Here's the Lubitel 166 Universal. Pic taken off some site on the net found by google image.
Well it's a new acquirement for me but it ain't exactly new. Bought it 2nd hand off some ebay seller cos they ain't available anymore. Production stopped in Russia in 1988, when I was in Primary one and people like Derrick and Joyce are still swimming inside the womb. Prob haven even operated a camera before at that time. The design was based on some 1930s type of twin lens reflex (TLR)system.
I looooooong wanted a TLR medium format(120) camera. Cheapo as I was, I ain't gonna blow 3-6k on a Rolleiflex(droooling), a 1K plus Rolleicord or even the slightly cheaper Seagull or Yashica Mats). The Lubitel seems like the cheapest entry to experiencing the pains of using this sorta cam.
Cheap to produce also of cos mean cheap materials. The body is made of plastic but i dun mind, that means it's weightless compared to my magnesium alloyed D300. No more strain to the upper trapezius! Heheh.. Moreover the plastic seems damn sturdy. No flexing at all.
When I first started using it, it's really quite a challenge. Had to use my Fujifilm F31fd as a lightmeter guide before racking my brains in calculating the shutter speed and aperture setting. Next, I had to lift up the loupe and peer monocularly at the small ground glass and adjust my focus. It doesn't end there! I had to place the view finder directly under my eye at a exact angle and exact distance or the full image cannot be seen.
THEN as you try to compose the image, you had to:
1) get used to the 6cm x 6cm square type of format (I found that there are advantages once you get used to it)
2) get used to the horizontally inverted image (you pan the camera right, the image goes right instead of the usual left! Vertigo siah!)
After all these, hold your camera steady and cock the shutter lever. Finally you can choose to release the shutter and take your hard earned pic!
It's actually not all that difficult once you are used to it and it's actually very rewarding too. No to mention addictive.
Below is the first roll of 12 exposure from the 120 format film. No adjustments done except shadow adjustment on Picassa.
Film used: Fujicolour Pro 400H Prof
Yeah not much to look at but it is my first roll of tryout leh!
From Top left counterclockwise:
First shot failure. Tried to take Colin and Atiqah at the shelter of Bukit Timah peak. Did not bring my F31 so I used the "Sunny 16" rule of exposure. Sure outside was sunny but I forgot we are in the shade.....crap. After I released the shutter, I was not even if the pic was taken cos all you here was a small "tick". Too used to SLRs' noisy mirror slapping and auto film camera's film advancing (For this Lubitel, you had to wind the film yourself).
Second shot: Photo of my family having dinner. This time it's a test trial of long exposure on a tripod and the remote cable shuttle (which Joshua can't get enuf of last fri night at Cineleisure)
Third Shot: Another trial on Tripod and remote cable but this time is a very long 15 sec exposure. Yet another shot of my bedroom window. Metered the exposure on My Nikon F50 with a AF-D 50mm f1.8 lens.
Fourth Shot: Tried a sunny open and exposed atmosphere. Vivocity will be it since it's nearby. Turns out the contrast of the lens ain't so good in this sort of situation. Went there early in the morning so wun be disturbed by people. But ended up helping 2 separate PRCs take photo. They are everywhere nowadays!
Fifth Shot: Getting really impatient liao!! When can finish the roll so that I can develop?? It's only 12 exposures not 36 like the 135 format (35mm) but somehow I have prob finishing it! Collected my another 135 format film from a photo shop(the real brick and mortar type, not the adobe software!) and soon bian take a few shots of the most photographed artificial arch of Singapore.... yawnz.
Sixth Shot: Still at Sunset way trying to find ways to "conducively" spam away my remaining shots.......
seventh shot: Still lingering around the place...
Eight shot: Found myself walking the KTM train track separating Tanglin Halt and Portsdown (both significant childhood places of mine) tried taking the greenery and some Blangahlahs playing cricket in the distance.
Ninth Shot: loosing track of myself liao........
Tenth shot: Closer view of the cricket game and to the end of the roll.
11th!: suddenly the train came and i struggled to take the camera out of my pouch for this shot. No time to compose or make adjustments... Just shoot! See beh heng the shot turned out nicely!
Last shot i totally dunno what to take so just took the lift to the top floor of my flat and shoot. Overexposed the shot as it was way sunny that morning or prob can see Pulau Bukom and Semakau.....
Finally finished this roll. Next post: Testing of 120 black and white.
This reminds me... I got more than 10 exposures left in my Nikon FM10(after 10 outings!)... argh.
Anyone want their portrait taken?
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