2012 FSU Contest - Pre-discussion

[Stuart John]

I think I will use my Zorki 1 again this year. I would like to make the catagories as broad as possible. Maybe something lile Man, Machine and The Enviroment with an open catagory for the half and half.

[Brian Legge]

Given the number of participants last year, I'd prefer a smaller number of broad categories. Too many and we could end up with only one or two photos per category.

[Oldskewl808]

I will be participating with my Fed2. Sounds like fun.

[Nomad Z]

Originally Posted by Brian Legge

Given the number of participants last year, I'd prefer a smaller number of broad categories. Too many and we could end up with only one or two photos per category.

The idea is to select three categories from the list of suggestions. I'll create a poll, and the three with the most votes after a week or so are the ones that we use.

[abumac]

Jupiter-8 on Leica M9, my favorit!

[Nomad Z]

The list of category options stands as follows (in alphabetical order)...

Anything Goes
Architecture
Environment
Labour
Landscape
Machine
Man
Portrait
Rural
Still Life
Street
Transportation

Regarding Machinery and Machine, when I thought of 'machinery', I was thinking of pictures of actual machinery. 'Machine' is a bit more open to interpretation but can still cover machinery, so I have elected to remove my original, and replace it with 'Rural'.

That's a total of 12, which happens to be the maximum number of choices in a poll. My intention is to run the poll for a week or so. I can finalise the rules post when the categories have been determined, and contact Stephen to arrange creating the galleries. If we get a tie, I guess we will need to have a sub-poll, but we can deal with that if it happens.

Any reason to not create a poll with these as the choices?

[OlympusRF]

Hi,
I think I will test my new Kiev 4A, with the Jupiter 8, Jupiter 3 & Jupiter 12 lenses! Can't wait to try the jupiter 3 lens...

[FrankS]

Originally Posted by camperbc

Although relatively new here, I must say that I feel like I have found a new family. I am thankful for your concern regarding my situation, (health-wise) and am humbled that you are all so open to my request for a longer shooting period. I am doubly humbled by Frank's very gracious offer to develop my film if I am unable; I am almost at a loss for words by your generosity, especially to a newcomer such as myself. Thank-you sir.

I think I will order some darkroom supplies and give it a go again. Frank, if my health does not permit me to process my own film, I will graciously accept your kind offer to develop it for me. (and will happily pay you for your time) Thank-you for your kindness; I'll let you know how I am managing.

Although I have a fairly large collection of vintage cameras/gear, I have just recently gotten back into shooting film, and am thrilled to be in the saddle again. No, I don't plan to part with any of my dslr's any time soon, but with film I feel like I have returned to "real" photography, where I must stop and think before each capture; make every shot count.

I am really looking forward to getting out shooting with my FSU cameras.

Thanks again,
Glen

Hey Glen,

No problem. Just pay for shipping. Loved NFD on a visit there 22 years ago. it was a reverse "Going Down the Road" road trip starting in Toronto.

Best, FrankS

[Mauro]

A great idea, indeed: thanks, Nomad Z!
I am interesting in joining it, my FSU gear (Fed 3, Fed 5, Zorki 4 + various lenses:a difficult choice!!!) is ready for this event.

[Nomad Z]

The category selection poll has been created. It runs for 10 days. Link to thread...

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/s...d.php?t=116825

[Nomad Z]

Last year, I got a black mount J-8 to use for an LTM conversion of a 1936 Sonnar. The conversion was duly done and the Sonnar is currently on my IIIf. The J-8 came with a free Zorki 4 screwed onto the back of it, which has been lying in its case unused. Since my Fed 1 is still in bits after the slipping curtains issue came to light, I'll be pressing the Zorki into service.

Just after I did the black mount conversion, I got a hankering for the Sonnar to go into a silver J-8 mount (because it's non-rotating), and managed to pick one up. However, this J-8 was just too good to use for a conversion - it's a 1959 and is pristine. I decided to keep it as a J-8, with the plan being to get the Fed back together (using a Fed 2 mount and some shimming to set up the lens registration to standard). I took the Zorki and J-8 out for a test roll at the weekend, and am happy to report that everything seems to work well - no pinholes, shutter behaved (1/2 and 1sec a tad slow), and focus seems good (best I could do with the film and light was 1m at f5.6). The RF patch is a bit dim compared to my Leicas, but is certainly usable.

So, my FSU kit for this year will be this 1957 Zorki with the J-8 and my J-12 which hasn't been used since I replaced it with a CV Skopar. Turret finder for the 35mm.

[Alowisney]

I'll actually be able to participate this year since my Fed-2 has had a CLA. Now, I just need to get myself a new lens since my I-61 flares like crazy.

[Nomad Z]

The vote for the category selection has now closed, and the top choices were as follows...

