Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #79: A Tale of Two Adapters

The Shutter Brothers are back fresh from an early morning photowalk to Richey Ridge Falls (near Soddy Daisy, Tennessee) and are ready to share their recent experiences photographing both together and also with a group of fellow film photography podcasters at Old Car City in White, Georgia. Along the way, Wayne and Kevin disuss ideas for the 4th Annual Photowalk with the Shutter Brothers. It all starts with getting out with your camera ends with having a photograph to share. 

L to R: Mike Kukavica, Wayne, Matt Dunmore, Kevin, Joe Pollock, and Clayton Sharp at Old
Car City new White, Georgia. Photo by Wayne.

Ane speaking of sharing, Wayne is sharing some of his photography at the Annual Photography Exhibit & Competition at the Arts Center in Athens, Tennessee. The show is presented by the Athens Area Council for the Arts and runs from March 24 to May 30, 2025. If you live anywhere near East Tennessee, then make the trip to Athens to check out Wayne's work.

Now that Kevin has the Leica M2 he's wanted for so long, it didn't take long for him to think about adding a 35mm lens to his kit. Actually, he already has a Leica 35mm lens, but it is a screwmount Elmar f3.5. Can it be used with a Leica M camera? The answer is "yes," if you have a LTM to M mount adapter. Leica made them back in the day, and now they are made cheaply in China. But just how compatible are they. Find out in the show.

First, an inexpensive LTM to M mount adapter from China.

Next, an $80 adapter made by Leica.

Kevin's Elmar 35mm f3.5 mounted with the Chinese adapter. 
Note the position of the infinity lock at 6:00. When focused at
6 feet or closer, the lens loses contact with the rangefinder tab.

And here's the same lens mounted with the Leica adapter. Note
the position of the infinity lock. The infinity lock of Kevin's 
Sumicron 50mm f2 collapsible lens locks at the same position.

It's spring, and that means time for some de-cluttering. So, Kevin is giving away a camera! It's a fully functional Minolta Maxxum XTsi with a Minolta AF 35-70mm f4 zoom lens. It's the camera Kevin used for color photography on his Alaskan cruise last September, and now it can be yours. You can enter by email at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com.

We're giving away this fully functional Minolta Maxxum XTsi and Maxxum AF Zoom 35-70mm f4 
lens. Send us an email if you want a chance to win.

Once agaiin our listeners chime in with some great email. We'd love to hear from you, too. 

Until next time, Happy Photography!

Wayne's photography can be seen at The Arts Center in Athens, Tennessee through May 30, 2025.

Gegory Davis (The Naked Photographer) created two YouTube vieos about his experience with the Intrepid Enlarger, which used LED light to emulate contrast filters.

https://youtu.be/Rqq_wwrZxk0?si=3JEXYBVQje9gBS3S

https://youtu.be/bp7SN4ua1cw?si=XFeM1J4uo6lK3B_h

 

Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #78: M Bop

When Wayne and I (Kevin) get together to record a podcast, we usually bring some things (cameras, prints, etc.) to show to each other. The day we recorded show #78 was no different, except that I don't usually bring a Leica M2 that I had just purchased the day before. But that is exactly what I did. I didn't even tell Wayne about it beforehand.

It might seem like an impulse purchase, but it actually was years in the making. If you have been a long-time UJC listener, you have heard me discuss the idea of getting rid of most all my cameras just so that I could own and use a Leica M. I even did a lot of online research into just which M body I would want, and I landed on the M2 and it's three sets of frame lines (35, 50, and 90mm). But you no doubt know, purchasing a Leica M camera and lens is not something one jumps into quickly. It is a sizable financial investment, to say the least. 

However, four weeks ago I saw an online ad for a clean looking Leica M2 with a Summmicorn 50mm f2 collapsable lens; it was priced right, and it was local. A killer combination for certain, but even then, I didn't jump at it. I waited three and a half weeks before contacting the seller just to give myself some time to talk myself out of it. 

Soon, I will publish a blog post dedicated to the subject of purchasing this camera and why I could not say no this time. As I write the show notes, Chattanooga is in the middle of what is predicted to be a three day steady rain, but Debbie and I are making a trip to our cherished Jekyll Island next week. The Leica M2 will be the only camera a take with me, so I should have some photographs to show soon.

