I’ve got Rolleiflex from Repair. Mr. Aleksander Dubrowski is a REAL master in Rolleiflexes-TLRs. He just loves those cameras. He has a huge collection of them, and he can fix any model. Probably that’s why he is called the Rolajking (Rollei-King phonetically). He fixed the camera quite quickly – it took him less then a week as he estimated at first. He fixed shutter button, set correctly both lens which was the main problem. In viewing lens the picture was sharp and on the photo – which was freezed on the film with use of the taking lens – the picture was out of focus and blurred. He also regulated the distance knob – it was set to correctly take photos at infinity. Ah, and I’ve almost forgot – he also changed the focusing screen to Yashica’s screen which is much brighter than Rolleiflex screen. Rollei is usable only at the center. Thanks.
After the repairs I finnaly had a moment to load the film – Color one – because I wanted to have it processed on the same day – with C41 process at the lab. This time the film used was Fuji PRO 400H which should give great results. As you can see below results are not astonishing mostly because late afternoon and difficult light conditions, but when you compare those photos to the previous ones the difference is huge. Especially the focus is there where it should be.
First two photos – especially first one – is a traditional test ;). The photos of the shoes was taken with in low light with wrong time setting but fortunately at least the focus is almost there. They are maybe not so interesting but were important from the test point of view. For example when you compare this autoportret with previous B&W session you can see that on this photo you are able to read the brand of the camera. On the previous photos there might be some problems with that.
Selfportrait. I think it was taken at 1/30-1/50s at f/2.8
The shoes. Similar times and aperture as previous.
Later on I’ve decided to go to the Centrum – metro station where I hoped to find some interesting photo subjects… I was right, there were many interesting things and people to take photos of. I’m not used to using that camera on the street so it was a new experience for me. I really hardly can imagine how Severin is taking so good photos with TLR on the street.
I like especially the 3rd photo where you can see what happens on that station during the rush hours…
Entrance to the Centrum metro station – towards Kabaty.
Metro. empty platform…
Metro. Rush hours.
PKiN… This is also important test – distance knob was set to infinity. As you can see the building is sharp. Mr Dubrowski did a very good job with regulating that mechanisms.
PKiN – The Infinity test.
First photo was taken at the entrance to the Centrum Metro station. There is always a lot of people, who sells something, play on the guitar or the chair or a lot of young people with the analog spam – ads. Here you can see the old men selling the garlic to the people passing by. I hope it’s polish one not from China like in supermarkets. Next two photos were taken near the Rotunda – PKO Bank. Those are not perfect but I’m still learning how to take a good street photo…
Buying polish garlic on the street.
Pedestrians. With the Xmas wishes at the background.
Homeless guy asking for help.