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woodrim
Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:50 pm Post subject: Tele-converters |
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woodrim wrote:
I had intended to ask the folks here about tele-converters before making any purchase, but then saw two M42 2x tele-converters on ebay for $9.99 - one Vivitar and one Soligor. I put in the opening bid not expecting to get it, but no one else bid. That's not a good sign; I suppose I have just bought junk. So now the question: Which converters are worthwhile and don't kill lens performance? The one I had back in the 70's was pretty bad. I think I may now have two more of them. _________________ Regards,
Woodrim |
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Anu
Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 879
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Tele-converters |
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Anu wrote:
woodrim wrote: |
I had intended to ask the folks here about tele-converters before making any purchase, but then saw two M42 2x tele-converters on ebay for $9.99 - one Vivitar and one Soligor. I put in the opening bid not expecting to get it, but no one else bid. That's not a good sign; I suppose I have just bought junk. So now the question: Which converters are worthwhile and don't kill lens performance? The one I had back in the 70's was pretty bad. I think I may now have two more of them. |
I recently tested several and the safest bets were Soviet KOHBEPTEP (or something like that) and East German converters. At least if you use APS-C camera. |
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Rusty
Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 435 Location: Mosselbay, South Africa
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Rusty wrote:
They do make very nice extension tubes if you knock the glass out _________________ Daniel |
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westromat
Joined: 10 Mar 2010 Posts: 9
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: Tele-converters |
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westromat wrote:
woodrim wrote: |
I had intended to ask the folks here about tele-converters before making any purchase, but then saw two M42 2x tele-converters on ebay for $9.99 - one Vivitar and one Soligor. I put in the opening bid not expecting to get it, but no one else bid. That's not a good sign; I suppose I have just bought junk. So now the question: Which converters are worthwhile and don't kill lens performance? The one I had back in the 70's was pretty bad. I think I may now have two more of them. |
Hi there,
I bought a Vivitar Automatic TC 2x-1 for some Euros mainly to screw up my Vivitar tele-zoom to a nearly 1:1 ratio for macros. This works relatively well, in terms of IQ the performance (resolution) drops of course and the combination is a lot more prone to purple fringing, but for doing a quick'n'dirty ultra-tele-shot or on-the-fly macro this works for me ok (the goal is that i don't have to carry both a dedicated macro and ultra tele lens, the Vivitar is heavy enough ). _________________ M42: Soligor 35/2 - ISCO Westromat 35/2.8 - Pentacon 50/1.8 - Eximar 135/2.8 - Hanimex 200/3.5 - Vivitar 70-210/3.5 |
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Excalibur
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 5017 Location: UK
Expire: 2014-04-21
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: Tele-converters |
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Excalibur wrote:
westromat wrote: |
woodrim wrote: |
I had intended to ask the folks here about tele-converters before making any purchase, but then saw two M42 2x tele-converters on ebay for $9.99 - one Vivitar and one Soligor. I put in the opening bid not expecting to get it, but no one else bid. That's not a good sign; I suppose I have just bought junk. So now the question: Which converters are worthwhile and don't kill lens performance? The one I had back in the 70's was pretty bad. I think I may now have two more of them. |
Hi there,
I bought a Vivitar Automatic TC 2x-1 for some Euros mainly to screw up my Vivitar tele-zoom to a nearly 1:1 ratio for macros. This works relatively well, in terms of IQ the performance (resolution) drops of course and the combination is a lot more prone to purple fringing, but for doing a quick'n'dirty ultra-tele-shot or on-the-fly macro this works for me ok (the goal is that i don't have to carry both a dedicated macro and ultra tele lens, the Vivitar is heavy enough ). |
Well I bought a Viv 70-150mm and with it was a matched Viv 2Xs extender......well I tried it with a Canon FD 135mm and Vivitar 135mm, and the Canon results were OK and I would say the viv was good (not razor sharp). _________________ Canon A1, AV1, T70 & T90, EOS 300 and EOS300v, Chinon CE and CP-7M. Contax 139, Fuji STX-2, Konica Autoreflex TC, FS-1, FT-1, Minolta X-700, X-300, XD-11, SRT101b, Nikon EM, FM, F4, F90X, Olympus OM2, Pentax S3, Spotmatic, Pentax ME super, Praktica TL 5B, & BC1, , Ricoh KR10super, Yashica T5D, Bronica Etrs, Mamiya RB67 pro AND drum roll:- a Sony Nex 3
.........past gear Tele Rolleiflex and Rollei SL66.
