#vivitar35es

[upthespiralstaircase]

puppy bath time by Jeremy Pettis

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Glasgow. 

[ultralowoxygen]

Untitled by joint & shoot Via Flickr: Vivitar 35ES / Kodak Ultramax 400

[cameranerdmd-blog]

What is a rangefinder?

When I got the Vivitar 35ES, I didn’t know what a rangefinder was exactly.  The key element that makes a rangefinder is the dual-image focusing mechanism that allows the photographer to determine the distance between different objects within the scene.  Rangefinder cameras do not have a mirror, making it much quieter than DSLRs, so many photographers claim it is great for street photography.

The focus ring on this camera is very smooth and simple to use.  This site about how to use a rangefinder shows great examples of what it looks like when the image is out of focus.    

[cameranerdmd-blog]

New Week, New Camera. Introducing the Vivitar 35ES

Some sample shots

I loved the way the power lines looked in this shot and I tried to get the man on the motorcycle in the shot.  Lesson of the day: don’t shoot from inside the car.

I thought I would amuse myself by taking a selfie of my twin sister and I in the library.  The lens is clearly not made for this, but it makes me laugh.

The first time I used this camera, I used some leftover basic 35mm color film from the drugstore.  I’m not thrilled with the way some of the shots look very saturated and contrasty and then some turned out with green color casts.  I know that this is because the different types of lighting I was shooting in, like the fluorescent lighting in the library.  I did not bother to do any editing though, since it was just a selfie.

I found the camera to be the perfect size to carry around with me.  The camera does feel a bit heavy to me, when comparing to my other 35mm film cameras.

I can’t recall exactly where I got this camera (maybe an estate sale) or how much I paid for it, but I searched for this exact camera on eBay and the results shocked me.  Some were selling for $15-30 but there is one priced at $285 and the seller noted that it is a rare camera.  Lesson of the day: if the camera can be found for under $100 on other sites, it is not that rare.  Beware of sellers trying to make you think you are getting a great deal.