Holga, Toy, Charity Shop, Car Boot and other Bargains (film only please)

This boxed bulk film loader was £2.99 in a local charity shop. When I got it home I discovered it was loaded 25 feet of unidentified film (though there was an Ilford leaflet with '15 exposures used' written on it).
I loaded an 8 exposure roll into a Voigtlander Vitomatic for testing.
I developed it today and both camera and film (FP4 Plus) are fine :)
Bargain!

9117549711_e8d9197423.jpg
[/url] Computrol 35mm bulk film loader by spartacus mills[/IMG]
 
sparty said:
This boxed bulk film loader was £2.99 in a local charity shop. When I got it home I discovered it was loaded 25 feet of unidentified film (though there was an Ilford leaflet with '15 exposures used' written on it).
I loaded an 8 exposure roll into a Voigtlander Vitomatic for testing.
I developed it today and both camera and film (FP4 Plus) are fine :)
Bargain!
Click to expand...

That's a result, gotta love charity shops (y)
 
I ordered 10 rolls of Ektachrome (half 100, half 200) from Four Corners, since they aren't making it any more. Maybe a bit brave since I don't know if it's in date. I'll let you know what I get (it'll probably turn up this week when I'm away and be on its way back to the States before I get back!).
 
ChrisR said:
I ordered 10 rolls of Ektachrome (half 100, half 200) from Four Corners, since they aren't making it any more. Maybe a bit brave since I don't know if it's in date. I'll let you know what I get (it'll probably turn up this week when I'm away and be on its way back to the States before I get back!).
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If I remember you ordered some E100S, they've not made that for at least 8 years as that was replaced by E100G some years ago. Its quite sad to be honest that Kodak have discontinued all their reversal films now (The Ektachrome 100d motion stock which was near identical to E100VS is now gone as well) as I always liked the way in which they gave 'controlled' saturation with E100VS which allowed good skin tones yet fairly high saturation unlike Velvia etc (+ they were a bit cheaper!).
 
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having a clear out at work and have found many interesting things including an Olympus OM2N!

I'm completely new to real photography so I'm starting from scratch. I've never used anything other than compact cameras.

Any basics I should know before I start using this amazing find?

Thanks chaps ;)
 
Pretty much the first thing you need to do is make sure it works, you can download a copy of the manual here http://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus/olympus_om-2/olympus_om-2.htm

I've got an OM2 and so have a few others on the forum so if there's anything specific you need to know just ask.

Once you've checked that it works get yourself off to Poundland for a roll of cheap film, take some pics and then try and find an Asda/Tesco that still do film processing, drop off your film, do some shopping/have a coffee then collect your film. They will also scan them for you if you ask, all for about £3.

Finally post up your shots in the f&c section.
 
RaglanSurf said:
Pretty much the first thing you need to do is make sure it works, you can download a copy of the manual here http://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus/olympus_om-2/olympus_om-2.htm

I've got an OM2 and so have a few others on the forum so if there's anything specific you need to know just ask.

Once you've checked that it works get yourself off to Poundland for a roll of cheap film, take some pics and then try and find an Asda/Tesco that still do film processing, drop off your film, do some shopping/have a coffee then collect your film. They will also scan them for you if you ask, all for about £3.

Finally post up your shots in the f&c section.
Click to expand...
first roll in and yes i bought it in poundland! :)

gonna have a play with different aperture settings with this first roll and see what happens. thanks for your post. what's the f&c section? ;)
 
If I knew more about Olympus OM2 I might have got a bargain as I could have bought one in VG condition, with 50mm lens and real leather case for £15 (well he said £20 as openers) and still with a film in it.....the batteries must have been flat as using the check lever nothing was showing or in the viewfinder, also at any speed except "B" the mirror stayed up.....well £10 was worth a gamble but not £15-£20. Anyway five minutes later someone had bought it...h'mm they probably knew more about it than me.
Anyway a lady was selling a Tamron 28mm f2.5 with MD mount, and I said "the glass is chipped and has been dropped (knowing it was just the filter)....and said "£2?"......and she said "ok then".................
 
lapsang said:
having a clear out at work and have found many interesting things including an Olympus OM2N!

I'm completely new to real photography so I'm starting from scratch. I've never used anything other than compact cameras.

Any basics I should know before I start using this amazing find?

Thanks chaps ;)
Click to expand...

