testing the Kodak Signet 50 with Watameter II

[Katastrofo]

I bought two of these cameras off ebay (one was $8.50) and decided to test how accurate
the Watameter II is:

indifferent CVS processing/scans, expired KG100 (thanks Moira!)





outfit:

[Attila]

German RF surely accurate congrats! nice pictures!

[Katastrofo]

[iangreenhalgh1]

Camera looks very capable, what lens does it have?

I like all the shots, IQ looks really good, I particularly like #3.

With better scanning and some PP I bet these would look much better. I've had a few rolls processed at my local Asda (Wal-mart) and the scans they produced looked crap, but when re-scanned on my Epson 3200 I got pretty nice results. Colours look a bit off to me, a bit too blue perhaps, this could be improved with a better scan of course.

This model is another one we don't see in the UK.

[Katastrofo]

Thanks, definitely a color cast going on in these, will try re-scanning them.

Lens is a 2.8/44 Ektanar (maybe Tessar?) and shutter speeds are 1/4 to 1/250 +B making
it more versatile than the Signet 35. Zone focus, and several divisions in each range making
an accessory RF a nice-to-have for more accurate focusing.

Like the BHF, these go for next to nothing over here. Both cameras came with leather half case
in good shape (film advance is a lever on the bottom, right side).

[iangreenhalgh1]

Nice camera, probably is a Tessar.

I'm obsessed with compact 35mm cameras and rangefinder 35mm cameras at the moment, most of the ones I've tried have been far behind this Kodak in quality, sadly.

[Lloydy]

I have a Watameter, currently on top of an old Voightlander, and it's surprisingly accurate after I set it. I have the original instructions which I can scan if you want them ?

[Katastrofo]

Lloyd, thanks, but have the little folded-up sheet of paper (red print). If there is something
more than that, sure.

mine came with leather carry case, too, Isolette is now in Budapest


Ian, the Signets are worth taking a look at, especially the 35 and 50 models.

a few from the Signet 35, home dev and scans

[iangreenhalgh1]

Very nice, I'll keep an eye out for the Signet. I am working my way through many compacts, so far Ricoh FF-9 and Konica A4 are keepers, Konica MG is a keeper for the Konica collection but isn't as sharp as the A4 and FF-9 so won't be used again, Oly Trip AF50 and Pentax Espio 105SW are both 'use once and never use again' because of crappy IQ. Just bought a Ricoh RX-3000, a Ricoh AF-80 (30mm lens) and a Werlissa Sport 404 (29mm lens) so got plenty more to play with. I'm only paying pennies for these things and it's fun to try out a few and keep just the best ones.

[martinsmith99]

Watameters are pretty good and easily adjustable by the user.

[fish4570]

bill, that is a beautiful lady in the open door car photo ...

[rbelyell]

K i really like these. $8 huh? unbelievable. im sure the color cast is from the cvs scans, but the sharpness and colors are there.
tony

[Katastrofo]

Martin, yes, the Watameters are easy to work on.

Paul, agree, she does look radiant.

Tony, thanks, will see if doing my own scans is worthwhile. Still think their chemicals were shot
when they processed these.

[Katastrofo]

A scan from the Epson 4490




I don't like how Walgreens and CVS cookie-cut around the frame when scanning.