Canon FTb - Les's Gift, Anna's Photos

[joho35mm]

A few weeks ago, Les posted two 35mm SLRs as part of the ongoing camera drawing here on NFF. I put in my name for the cameras because a graduate student friend here at Michigan, Anna, wanted to get back into photography - but didn't have a camera. Anna grew up in Poland, and her most-used camera was the family Zorki. Unfortunately, due to weight restrictions on luggage coming to the US for graduate school, she wasn't able to pack it, leaving her camera-less. After hearing about this and seeing Les's post, I figured it'd be great if Anna could have a 35mm SLR to get her started again.

Even though my name wasn't drawn, Les generously promised that he'd put together something else for Anna. That something else turned out to be a wonderful Canon FTb kit, with FD "chrome nose" 50mm f/1.4, 35mm f/3.5, and 135mm f/3.5 lenses - itself a gift from one of Les's friends to Les. After some great online PMs back and forth, the kit arrived at my place, and I handed it over to Anna. She was delighted, having never owned an SLR or any interchangeable lenses for her Zorki! The one condition for the gift, Les requested, was that I post a few images made by Anna with her "new" camera after she'd put it through its paces. So here's a sample, thanks to Les's generosity and Anna's instant attachment to the kit!  

First, a photo of Anna shooting with one of my own cameras - a Canon P with a 50mm f/1.5 Jupiter-3 - before the Les's gift camera arrived (this shot taken with the Rollei 2.8C on expired Konica Centuria 100):



And Anna's photos, shot with the Canon FTb and mostly the Canon FD 50mm and 35mm lenses, on Fuji 200 scanned at the local Target:

[br1078lum]

She has a good eye.  And you and Les are good people to do that for Anna.

PF

[LarryD]

And this reminds me.. I am scanning the first roll from the AE1 Program I got from Les.  Those are some very nice photos. Yes Pappa Les is one of the best people on Earth.

[Hoosier_Rich]

I like them as well, she did well with her new set-up! Also, kudos to Les and Joe for helping Anna be able to document her time here.

[lesged]

Joseph,

I'm so pleased Anna has taken to the Canon Ftb kit like a duck to water. Thanks for bringing to my attention a person and a situation where the unused photo gear could be put to instant use.

I was only the middleman doing what was asked of me and don't deserve any accolades for giving it to the right person who would appreciate the camera and lenses and put it to use.

I never put any film in this particular FTb body or used any of the three lenses. However, I bought the same outfit when that early FD camera was introduced and knew it was top quality.

That's a wonderful shot of Anna you made and please relay to her that I, along with other Nelsonfoto members, enjoyed seeing her initial work with the FTb outfit.

[LarryD]

Ask her to become a member here....

[lesged]

Joseph,

I've taken the liberty to show your photo of Anna made the day you gave her the FTb outfit. I hope you don't mind.

[jamesmck]

Good for Anna (and for Les and Joseph)!

James

[radiophoto]

This whole thread makes me feel so good.  I am so happy to know such terrific, generous people.  I did something similar with a camera and lens I bought from Joseph, as a matter of fact -- my older son, who's in the Navy in Connecticut, had one of his co-workers contact me about the possibility of buying a camera from me, to take with her to Italy on new orders.  I had the Canon F-1 that I was willing to part with and a zoom lens, so I sold it to her for less than half of what I paid for them, and included a copy of the instruction manual and about 4 "Murphy Special" rolls of film to get her started.

It's not exactly the same as Les's gift to Anna, and believe me, Joe, I was sorry to see that F-1 go, but I felt good about helping a servicemember in this way. 

Joe, why didn't Anna take a picture of you? 

[shadowfox]

Joseph, please tell Anna to keep shooting, and maybe join us here at NF
She has an extraordinary sense for interesting compositions.

And to Les, thanks for keeping newcomers to film get started.

[Santiago Montenegro]

This thread made my day. Good job, all!

[joho35mm]

For sure - I've passed on the compliments and NFF's collective invitation to Anna, and we might be seeing more of her work around here soon.

Les - thanks again for your generosity. Anna and I and a couple of other history graduate students were having lunch today, and suddenly Anna blurted out, "I'm having so much fun with my new camera!" and pulled the FTb out of her handbag (I guess she doesn't mind the weight!) The grad students were very impressed.

Pete - I'm glad that the F-1 continues to be in good hands, and is now heading overseas! As for the photoshoot, there might be a shot of me on that roll somewhere, but Anna hasn't processed her black and white stuff yet. It'll be a little longer before my face appears here

[br1078lum]

Joseph, it would be great to have Anna join us here, but until CEN gets back on track, that feature has been shut off.  But there's no problem with you posting her shots.  Keep 'em coming.

PF

[lesged]

Joseph,

The first FTb I bought didn't have a split line in the rf, which I preferred to the other type that came with the body. I found the latter harder for me to focus critically. Canon changed the rf screen and sent it back along with the original one.

A Photo.net member won an FTb on eBay for very little $s, because it's rf screen was peppered with fungus. and he asked if anyone had an extra rf screen. I gave him the good news, got his address and mailed it out the next day. He replaced the screen himself and ended up with a nice working FTb.

Yes, the FTb is very heavy. A comfortale shoulder strap will help Anna, especially when the 135mm lens is mounted. Her handbag may not be big enough. Maybe she should ask Santa for a camera bag.

[P C Headland]

Great thread!

A nice gift from Les, and nice photos from Anna.  Let's hope she will end up posting some more.

The thread shows all that's good about this place!