Dang! The only things I find at work when we have a clearout is obsolete printed stationery:bonk::bang:

Well done, a good find, hope it works a treat for you. Ask here if you need help.:wave:
 
excalibur2 said:
If I knew more about Olympus OM2 I might have got a bargain as I could have bought one in VG condition, with 50mm lens and real leather case for £15 (well he said £20 as openers) and still with a film in it.....the batteries must have been flat as using the check lever nothing was showing or in the viewfinder, also at any speed except "B" the mirror stayed up.....well £10 was worth a gamble but not £15-£20. Anyway five minutes later someone had bought it...h'mm they probably knew more about it than me.
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50mm f/18 resale value £20-ish
Leather ever ready case £10 upwards depending on condition.
OM2 for parts or repair £15-£20-ish.
OM2 working £25 upwards

At these prices buy first, worry later(y)
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
50mm f/18 resale value £20-ish
Leather ever ready case £10 upwards depending on condition.
OM2 for parts or repair £15-£20-ish.
OM2 working £25 upwards

At these prices buy first, worry later(y)
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:bang: So is "B" manual only and all other speeds need a battery? But then where does the camera get the power to flip the mirror up? and I could only send the mirror back down by selecting "B". :shrug:
 
excalibur2 said:
:bang: So is "B" manual only and all other speeds need a battery? But then where does the camera get the power to flip the mirror up? and I could only send the mirror back down by selecting "B". :shrug:
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I've just woken on the sofa and my not be thinking too clearly but your reference to the check lever suggests OM2N in which case B is "Bulb" of course and this from the manual...

"I can't advance the film nor release the shutter,
and the viewfinder is totally dark. Why?
A: The mirror is locked up because the batteries
are depleted or the film was advanced in the
middle of an automatic exposure. Press the
selector lever to the "CHECK•RESET"position
to unlock the mirror. (See page 8.) Two
batteries should be replaced as a pair if they
are depleted."


and this:

By pressing the selector lever to the "CHECK•
RESET" position, you can check the batteries
and/or unlock the mirror.
Check the Batteries.
Move the selector lever to the "CHECK•RESET"
position. The battery check lamp indicates battery
condition as follows:
The red lamp lights brightly — Battery voltage
is sufficient.
The red lamp flashes on and off — Batteries
are very weak. Fresh batteries are recommended.
The lamp does not light — Batteries are drained.
Replace them.
NOTE: Silver oxide batteries will last approximately
one year. To avoid battery drain, make it
Mirror Lock-Up
If the mirror is up, the field of view turns dark
through the viewfinder, and the film cannot be
advanced. This lock-up of the mirror occurs when
no batteries are loaded or batteries are depleted,
or the film is advanced during exposure.
The mirror lock-up does not indicate any breakdown
of the camera, but a built-in safety device
to prevent any trouble. Press the selector lever to
the "CHECK•RESET" position, and unlock the
mirror. In case , shooting can be resumed immediately.
In case , replace batteries.
CAUTION: You cannot unlock the mirror after
battery replacement, if you omit pressing the
selector lever to the "CHECK•RESET" position.
NOTE: When the mirror locks up, a battery drain
prevention device is activated to conserve power.

Or was it a 2Spot in which case if you have flat batteries you can press the B button, rotate the shutter speed dial to the red 60 and get a mechanical shutter speed of 1/60.
Bed, I need bed now.....
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
I've just woken on the sofa and my not be thinking too clearly but your reference to the check lever suggests OM2N in which case B is "Bulb" of course and this from the manual...

"I can't advance the film nor release the shutter,
and the viewfinder is totally dark. Why?
A: The mirror is locked up because the batteries
are depleted or the film was advanced in the
middle of an automatic exposure. Press the
selector lever to the "CHECK•RESET"position
to unlock the mirror. (See page 8.) Two
batteries should be replaced as a pair if they
are depleted."


and this:

