Zenit-S: film SLR camera

I bought the Zenit-S (Зенит-С/Zenith-S) just for the lens that came with it.    

This is the second camera (1955-1961) in the Zenit SLR series. It has an S in its name, which stands for synchronization, because unlike the first Zenit, this camera has a flash sync contact.

The lens mount is an unusual M39x1 with a flange focal distance of 45.2mm. This mount is unique to Zenit (and Kristall) cameras. While the thread is the same as the Leica M39 mount, the flange focal distance is larger to accommodate a mirror (these are SLRs). Same thread mounts caused a mess of lenses. Later Zenits started to use the M42x1/45.5 mount.

All in all, I do not like Zenit cameras, but I have to say how small this one is.

And it looks better (more elegant) than later Zenit models.

Zarya and Zenit-S:

Zorki-6 and Zenit-S:

Unfortunately, this Zenit-S was in bad condition, it was impossible to photograph with it without repair. So I dismantled it completely, I needed some parts.

See also related notes:

• Zarya: Scale focus film camera with interchangeable lenses (2025-01-28)
• Zorki-6: Rangefinder film camera (another copy) (2025-01-10)
• M39x1/45.2 film SLR cameras (2024-08-17)
• USSR film still camera mounts (2024-07-16)
• M39x1/45.2 (SLR) lens list (2023-08-05)
• Использование объективов M39x1 на цифровых камерах (2022-05-18)

Image albums:

• Zenit-S

Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 and ATH-AD900X

I have been using Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 headphones for almost 14 years.

The headphones are very reliable and sturdy. I have only had to service them a few times in all those years (see 1, 2, 3).

I have now replaced them with the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X.

The headphones are second-hand, in very good condition.

I immediately noticed that the ATH-AD700 had more bass, whereas the ATH-AD900X had more treble. If you like massive bass, don't buy the ATH-AD900X.

See also related notes:

• Audio-Technica ATH-AD700: Replacing ear pads (again) (2024-09-28)
• Наушники Audio-Technica ATH-AD700: замена "подушек" дужки (2022-01-23)
• Наушники Audio-Technica ATH-AD700: десять лет эксплуатации (2021-11-16)
• Audio-Technica ATH-AD500 -> ATH-AD700 (2011-05-31)

Image albums:

• PC

XR Rikenon 50/2 vs Rikenon 50/2

I compared the XR Rikenon 50/2 and the Rikenon 50/2 lenses at f/2 using the Sony a7c (FF, 24MP).

1.

(XR Rikenon 50/2)

(Rikenon 50/2)

2.

(XR Rikenon 50/2)

(Rikenon 50/2)

3.

(XR Rikenon 50/2)

(Rikenon 50/2)

The background was changing due to the wind.

The white balance is slightly different (different coatings?), but I am sure the lenses are optically the same.

So buy the Rikenon 50/2 if you want to save some money. The general advantage of the XR Rikenon 50/2 is the shorter minimum focusing distance.

See also related notes:

• Rikenon 50/2 (K): Cheaper version of XR Rikenon 50/2 (2025-03-23)
• XR Rikenon 50/2 (K): Interesting 50mm lens (2024-09-20)

Image albums:

• Rikenon 50/2
• XR Rikenon 50/2

Nokia 5.3: Broken

I didn't want to replace my primary mobile phone Nokia 5.3. But the Nokia 5.3 was broken (after about four and a half years of use).

There are two troubles:

1. Frequent ghost touches, which sometimes block touches completely.

2. Rare reboots and phantom power button presses.

This is very annoying. The phone needs to be replaced.

See also related notes:

• Motorola Edge 50 Pro (2025-04-01)

Rikenon 50/2 (K): Cheaper version of XR Rikenon 50/2

The Rikenon (without XR) 50/2 is a later prime lens by Ricoh (Pentax K mount).

Some say that the Rikenon 50/2 and the XR Rikonon 50/2 are completely different. Ok, I have both lenses now.

The Rikenon 50/2 (on the left) and the XR Rikenon 50/2 (on the right):

The Rikenon is smaller and lighter (135g vs 210g without caps). The Rikenon is probably made of cheaper materials than the XR Rikenon (plastic vs metal?)

The apertures (of 6 blades) and their control (f/2-f/16 by 1EV step) are the same:

The lens coatings look the same.

The most important (for me) difference is the different minimum focusing distance (MFD): 

The MFD of the Rikenon is about 0.6m, while the MFD of the XR Rikenon is about 0.45m.

The main question is: do the lenses produce the same images? 

See also related notes:

• XR Rikenon 50/2 vs Rikenon 50/2 (2025-03-27)

Image albums:

• Rikenon 50/2
• XR Rikenon 50/2

Fujifilm GFX100RF: Cropping

Continuing the Leica Q3's cropping capabilities, the new Fujifilm GFX100RF also offers cropping modes.

The wide angle 35/4 lens and 102MP 44x33mm (MF) sensor give you some freedom.

Native FL - FF equivalents (in 4:3 aspect ratio):

35 - 28/3.2 (0.79x): 102MP

45 - 35/4 (1x): 62MP

63 - 50/5.7 (1.42x): 31MP

80 - 63/7.2 (1.79x): 20MP

More pixels, but not as fast as the Leica Q3 lens.