Many lenses from good to excellent. |
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luisalegria
Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 6602 Location: San Francisco, USA
Expire: 2018-01-18
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:08 am Post subject: |
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luisalegria wrote:
By reputation, the Kiron 7-element (also sold as a Vivitar) and the Komura Telemore are supposed to be some of the better ones.
On your lenses, practically speaking, who knows. Try what you have.
Practically, all are going to be at least a bit disappointing unless you stop down. That said, even the most unlikely ones can give very sharp results at a lens aperture of f/8 (effective f/16 on a 2X).
TC's are not in great demand now and huge numbers were made back in the day, so they can be had effectively for free in lots. _________________ I like Pentax DSLR's, Exaktas, M42 bodies of all kinds, strange and cheap Japanese lenses, and am dabbling in medium format/Speed Graphic work. |
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Anu
Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 879
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:58 am Post subject: |
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Anu wrote:
luisalegria wrote: |
Practically, all are going to be at least a bit disappointing unless you stop down. That said, even the most unlikely ones can give very sharp results at a lens aperture of f/8 (effective f/16 on a 2X).
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It all depends. If one is shooting with APS-C, and has rock solid lens to use with the teleconverter, wide open is not any kind of problem. But I must emphasise that having a rock solid (prime) lens is very important. And of course the choice of teleconverter is just as important. |
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 6950 Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:03 am Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
I have a Vivitar 3x and it's not really useable. Ok for fun but not for serious shots. _________________ Casual attendance these days |
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hinnerker
Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 929 Location: Germany near Kiel
Expire: 2015-08-09
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Tele-converters |
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hinnerker wrote:
Anu wrote: |
I recently tested several and the safest bets were Soviet KOHBEPTEP (or something like that) and East German converters. At least if you use APS-C camera. |
+1
After testing some in M42 Mount, this was the one which works best IMHO.
If i use a TC, i take my Leica TC but thats another Level of performance and price.
The following shots all wide open.. !
Leica 2xTC + Elmarit 2.8/180mm MKII (pre APO), EOS 5D
same combination..
An old Telyt 4/250mm + TC + EOS 400D = f8/800mm
And a last one, taken with Summilux 1.4/50mm + 2 x TC...
EOS 5D
Cheers
Henry _________________ some light-painting lens stuff..
... and an EOS 5D MKII
www.digicamclub.de |
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timo832000
Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 544 Location: Germany / Cologne
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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timo832000 wrote:
The results of the Leica t-con are very well, can you also post some crops of these images?
Timo _________________ I love Leica ! But I need Pentax |
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woodrim
Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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woodrim wrote:
My only reason for buying those TCs is for extending my 200mm. I see no advantage in doubling a short lens to accomplish only what one of my longer lenses would provide. I suspect these two are old dogs, but we'll see. My 200mm is sharp, but does suffer from purple, so this should be interesting.
As an aside, I had heard that the lens mount adapters, that include glass to correct for registration distance, degrade IQ. I'm sure that's true, but I'm actually quite surprised at how well they do. I had ordered a plain ring adapter from China to allow me use of some old lenses in macro mode, but they sent me the adapter with corrective glass. I can see issues at the edges, but the centers are pretty sharp. _________________ Regards,
Woodrim |
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likealens
Joined: 19 Feb 2010 Posts: 25 Location: Indiana, US
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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likealens wrote:
The Leica R APO 1.4X and 2.0X are superb. The Leica R 2.0X (non APO) is a major step down but still better than any others that I have seen. Sometimes I think the APO extenders improve my IQ with non APO lenses. _________________ I like to shoot birds. My gun is a Canon. My bullets are Leica. |
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walter g
Joined: 20 Feb 2010 Posts: 2463 Location: NC, USA
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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walter g wrote:
Try your tele's on different lenes including some of the shorter ones.