By pressing the selector lever to the "CHECK•
RESET" position, you can check the batteries
and/or unlock the mirror.
Check the Batteries.
Move the selector lever to the "CHECK•RESET"
position. The battery check lamp indicates battery
condition as follows:
The red lamp lights brightly — Battery voltage
is sufficient.
The red lamp flashes on and off — Batteries
are very weak. Fresh batteries are recommended.
The lamp does not light — Batteries are drained.
Replace them.
NOTE: Silver oxide batteries will last approximately
one year. To avoid battery drain, make it
Mirror Lock-Up
If the mirror is up, the field of view turns dark
through the viewfinder, and the film cannot be
advanced. This lock-up of the mirror occurs when
no batteries are loaded or batteries are depleted,
or the film is advanced during exposure.
The mirror lock-up does not indicate any breakdown
of the camera, but a built-in safety device
to prevent any trouble. Press the selector lever to
the "CHECK•RESET" position, and unlock the
mirror. In case , shooting can be resumed immediately.
In case , replace batteries.
CAUTION: You cannot unlock the mirror after
battery replacement, if you omit pressing the
selector lever to the "CHECK•RESET" position.
NOTE: When the mirror locks up, a battery drain
prevention device is activated to conserve power.

Or was it a 2Spot in which case if you have flat batteries you can press the B button, rotate the shutter speed dial to the red 60 and get a mechanical shutter speed of 1/60.
Bed, I need bed now.....
Click to expand...


Thanks....I must have my son's bug as the other day he woke up at 4 AM, now it's happened to me...so what do you do at 4 AM, other than use the computer :eek:
Anyway before reading your reply, dug out my OM20 and remembered without batteries the mirror flips up but the shutter locks also, but what concerned me with this OM2 is there might be a weakness in the OM system in that the rotating shutter speed ring stops working (maybe it's the electrical contacts) ...as it doesn't work on my OM20, so don't buy non mechanical cameras at boot sales unless they are really cheap......but as you said should have bought it for spares.......(y)
 
excalibur2 said:
Thanks....I must have my son's bug as the other day he woke up at 4 AM, now it's happened to me...so what do you do at 4 AM, other than use the computer :eek:
Anyway before reading your reply, dug out my OM20 and remembered without batteries the mirror flips up but the shutter locks also, but what concerned me with this OM2 is there might be a weakness in the OM system in that the rotating shutter speed ring stops working (maybe it's the electrical contacts) ...as it doesn't work on my OM20, so don't buy non mechanical cameras at boot sales unless they are really cheap......but as you said should have bought it for spares.......(y)
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I'm not a fan of boot fairs but if I was going to one I'd take a pocket full of camera batteries, oh and a penny to unscrew the OM battery cap.(y)

Four am is lovely if you want to be up. Otherwise it's hellish!
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
I'm not a fan of boot fairs but if I was going to one I'd take a pocket full of camera batteries, oh and a penny to unscrew the OM battery cap.(y)
Click to expand...

No! No!....you have to persuade the seller that his camera (or anything) is worthless and a gamble if it's not working ;)
 
Well, as it's Official Boot Fair Day, I picked up an almost minty Fujifilm DL Super Mini compact, for £2. It's described all over the internet as a failed point-and-shoot, due to a delayed release date. But it has a panoramic function and it's so small, for £2 I couldn't resist.

http://i.imgur.com/mEzuhJV.jpg[/IMG]
 
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mothdust said:
Well, as it's Official Boot Fair Day, I picked up an almost minty Fujifilm DL Super Mini compact, for £2. It's described all over the internet as a failed point-and-shoot, due to a delayed release date. But it has a panoramic function and it's so small, for £2 I couldn't resist.

http://i.imgur.com/mEzuhJV.jpg[/IMG]
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Almost looks like a camera:clap::clap: Do I detect it ain't very big?
 
Reading up, it was only a failure in terms of overall sales - the fact that it was aimed at the higher end compact market means you've probably got a very decent shooter for very little outlay. 'grats!
 
freecom2 said:
Reading up, it was only a failure in terms of overall sales - the fact that it was aimed at the higher end compact market means you've probably got a very decent shooter for very little outlay. 'grats!
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And rare!
 
mothdust said:
I've just ordered one of their grab bags. Even with shipping, it comes out at £2.50 a roll. Bargain. Wonder what will turn up :) Shipping was only $8 too, for anyone curious.
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vladimir said:
Chris, thank you for the link! Just ordered a grab bag as well.
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Did you get these? Two weeks after ordering my Ektachrome it still hadn't arrived, so I contacted fourcorners yesterday, and they checked... and despatched it! Maybe it's a good thing as I was away last week...
 
Yup, mine arrived last week Chris :) 2 x Kodak Max, Kodak Gold, Fuji Superia, mysterious colour film and mysterious b/w c-41 film :)
 
Sounds fun! Maybe I should have stuck to that rather than getting all overenthusiastic with slide film (postage ended up being $20 for 10!_...
 
