some fun!
The squarish 5p images we're all used to appear to be some kind of
abberation to non stereo fans. :)
--Elliott
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