Vintage Camera Digest

Hey everyone! Just wanted to drop a note about the channel, what's been going on, and some potential changes coming up.

First off - you all certainly noticed that there wasn't a new video for nearly 2 months. And I'm going to lay the blame on the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex (and me, too). I went DEEP down the ZI rabbit hole - acquiring literature and picking up accessories like close-up lenses and the interchangeable film backs. I even filmed a shoot with the camera and multiple backs - took me several days because the weather sucked and every time I went out to get this done, it rained on me. But then came the crushing blow - I was completely shot down because I came to find out (after all of this) that both film backs had massive light leaks - ruining every single shot of each roll. I'll be the first to admit that this is totally my fault for not film-testing either of these prior to filming. But many hours and dollars were wasted, and my resulting attitude was f*** this! So, I took a break from cameras for a few weeks and restructured the production schedule/redirected my efforts.

So...as interesting as the Contaflex camera system is...I managed to find its Achilles' Heel. I still have plans to cover it, though, as soon as I can manage to replace the light seals in the backs. Who knows when that'll be, but I refuse to be beaten by a camera. We'll see.

In other news, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the content here. I have no doubt that the usual content is what I want to continue publishing. It's what I enjoy. I enjoy the backstories and histories and all of that. But my videos are TOO long.

I tried to think of the last time I actually chose to watch a YT video that was near the 30-minute mark. I couldn't think of one. And that's a problem. And I can't keep expecting channel growth without me addressing this is some way. For the episode I'm editing at the moment, I went into it with the idea of paring it down to the most important info. And it's still too long. So, the plan going forward will be to provide the same basic type of content (all the info I want to share), but break it up into shorter modules of more easily-digestible content. Should be easy enough to do. Instead of getting one 30-minute video, you'll just get two (or 3) 15-minute ones - organized appropriately, of course.

Additionally, I've come to realize that in a lot of cases, the "photo shoot/field use" portion of these videos can get bloated. There will probably be less of that, initially. However, I absolutely do not want to abandon that. Because that is where I get to talk about thought processes and photography in-general. And I believe that content is worth creating and sharing. I just won't be doing that with every single camera I cover. I will reserve that for the more interesting and unique models.

Anyway, we will see....as they say about the "best laid plans...."

Thoughts? Ideas? Critiques? Let me hear it.

1 week ago | [YT] | 72

Vintage Camera Digest

Hey everyone - just a quick update. So May came and went without any new videos...good grief. It was just one of those times where every single work project I'd been doing seemed to be wrapping up at the same time. The best thing about all that, of course, is getting to send out final invoices! And to celebrate the completion of said projects I decided to pick up a camera that I've wanted for a long time: A Canon New F-1. I'll be taking a couple of months to get familiar with it, but after that I expect to do a short series on the evolution of the F-1. So that'll be coming up.

Also in the works is a series on leaf shutter SLRs that will include the Kodak Retina Reflex, the Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex, Topcon Unirex, and maybe the Kowa SET. The motivation here was mainly to check out the lenses. The Kodaks use Schneider and/or Rodenstock glass, and the Contaflex cameras are outfitted with Carl Zeiss. So it seems one could hardly go wrong here. Of course there are limitations set by the leaf shutter that will come into play, but this won't be a deal-breaker. Plus, with certain Contaflex cameras, you get the really cool option of having interchangeable film backs for 35mm. I think that will find itself extremely useful in doing some comparisons on film stocks.

Additionally, I've had a Minolta a-7 in my bag for a few weeks, so that'll be coming up soon, too. That one has enough modern tech that it almost seems like a digital camera that shoots film.

And a couple of months ago I mentioned the possibility of doing a community assignment and featuring the results. This is definitely going to happen. So be on the lookout.

Anyway, all of this is to say that even though y'all haven't seen my face, my brain continues to be fully-engaged in dreaming up new content for the channel. The list of cameras, topics and ideas is still plentiful! See you soon!

3 months ago | [YT] | 69

Vintage Camera Digest

Hey everyone - work was a bit busier than I expected this month. I got behind on my production schedule, and here it is almost April without a new video - good grief. Rest assured, though, there is more on the way!

5 months ago | [YT] | 56

Vintage Camera Digest

Welcome to the VCD community section! I haven’t been using this section of the platform as much as I should, but I’d love to hear from the community here. I know we can cover a lot in the comments sections, but it might be easier and better in the long run to use this space, too. So let me know what’s on your mind.

1 year ago | [YT] | 22

Vintage Camera Digest

I have several rangefinders currently at my disposal to review. Which should go first?

1 year ago | [YT] | 12

Vintage Camera Digest

Which Ricoh camera should I review next?

1 year ago | [YT] | 12