Bit of an eBay bargain, scanning the film cameras with not much time left, I spotted the lomography bel air with no bids, stuck a bid in for 50 as it said it was new. Anyways I won and it arrived this morning, still shrink wrapped in the original packaging!
 
Nice! Let us know how it goes, I wondered if those cameras were any good.
 
ChrisR said:
Did you get these? Two weeks after ordering my Ektachrome it still hadn't arrived, so I contacted fourcorners yesterday, and they checked... and despatched it! Maybe it's a good thing as I was away last week...
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Hiya Chris, sorry for the slight delay in replying, I have been away on holiday and without internet. I think mine arrived yesterday - I found a note from Royal Mail on my doorstep: apparently there's a package waiting at the local collection centre. I'm assuming this is the film I ordered as I don't remember buying anything in the meanwhile. Has your arrived?

P.S. Having said this, lately I seem to have had some problems with international delivery; stuff sent from France and then returned where it came from with a note saying "not at this address". :thumbsdown:
 
lapsang said:
having a clear out at work and have found many interesting things including an Olympus OM2N!

I'm completely new to real photography so I'm starting from scratch. I've never used anything other than compact cameras.

Any basics I should know before I start using this amazing find?

Thanks chaps ;)
Click to expand...

I think RaglanSurf already said everything that needed to be said. Have fun with it, its a great little camera. I got a minty one a few weeks ago and I was very pleasantly surprised at how solid and well made it felt. My only advice would be to use SR44 batteries, as opposed to the more commonly available LR44. I heard the SRs have a steadier discharge curve and don't mess with your lightmeter as they near the end of their life... Having said that, I used LRs in my Pentax without much of a problem so there you go...

I too went to Poundland and got a roll of Vista to put thru it, just to see how well it performs. Again, I was very impressed with the results. The exposure was bang-on and the focus sharp. No complaints there. The lens I used was the standard 50mm/f1.8 by the way. I found it to be a little bit "cooler" than my usual Pentax K-mount stuff, but not too bad. I'll probably start trawling Ebay at some stage looking for a 28mm lens...
 
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Found this Super Isolette today @ Huddersfield 2nd hand market for £28 it was a lot of money but condition is outstanding and I think it looks lovely.

 
The range finder on top is worth that money, well done.
 
Well I promised myself I wouldn't buy a compact again...but hey how could I turn this down for £1....instruction booklet in the box.

Minolta hi-matic AF D
 
The result of this week's lunchtime trawls of the charity shops:

Charity shop haul by spartacus mills,

Nikon 28-100mm (£2.99), Olympus XA2 boxed and cased with original warranty but faulty (but I have two working ones anyway) (£1.00), Jessops (Patterson) Universal Developing Tank (£1.50), GAF Memo 35 ET rangefinder (£2.00)
 
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sparty said:
The result of this week's lunchtime trawls of the charity shops:

Charity shop haul by spartacus mills,

Nikon 28-100mm (£2.99), Olympus XA2 boxed and cased with original warranty but faulty (but I have two working ones anyway) (£1.00), Jessops (Patterson) Universal Developing Tank (£1.50), GAF Memo 35 ET rangefinder (£2.00)
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...aaah, that little rangefinder looks sweet! My local charity shop (read Oxfam) has started to keep its cameras under lock and key - or at least somewhere upstairs in the manager's office. I have to make a special appointment to be able to look at them and make matters worse, they hiked the prices too, in the belief that almost everything old can be re-classed as "vintage" and sold for an inflated price :LOL:
 
vladimir said:
...aaah, that little rangefinder looks sweet! My local charity shop (read Oxfam) has started to keep its cameras under lock and key - or at least somewhere upstairs in the manager's office. I have to make a special appointment to be able to look at them and make matters worse, they hiked the prices too, in the belief that almost everything old can be re-classed as "vintage" and sold for an inflated price :LOL:
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It's getting increasingly difficult to find charity shop bargains. Some shops are tending to horde them for valuation and assessment by an ''expert from the local camera club''. This results in them being offered for sale at dealer prices whether they're in working condition or not.
Some charity shops sell via the auction site instead.
The best bargains seem to be 35mm compacts as they don't look old or collectable and no-one uses film anymore! :D
 
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