This is the last analog camera I used. The Kalart split level range finder is really good. I found the Wollensak 135mm/f4.7 to be really versatile and all I needed. Although on the heavy side, it's a good hand held camera. I used it mostly on a tripod though.
For some history on this,
here's a good little article. Weegee (Arthur Fellig) was quite a character, and to me epitomizes New York photography of the 30's. The Sheaffer balance is the perfect fit.
I bought this camera because of lack of money. I had lost thousands of dollars worth of Nikon equipment to a failed marriage (don't ask
) and knew there was no way I could replace that. Besides I was starting to shoot 4 minute exposures on a tripod with very slow film, so 35mm which is more suited for fast moving action like fashion and sports, wasn't really the way I was going. A creative solution was to buy the B&J for $50. They're everywhere (or were 30 years ago) and are very capable cameras. I'm with Weegee on that one. Because I had previously been into printmaking, I also had a very good darkroom set up for large format. With the addition of a handful of film holders and a fresh batch of D25, which I made from scratch, I was off to the races for under a hundred bucks. Nobody was going to rain on my parade when it came to photography. Or so I thought. Unfortunately I moved to the country 15 years ago and don't have the water and sewerage capabilities to run a proper darkroom. Besides, I got over run by the digital revolution, and now I've got a Nikon digital again. lol
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