Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 531/2
It is rare these days to find a gem for the price of a rock on eBay. About a month ago, I put in a low bid for a Super Ikonta more for a laugh than anything else. The starting bid was $10 for this beautiful piece of German engineering. I threw out a small bid of $20 just to see what happened. About a week went by and I forgot about it, but by a sheer miracle, I won this beautiful camera that was manufactured in West Germany between 1949 and 1950, according to the serial number.
When the camera arrived, a Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 531/2, it was in amazing condition. The 105mm f/3.5 Tessar lens was clean. The Compur-Rapid shutter operated smoothly and the times were perfect. And amazingly, the focusing lens travelled buttery smooth with the right amount of friction as to be just a tiny bit stiff. I have dreamt for years about having a Super Ikonta. Even though I prefer 6x6 or 6x4.5 frame sizes, I do like the 6x9 format, even though it does eat up a ton of film! One roll of 120 film in this camera will get you 8 shots! With today’s prices on film, that is not a lot. These cameras originally came with a 6x4.5cm mask. If any of you know where I can get one of these for a decent price, please let me know.
Due to this camera arriving so clean, I did some minimal cleaning and took it out for a test shoot. I took it out on the Peach Orchard Loop Trail that I’ve discussed before. It performed flawlessly. It was not the best time of day or season, but the detail captured in the large 6x9cm photograph blew my mind. I had a small issue with an old batch of 510Pyro during development, but the photographs still turned out well.
I look forward to using it again in the future. However, the use case for a wide format medium format camera is limited. I do landscapes, but as expensive as film is, I will have to be picky about when I use it. I still can’t believe I actually have one of these cameras. This model sells regularly on eBay for $249.
Below, you’ll discover photographs of the camera and the photographs it took. When I use it in the future, I will update this blog post.
Minolta Maxxum 100-300mm lens w/ Sony LA EA5 Adapter
In this short review of the Minolta Maxxum APO 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens, I discuss how well it works on newer mirrorless cameras with the LA EA5 adapter. I also provide sample photographs.
When I arrived home from work today, I grabbed the Sony A7Cii, the LA EA5 adapter that I discussed yesterday, and a Minolta Maxxum 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens. I headed down to the lakes at Green Valley Park in the hopes of photographing some wildlife. There were a lot of people out walking their dogs. The ducks were very photogenic. As I was walking around the lake in the hope of catching something somewhat wild, I discovered the same great blue heron that I had photographed on Wednesday.
The heron was standing regal, facing into the wind. He ignored me for the most part, perhaps because we had met before. He stood there for a bit, turning for me to get a good shot. The Sony A7cii has character recognition. It can detect animals and birds and their eyes. It is amazing how well it works. I took a $20 lens that you can purchase on ebay and got some amazing results. It does suffer from chromatic aberation, but most lenses from the 80’s do have this issue. In fact, some brand new lenses suffer from it.
You can spend $1500 and get sharper results, but why would you do that unless you’re shooting wildlife all the time and make money from it? It’s a logical question, right? I have all of these old AF Minolta A-mount lenses from the 80’s and 90’s. Why not make use of them. Some are better than others, of course, but they work surprisingly well with the new adapter. For any of you with a fairly new Sony mirrorless camera, get the adapter and a few A-mount lenses. You will not be disappointed. Below you’ll find a sample gallery from today’s shoot.
Peach Orchard Loop
Hiking the Peach Orchard Loop in the Tonto National Forest is an exhilarating adventure that awakens the senses. The trail weaves through the mountains and up them to a ridge and fire road.
When I got up this morning, I realized that I had the day off. I have been thinking about going hiking since we moved to Payson, Arizona, but I never seemed to have the time when I felt like going. Today, I decided I was going. Deana went off to work, so there was no reason I should not go. It was a beautiful day with some rare warm winds up here at 5,000 feet.
At present, I don’t have any autofocus lenses for the Sony A7C ii. So, looked over my m42 and k-mount lenses. What I’d love to have is a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, but I don’t have that kind of money to throw around. I settled on a 1980’s Soligor 35-70mm f/2.5-3.5 variable aperture zoom lens. It’ is a lens that I have tested. It is not as sharp as a new lens, but for its age and uniqueness as having a macro extension tube built in, it’s a great little versatile lens.
I grabbed that trusty camera and lens combo, along with an extra Pentax 28mm f/3.5 lens as a backup just in case, and headed eagerly out the door. I hopped on my XP 3.0 Lectric bike and sped down the paved road to the trail head, which was conveniently located across the street from the beautiful Payson Golf Course. I had not yet explored this particular trail, so I had to rely on the All Trails app for information about the loop and its various features along the way.
As I started my adventurous journey down the fire road/trail, I couldn’t help but laugh at how easy this loop seemed to be thus far, which led me to believe that I’d be home in time for a delicious lunch. The views surrounding me were breathtaking, and they were absolutely well worth the hike, making every step feel rewarding. However, in a moment of distraction, I missed my turn and accidentally ventured an extra quarter mile down the fire road before the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. After a brief moment, I backtracked and managed to get back on the intended trail. Yet, within just a few hundred feet of finally arriving on the trail, I quickly realized it wouldn’t be so easy after all. The fire roads are comprised of gravel and are generally easily traversed, but I had a feeling my adventure was just beginning!
The trail that cuts between the fire roads is extreme. All trails stated that it was moderate. Sure, the rest of the trail is moderate, but the very steep incline halfway through the loop is extreme. I used to hike three times a week with people younger than me and army rangers, but this trail would be a struggle for them. I’m older now and a bit out of shape. The “Trail” was literally a wall of rock and dirt that I had to gradually crawl up.
The ascent of the steep incline took an hour, but the panoramic views ultimately justified the effort. I was astounded by the extent of my visual acuity, even in my state of blindness, and the distance I had traveled from the town. Despite the exhaustion, I found myself in a state of laughter and exhilaration. I had conquered a mountain, experiencing solitude, divine presence, and the profound beauty of nature. The ceaseless hum of Main Street, the dazzling lights, and the relentless roar of passing cars were mere echoes in the valley below. I stood there, momentarily overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of sight and the splendor of our world. While some may perceive this place as mere sand, brush, withered trees, and barren mountains, I see it as a living, breathing entity brimming with life, beauty, and the awe-inspiring Majesty of God.
After catching my breath, I headed down another fire road that traverses the ridge and leads back down to the trail head. It was getting late and I was getting sore, so it took me a little bit. I did make it home in time to meet Deana for lunch and enjoy each others company. The loop was supposed to take an hour and a half. It took me 2:40. Mind you, I stopped a lot to take photographs. I ended up hiking 3.4 miles around the loop, given I had missed a turn and had to turn back.
I will pay for my adventures tomorrow, but it was worth it. Spending time in nature is important, and it is good exercise. And, I got some amazing photographs out of it. There will be a gallery below. Please give them a look and let me know what you think about my adventure and the photography.