30 - Street
24 - Anything Goes
24 - Landscape
24 - Portrait

As the votes came in, I kinda wondered if there would be a tie somewhere, but I didn't think it would be a three-way. As I see it, we have two choices...

1. Hold a second poll to decide which two of the three tied categories go forward.
2. Do it the easy way and just include all four.

I am very tempted to go for the easy option, which would mean five categories in all - the four above for those using all-FSU, plus the Popolam open category for those using partial FSU gear.

Yay or nay for the easy option?

(Say 'yay'!)

[Keith]

I still want a catagory for 'best light leak' and another for 'most uneven frame spacing!'

[Nomad Z]

Those are virtual categories which can appear in any category.

[Keith]

Last year my Kiev ll mysteriously developed a light leak during the comp that it had shown no sign of in the four years I've owned it ... I'll be needing to fix that before we get underway!

[camperbc]

I say let's go with five categories. I'm scared that if we re-vote I just might lose "landscapes", leaving my options rather thin! I can hardly wait to run some film through my baby for the first time!

Glen

[chodgson45]

Being I have two FSU rangefinders now I'll be able to play!

Just need to get my test rolls developed with My Kiev II and my Moskva-2 (Metering with the latter is very different to me since the shutter speeds don't watch my hand Studio Deluxe III meter!)

[stratcat]

Da, tovarish! Let's go for the easy way and have all four + popolam.

Originally Posted by Nomad Z

The vote for the category selection has now closed, and the top choices were as follows...

30 - Street
24 - Anything Goes
24 - Landscape
24 - Portrait

As the votes came in, I kinda wondered if there would be a tie somewhere, but I didn't think it would be a three-way. As I see it, we have two choices...

1. Hold a second poll to decide which two of the three tied categories go forward.
2. Do it the easy way and just include all four.

I am very tempted to go for the easy option, which would mean five categories in all - the four above for those using all-FSU, plus the Popolam open category for those using partial FSU gear.

Yay or nay for the easy option?

(Say 'yay'!)

[Keith]

I might add I'm totally against FSU lenses on non FSU bodies being a legitimate catagory!

[Nomad Z]

Well, it seems that including partial FSU kit hasn't hurt things in the past. The 2007 contest had over 100 entries for all-FSU, and 40+ for hybrid kit. The idea is to encourage participation and have some fun. I remember last year feeling rather excluded when I asked if I could use my IIIf and FSU glass and was knocked back.

In a sense, this is a bit like one of those 'show your pictures taken with X bit of equipment' threads, but in the context of a friendly contest. It's as much about putting the equipment to use and seeing what can be done with it as it is about the actual pictures themselves. Were it otherwise, there would be no FSU contest at all.

FSU glass on non-FSU bodies is a notably popular combination - I would never have gotten into FSU gear if I hadn't bought a J-12 and turrent finder for my IIIf to try out the 35mm focal length. Followed by a J-3 for the wide aperture stuff, followed by a rush purchase of a FED 1 for last year's contest (which lasted two rolls before the curtain slid off the drum), followed by a J-8 to convert a pre-war Sonnar to LTM, which had a Zorki 4 attached to it, followed by another J-8, and a set of 6 FSU B&W filters. I've been window shopping for J-11s lately, even though I don't really use long lenses - curious to see what I do with a 135 on a ranegfinder.

The contest raises awareness of the equipment and encourages people to try it. For many, it starts with one FSU lens on a non-FSU body, and I don't think there is much to be gained from not inviting them to have a go. For those that don't have any FSU kit, it also keeps the cost of entry down - a J-8 or I-61 is a cheap start.

[batterytypehah!]

I'm all for the popolam category, having both a Jupiter-11 and Helios-103 for my Contax.

Here's a question, does using Russian film qualify, no matter which equipment? I have some really old Tasma lying around that's not good for much, unless you like the edges of your negs fogged.

[Nomad Z]

Originally Posted by batterytypehah!

Here's a question, does using Russian film qualify, no matter which equipment? I have some really old Tasma lying around that's not good for much, unless you like the edges of your negs fogged.

I've thought about that, and my feeling is that it's better to keep things simple, where either the body or the lens must be FSU. Otherwise, it could start to stretch the idea a bit far - for example, can I use my IIIf and Skopar Classic if I use my FSU 35mm finder? (I'd say no to that.)

On the other hand, using genuine FSU film with full or partial FSU kit would be rather good. If I had some of that film, I'd definitely be using it.

[Brad Bireley]

Sounds like a good contest. Now I need to find a Zorki w/J8 that works. Anyone have one they would like to sell?

[Nomad Z]

Okay, we go with the five categories. I have written to the Head Bartender to request the creation of the galleries for the contest. While that is being arranged, I'll prepare the final draft of the rules. I'll post that here, make any last changes that may be needed, and then post it in a new thread as the formal call for entries.