RFF's Roger Hicks in Shutterbug

[charjohncarter]

Catch Roger's essay in the 'Point of View Section' of the January 2008 issue of Shutterbug. He is a listed contributor to this magazine, and this look at Fine Art Photography is good.

[rover]

Unfortunately they do not publish him and/or Frances every month. Their articles are appreciated.

[feenej]

I have a book called Shutterbug's Guide to Better Photography that he wrote a chapter for. It's on how you should always carry a photo kit. He had a picture of a briefcase with two big honking Nikon Fs in it, back to back, lenses, a rangefinder, and some film.

I also have his book on basic darkroom methods. You know, the one where he shows you how to set-up a darkroom in your undersized loo.

Last time I read Shutterbug it was big and fat. If I ever met him, I'd have him sign both my books.

[polaski]

Roger once illustrated taking indoor pictures with available light with a photo of a couple of guys in a pub men's room. I am in awe of his facility with a camera.

[shadowfox]

I think I saw Frances's article on the last month's edition of the B&W Photography (the one from UK).

[KoNickon]

Thanks for the tip. Usually if he or Frances has an article in an issue of Shutterbug, I'll buy it. And yes, I miss the "big format" Shutterbug days -- seems like there was more editorial content, and certainly more in the way of used gear ads.

[DeeCee3]

I think you're right, Nick, about the used gear ads...used to be a fellow out in the midwest (Iowa, Nebraska?) who always had a laundry list of good RF stuff...he's gone now...his name was Kuehl...and there were others, as well. Also sad that S/B's pioneering editor is no longer a working photographer...

dc3

[Red Rock Bill]

looking through a September 1,1975 issue of Shutterbug Ads (I have older ones but can't find them)..Lots of interesting "stuff"Lets see how about Eastman Kodak Story part XVI. Or, WANTED..Bromoil Transfer Press.......back then it was $5.00 a year first class postage included....You paid for 1st class so you'd get the ads quicker..... Today Roger is about the only thing worth reading. regards,Bill

[gb hill]

I just picked up my copy. The fine art issue looked interesting so I bought it. I do miss the old Shutterbug days when it was big and fat. Miss all the film test and the cheap deals in the mag. especially the old Spiratone ads.;)

[kshapero]

check out Roger and Francis's book on Rangefinders. It is the best I have seen.

[gb hill]

I have an old Spiratone 400mm for my AE-1p. I actually used the thing in my backyard last summer. I have quite a few birds, mof my Cardinals are still there, and the results were better than I thought would be.

[Scarpia]

I subscribe to Shutterbug and the first thing I look for when my issue arrives is an article by Roger and Frances. They are a bit opinionated but I like their opinions.
May they continue for many years more.
BTW, I have a Spiratone 105 F 2.5 that takes Tamron adapters which i have for Exakta, M42, EOS and M39 (for old Zenith SLR). I have not used it in many years, thanks for reminding me.
A happy and healthy holiday season to all.
Kurt M.

[FPjohn]

I think you're right, Nick, about the used gear ads...used to be a fellow out in the midwest (Iowa, Nebraska?) who always had a laundry list of good RF stuff...he's gone now...his name was Kuehl...and there were others, as well. Also sad that S/B's pioneering editor is no longer a working photographer...

dc3

Des Moines Iowa and Winnetka Illinois.

These gentleman sold me a new M6 and a DR Summicron, purchases I've never regretted.

Yours
Frank

[dmr]

I have an old Spiratone 400mm for my AE-1p.

For some trivia on Spiratone, notes on the passing of Fred Spira, and a reply from Fred Spira's son, you might want to look at this thread:

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum47/42688-fred-spira.html

[gb hill]

For some trivia on Spiratone, notes on the passing of Fred Spira, and a reply from Fred Spira's son, you might want to look at this thread:

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum47/42688-fred-spira.html


dmr I appreciate that. Good read and very informitive. I missed your post here on Freds death. I would have certainly commented on the thread. I always loved looking through the old Spiratone ads and I still have my old issues of Shutterbug somewhere. I would like to get them out just to read over once again. I remember you could buy the equipment to open your own studio for just a few $$. That was cool.

[gb hill]

I remember wanting one of those spy lenses. Do they work?

[raid]

For some trivia on Spiratone, notes on the passing of Fred Spira, and a reply from Fred Spira's son, you might want to look at this thread:

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum47/42688-fred-spira.html

Thanks for the link. Fred Spira was unknown to me, but I saw ads by Spiratone. Recently, I bought a Spiratone lens. I also have [somewhere hidden] a Spiratone macro flatfield adapter/lens.

[dmr]

Who could resist Spriatone?

I couldn't! :) It was actually one place I looked forward to going to, even though I didn't really buy that many odds and ends there. I mostly got film (they seemed to always be lower than Willoughbys across the street) and had my slides processed there, or rather they sent them in to the Kodak lab.

He ran a joke shop, disguised as a photo accessory store.

I didn't think all of their stuff was a joke. When I was looking for my old 28 and 135 lenses for the Spotmatic, I considered theirs, but eventually splurged and got the real Takumar ones. :)

They seemed to have two quality ranges of lenses, the good ones, and the super el-cheapo ones.

My brother got one of those el-cheapo ones, it was like a 400mm huge honker telephoto for some ridiculous price, like $29.95 or so! It was the most clumsy thing I ever saw, with two f-stop rings, one you would set to what you wanted to shoot at, then focus wide open, then turn the other one to match the other, and then shoot. Clumsy! I never saw another lens like that ever.

(This was what he called his "beach lens" and that's where he used it, he would probably be arrested as a perv if he did that today!)

LOL! I admit, that periscope lens thing looks like it's made out of somebody's old cellar drain pipe! :)

The one thing I remember that was kinda clever was a thing that my brother wanted, and I really can't remeber for sure if he got it or not, maybe got it and took back, but it was a right angle mirror thing disguised as a lens hood. You could photograph someone without them knowing it.

Really miss it.

I admit I do too! I never saw another shop like it anywhere. They didn't sell cameras, just film and lenses and accessories and such. They had a lot more at their main store out in Flushing, but I only got there a couple times.

It just seemed to disappear some time after I moved away from the area. All of a sudden their ads just stopped! :(