My new-to-me Leica M2.

As it happens, I haven't been the only Shutter Brother who has been playing with a classic German-designed miniature 35mm camera. The Rollie 35 is truly iconic mainly due to its small size. To put the Rollei 35 into the "miniature 35mm camera" category along with all other rangefinder 35mm cameras doesn't seem fair. If you can fit a pack of cigarettes into your shirt pocket, you can carry your Rollei 35 the same way. However, as much as it it known for being one of the smallest full frame 35mm cameras, it also known for its strange design, which no one would describe as being "ergonomic." Just having the hot shoe on the bottom plate freaks me out, and that's just the beginning. I keep asking myself, "How could Wayne like this camera?" We may have a better answer to the question after he develops the roll of film he shot in it last week.

Wayne's Rollei 35. Your smartphone is larger.

As has been the case for the last several show, Wayne and I devoted most of the show to the feedback we received from our listeners. I am thrilled to say that my dream of publishing a listener-driven podcast is coming true! In show #78 we read questions about split grade printing, Minolta SR-T film transport problems, darkroom design, and more. And I learn something new every show. This is why we created this podcast to begin with, and our faithful listeners are making it happen!

So, we would love to hear from you. We want your questions, comments, tips, reviews, and stories to share with our listeners. You can join our community by sending your emails to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com, or you can post comments on our on Facebook and Instagram pages (@ujcpodcast). 

Thank you for listening, and Happy Photography!

Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #77: What's in the Mailbag, Wayne?

The Shutter Brothers are back with the first show of 2025, and its time to read some of the listener feedback that's in the UJC mailbag. Our listeners have lots of great questions and tips for us on topics like the best ways to meter with and without a light meter and the importance of shooting digital images in RAW format. And two of our listeners weigh in on why Kevin (who, as you no doubt know, has red green color blindness) can see colors more accurately when they appear on a screen as opposed to seeing them in person. We love the feedback we get from our  listeners, and we will have more listener questions in our next show.

Knockout rose bloom, photographed by Kevin with his Sony a100 DSLR and Minolta AF f2.8 50mm macro lens. The difference between this image and what Kevin actually saw with his own eyes can-
not be overstated.

Meanwhile, both Wayne has been having unexpected troubles with hs film development process. As you know, Wayne develops his Ilford FP4+ 4x5 inch film sheets in a self-mixed modified Caffenol C-L developer. This highly compensating process is cental to getting the negatives to which he is accustomed, namely detail in both shadows and highlights. This results in negatives that, because they contain all the important "information," are easier to print. However, Wayne's last two batches have had brown streaks and over developed highlights. Wayne wants to know why and what he can do about it. 

This 4x5 sheet is typical of Wayne's negatives and it ready to print

This negative is stained and overdeveloped. What went wrong?

A side by side comparison .

So, what could possibly be causing this problem? All of the ingredients Wayne uses to make Caffenol C-L (B) are photo-grade except for one:  instant coffee. Wayne used the cheap stuff - Kroger brand instant coffee. However, his problems began about the same time he purchased a new jar - you guessed it - Kroger brand instant coffee. Could it be the coffee?

In case you are interested, here is the formula Wayne uses to to his modified Caffenol C-L (B) film developer. the photo below is of an index card Wayne keeps handy in his darkroom.

When Wayne develops 35mm and 120 film, he uses his homemade version of Kodak Xtol, which he called Mytol. Here is the recipe.

And finally, Wayne has been experimenting with a homemade version of Kodak's Dektol print developer. 

You can always reach the Shutter Brothers at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com or at our Facebook and Instagram pagers (@UCJpodcast). 

Happy Photography!

Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #76: We Wisner a Minolta Christmas!

The Shutter Brothers are back with their last show of 2024! Wayne and Kevn recap their 2024 Photowalk with the Shutter Brothers, dive into some darkroom tips, discuss some holiday photography ideas, and read some listener email. Thanks for listening, and Happy Photography!

Coffee on the Campfire. Photo by Kevin Lane