See also related notes:

• Leica Q3: crop-to-zoom (2023-06-15)

Image albums:

• Photo

Mobile photography: The best

For me, the best thing about mobile photography is being able to use Syncthing to transfer photos.

Of course, I use FTP to transfer photos from the Sony a7c, but Syncthing is more convenient.

See also related notes:

• Sony a7c: ARW, коммуникации (2022-04-09)

TRE4x4 Jimny bolt-on portal.

Bolt-on portal kit for Suzuki Jimny from TRE4x4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK-ACUUFKbc

As far as I know the portals need at least 17" rims. That's too much for the Jimny. I would prefer 15" rims, even with less axle lift.

See also related notes:

• Конструкция колесных редукторов (мысли вслух) (2017-01-04)

Digital cameras: Speed limiter mode

In my opinion, one of the great improvements in digital cameras is Auto ISO. And not just changing the ISO with a fixed aperture and shutter speed. Modern Auto ISO controls the shutter speed (in P/A modes), slowing it down to a certain value before increasing the ISO. In modern cameras, the slowest shutter speed for Auto ISO is selected automatically according to the focal length of the lens, or can be set manually. And the ISO range can be limited.

However, I would like to see a shutter speed limiter mode in new cameras. It looks like the shutter speed priority mode (S, Tv) or the manual mode (M), where you can choose a shutter speed (and change it quickly). But the shutter speed you choose is the limit. If there is not enough light, the camera will use the selected speed and increase the ISO. If there is enough light, the camera will use the lowest ISO setting and the shutter speed will be faster than selected (this is the key difference).

Extra long double box end wrenches

Extra long double box end wrenches.

Typical sizes for Japanese car repairs (mm): 8, 10, 12, 14, 17. Sometimes a wrench like this is very useful.

Image albums:

• Tools

B&W film development (2025-03)

Since the year 2024, I sometimes shoot B&W film with film cameras. I develop the films myself at home.

I use the developing tank "AP Compact". It is quite good, but loading a film onto a reel is not as easy as I expected.

I use a Rodinal clone developer: Compard R09 One Shot.

I dilute it to a low concentration: 5ml in 500ml of distilled water. And (stand or semi-stand) develop a film for 1 hour.

I am also interested in Kodak HC-110 developer, but it is quite expensive for such a rare use.

As a fixer I use a plain sodium thiosulfate solution.

See also related notes:

• Rodinal: Back to 1:50 from 1:100 (2025-05-01)

Image albums:

• Photographic film

Pentax M 135/3.5: Samples [2] - FF - f/3.5

Camera: Sony a7c (FF, 24MP)

Lens: Pentax M 135/3.5 at f/3.5

A nice lens, but there are a lot of [longitudinal] chromatic aberrations. However, I am not a big fan of long-focus lenses.

See also related notes:

• Объективы 135мм: Юпитер, Таир и Pentax (2022-04-15)

Image albums:

• Pentax M 135/3.5

Pentax Q: My experience

My general expectations of the Pentax Q were met.

1. I have always liked the user interface of Pentax cameras, and the Pentax Q does not disappoint. I find its interface simple and quite powerful.

2. The buttons are too small, but basically usable.

3. Overall, the Pentax Q looks like a toy, but feels like a mature digital camera. And I like its sensor-shift image stabilization, it works well (as for a camera so light).

4. The worst part is the tiny (1/2.3") sensor. It is a terrible sensor even for the time. It is very noisy and doesn't provide much resolution. The sensor of the Olympus E-PL1 (which I have) is much better. This is a camera from the same period (2010-2011).

5. The kit lens 02 Standard Zoom 5-15/2.8-4.5 is very poor. It is soft and not fast enough. The M.Digital Zuiko 14-42/3.5-5.6 (the kit lens of the Olympus E-PL1) is better and not too slow (considering the sensor sizes).

6. The Pentax Q body is really small. The Standard Zoom lens ruins it. I would  like a tiny (pancake) prime lens. There was the 01 Standard Prime lens, but it is not tiny and hard (expensive) to find.

7. Used Pentax Q cameras are overpriced. Don't waste your money, buy a Micro 4/3 camera instead. Micro 4/3 cameras are not competitive with APS-C cameras, but much better than the Pentax Q cameras.

See also related notes:

• Pentax Q: Useless mirrorless camera (2025-02-14)
• Viltrox AF 28/4.5 (FE): Wide-angle pancake lens (2025-01-24)
• Olympus E-PL1: 14-42/3.5-5.6 lens (2024-07-07)
• Olympus E-PL1: Micro 4/3 mirrorless camera (from 2010) (2024-02-29)

Image albums:

• Pentax Q (series)

Vivitar V3600: Rare film camera (2)

I assumed that the rather rare Vivitar V3600 film camera was the Vivitar V3000 with a slightly different appearance.

And now I have the V3600 myself.

Yes, the V3600 is obviously the Vivitar V3000 with different pads. Also, the V3600 was sometimes sold under the name V3000. I have only seen a few V3000 cameras for sale that look exactly like my V3600.

Overall, this is a good camera, a simpler version of the V3800 (which I also own).

See also related notes:

• Pentax Super A: My new film camera (2025-04-21)
• Vivitar V3x00: Light meter limitation (2025-04-15)

Image albums:

• Photographic film

My YouTube channel (2025)

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All videos used in the blog are unlisted, all other videos are private.