You might find a combo you really like.
Depending on which Vivitar tele you bought, you might really like it.
I bought My Tele for my 80-200 one touch lens And I really like that combo.
I got a real good price on mine. It's a JC Penney 2x. with case NOS for 10 bucks.
It's identical to some Vivitars I've seen.
Walter _________________
Main cameras
Panasonic G5,Nikon J1,Pentax Q10,Sony Nex 6
Minolta MC W SI 2.5/28, MD 2.8/28, MC W SG 3.5/28, MC Celtic 3.5/28, MC W HG 2.8/35, MD Celtic 2.8/35, QE 4/35, Rokkor X 2/45, MC Rokkor X PG 1.4/50, MC Rokkor X PG 1.7/50, MD Rokkor X 1.7/50, MD 2/50, MC Rokkor PF 1.7/55, MC Rokkor PF 1.9/55, Auto Tele Rokkor PG 2.8/135, MC Tele Rokkor QD 3.5/135, TC 4/135, MC Celtic 4/200, MC Tele Rokkor PE 4.5/200
MD 28-70 f3.5-4.8, MD Macro 35-70 f3.5, Md 70-210 f4, MD Rokkor X 75-200 f4.5, MD 100-200 f5.6
Nikon Nikkor 4/20, O Auto 2/35, S Auto 1.4/50..... Miranda Auto 2.8/28, Auto 2.8/35, Auto 1.4/50, Auto EC 1.4/50, Auto 1.8/50, Auto EC 1.8/50,Auto 1.9/50, Auto 3.5/135
Various Soligor,Sun,Fujita,Komura,Spitatone, etc. Lenses
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Russ
Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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Russ wrote:
WhicH Vivitar is it? If it's the "macro-focusing" unit, it's a very good 7 elemend design. If not, it's nothing special. The Kiron MC-7 is very good too.
Kiron Kid _________________ 'A photograph that mirrors reality, cannot compare to one that reflects the spirit"
Russ |
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woodrim
Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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woodrim wrote:
I haven't received them yet, but here is the sale picture:
My guess is junk. No one else bid. _________________ Regards,
Woodrim |
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Russ
Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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Russ wrote:
woodrim wrote: |
I haven't received them yet, but here is the sale picture:
My guess is junk. No one else bid. |
Woodrim
You won't want to use them for serious work. Look for the Vivitar "macro-focusing" teleconverter or the Kiron MC-7 unit.
Russ _________________ 'A photograph that mirrors reality, cannot compare to one that reflects the spirit"
Russ |
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westromat
Joined: 10 Mar 2010 Posts: 9
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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westromat wrote:
Russ wrote: |
woodrim wrote: |
I haven't received them yet, but here is the sale picture:
My guess is junk. No one else bid. |
Woodrim
You won't want to use them for serious work. Look for the Vivitar "macro-focusing" teleconverter or the Kiron MC-7 unit.
