Nick De Marco Posted August 9, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been collecting Shanghai cameras for a while, got a few 58s now (35mm rangefinder based on the Leica-III) and a recent medium format rangefinder, the shanghai 203. A fascinating camera. Here are some sexy pics Shanghai 58s: Shanghai 203 MF For more photos and information please visit my gallery Shanghai cameras Photo Gallery by Nick De Marco at pbase.com (PS all 'product' photos taken with Leica-R glass) Thanks Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 9, 2009 Posted August 9, 2009 Hi Nick De Marco, Take a look here Collecting Shanghais. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Nick De Marco Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted August 12, 2009 Update - Posted my first shots with my latest Shanghai-58. Absolutely delighted I found a Shanghai that works very well after much trying. Here are some of the images: With Shanghai 50mm f3.5 lens (shot, I think at f5.6) And 2 with the lovely Summaron 35mm f3.5 tiny cutie (f5.6-f8) Please take a look at them all and let me know what you think: Shanghai cameras Photo Gallery by Nick De Marco at pbase.com The Shanghai 50/f3.5 lens is pretty soft and has a light patch, plus it's very hard to get the focus right (maybe misaligned), despite a brighter than usual viewfinder on this 58 than all my others - but it is far better than any other Shanghai lens I have so far used. Many of the pics are taken with a Leitz Summaron 3.5cm f3.5 screw fit from 1953 I recently picked up. Very happy with these. It's most pleasing to produce colour images which match many a DSLR (but have more atmosphere for me) on a 1958 Chinese Leica copy and a 1953 Leica lens. The two black and white shots at the en of the gallery are testing the same Shanghai 50mm lens on a Bessa R3M camera and show it is the lens which is not perfect. Which leads me to a question - I still have an ambition /obsession t use the original Shanghai camera and Shanghai lens to make some decent (albeit with a certain date look) photos. I realise that the optics may have never been that good, and with ageing uncoated lenses like this can get pretty nasty (I have a 50mm Summicron from the same time which is softer than than the Shanghai!). But is there any servicing I can do - or get someone else to do, that would improve the lens? Comments appreciated. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejd Posted August 12, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 12, 2009 What about Malcolm Taylor -- advertises in AP all the time -- repairs Leica LTM cameras and lenses and IIRC does re-polishing and coating of lenses if you want that? CRR Luton CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND will repair lenses of Leica and Leica copy cameras. Derek Calder advertises in the PCCGB magazine Tailboard leica and leica copy repairs. Not sure if he does lenses ot just camera bodies, shutters etc calderderek@tiscali.co.uk Not sure about the Shanghai cameras, but the Leica Summaron 35 f3.5 looks v good. I'm going to Shanghai next month and will try to find some time to look for old cameras etc. I'll look out for old Shanghai's etc. There's some kind of photographical area / market near the main railway station, I believe. Rgds, John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted August 13, 2009 Thanks Jon Malcolm Taylor fixed an old Canon 50mm f1.2 for me before so I might see if he could do anything with this. I would love to go to Shanghai and check out that camera market (as well as take rolls and rolls of film). Have fun - and if you come across any good vintage Chinese camera gear you will almost certainly be able to sell it to me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyM Posted August 13, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 13, 2009 Look out for a book 'Cameras of the Republic of China' published in the 1980s and now out of print but should be available secondhand, as it lists the various Shanghai models amongst others. There's even an M4 copy ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 14, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 14, 2009 It's most pleasing to produce colour images which match many a DSLR (but have more atmosphere for me) on a 1958 Chinese Leica copy and a 1953 Leica lens. I'm sorry Nick but I must take issue with you on this point - where's the blown highlights and fringing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejd Posted September 21, 2009 Share #7 Posted September 21, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) In Shanghai this afternoon -- pouring rain -- Bladerunner atmosphere -- went to camera market at Luban Lu / Xietu Lu crossroad (not the one near the railway station) -- six floors of small camera shops. A few Shanghai rangefinder cameras on display, mainly 58's with a 50mm f3.5 collapsible lens. Sellers were asking around 2000 rmb (about £180) as an opener. Not sure how much they would come down with bargaining. Cameras said to be working properly - 'no problem - good condition!' -- but language difficulties limited how much I could question them. There were some medium format folders on the shelves as well, and many seagull TLRs of various vintages. All the best, John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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