Russ |
Hi,
the left one seems to be identical to mine. Some pics:
Viv 70-210, macro, and TC 2x,
f8, 1/250
and f3.5, 1/250
perhaps not for serious, but fun work
greetings _________________ M42: Soligor 35/2 - ISCO Westromat 35/2.8 - Pentacon 50/1.8 - Eximar 135/2.8 - Hanimex 200/3.5 - Vivitar 70-210/3.5 |
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Mike Deep
Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 319 Location: Upstate New York
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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Mike Deep wrote:
woodrim wrote: |
I haven't received them yet, but here is the sale picture:
My guess is junk. No one else bid. |
I have the one on the left. I smashed the glass out some time ago to make it a 25mm extension tube. _________________ Rocket Launch Photography
Olympus: 24/2.8 MC, 28/3.5, 28/2.8 MC, 35/2.8, 50/3.5, 50/1.8 MC, 50/1.4 MC, 35-70/3.6, 75-150/4
Nikon: C 24/2.8, AI-S 28/2.8, K 35/2.8, F 55/3.5, C 55/1.2, 105/2.5 (5/3), 105/2.5 (5/4), F 135/2.8, F 200/4, No. 5T
Pentax: 28/3.5, 35/3.5, 50/1.4 (8/6), 50/1.4 (7/6), M 50/1.4, SMC 55/1.8, 105/2.8, SMC 135/3.5, 150/4
Tamron: SP 17/3.5 151B, 28/2.5, 135/2.8 T-135, SP 300/2.8 60B, SP 35-80/2.8-3.8 01A, 80-210/3.8-4 103A, SP 1.4x TC 140F, SP 2x TC 01F
Vivitar: 24/2 (Kino), 28/2 (Kino), 50/1.4 (Cosina), S1 90/2.5 (Tokina), S1 28-80/2.8-3.5 (Kino), 70-150/3.8 (Kino), S1 70-210/3.5 (Kino), 2x Macro TC
Etc: Yashica 3.5cm/2.8, Fujinon 50/1.4, Yashica ML 50/1.4, Tomioka Yashinon 55/1.2, Mamiya/Sekor 55/1.7, Sigma 90/2.8
That's a lot of 50s. |
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woodrim
Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 2:28 am Post subject: |
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woodrim wrote:
Pictures didn't look bad at all. Some Photoshop and all will be good. At a minimum, it'll be fun to test out. I'll report back with images. _________________ Regards,
Woodrim |
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aoleg
Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 1387 Location: Berlin, DE
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:13 am Post subject: |
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aoleg wrote:
Vivitar 2x Macro Focusing Teleconverter (exact name from the unit itself) is no slouch either. It's one of the better TC's out there, has 7 elements, and is allegedly built by Kiron. Its optical performance is quite good for a doubler, and it also has a focusing helicoid, allowing lenses to focus closer. WIth a 50mm lens, it gives 1:1 macro. _________________ List of lenses |
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PaulC
Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:03 am Post subject: |
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PaulC wrote:
I got a Vivitar 2x in 2003 when I was starting out in digital. I tried it with the useless 75-300 (3.5-5.6) Canon lens and got such crap results that it went into a drawer and got forgotten. A few weeks ago I got it out and tried it with the Canon 70-200 f2.8L and was surprised to find the results were not bad at all, even on a 5D Mk2, so I wouldn't (any longer) dismiss all these cheap TCs as being worthless. _________________ View or buy my photos at:
http://shutterstock.com/g/paulcowan |
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spleenone
Joined: 26 Dec 2009 Posts: 1130 Location: Slovakia
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:17 am Post subject: |
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spleenone wrote:
I heard (or read) about formulas which told that with 1.4x conv you have to stop down one stop and for 2x it is two stop. On digital body with digital convertors it said that is will automatically compensate with TTL metering. It is about that for better IQ degraded with conv glass is better to stop down doesn't it? How it really works? _________________ Shoot on analog mainly with
Nikkor glass
then Pentacon6TL for squares
and Fujica GL690 in case of 6x9
Carpe diem! |
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PaulC
Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Posts: 2318
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:35 am Post subject: |
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PaulC wrote:
You don't stop down. What happens is that the teleconverter reduces the amount of light reaching the camera, so my f2.8 lens with a 2x converter on will only allow as much light through as if it was an f5.6 lens.
In modern SLR cameras, the meter reads the incoming light so it should give you the right reading, anyway.
If you are calculating the aperture using a separate, external light meter then you would need to make an adjustment for the lost light but not many people do that nowadays. _________________ View or buy my photos at:
http://shutterstock.com/g/paulcowan |
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alex
Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 561 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:38 am Post subject: |
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alex wrote:
In my impoverished youth I had a couple of tele-converters of modest cost, and they put me off tele-converters. These days, I use Zeiss Mutars, and they confirm that old adage about getting what you pay for. _________________ Alex |
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spleenone
Joined: 26 Dec 2009 Posts: 1130 Location: Slovakia
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:53 am Post subject: |
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spleenone wrote:
@ PaulC: Now it's clear to me. Giving a sense. Thanks. _________________ Shoot on analog mainly with
Nikkor glass
then Pentacon6TL for squares
and Fujica GL690 in case of 6x9
Carpe diem! |
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