I remember those times in early 2000's when you could buy film cameras for peanuts. But I could afford only a thing here and there course my mortgage was still sky high. And now when I'm done with mortgage the prices for even slightly nicer cameras are sky high. I will not say that universe is unjust, but it does behave like an a**hole...

Hi Ash, long time, no hear. I hope you're in fine fettle. I'm sure there's a whole bunch of people missing your regular vlogs and that I'm not the only one. T'would be good to hear from you - or at least, learn that you're well. Atb

I love that Laser Cutter 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Would using contact adhesive in a tin and a spreader or paintbrush make the closing together gluing on the inside any easier, as the spray gets everywhere?

Hello, I purchased a Praktica LLC. Sadly shortly after the purchase it broke: the mirror stays up and everytime I crank the lever to max (like so far until the shutter should be cocked) it seems like it automatically fires (it only sounds like it does. when switching the exposure times the sound changes) but the shutter doesn’t open. Also when I crank the shutter, the shutter metal plates move half up, but when it ,,shoots,, it slowly sinks down again. The camera worked before, it all happened after I used the self exposure! When I looked trough some video to get some help I found none. But I saw that you have a identical Praktica LLC like I have so I thought you could maybe help me? Sorry for my bad englisch. Greetings from Germany.

I have the 80 - 200 ED generation before that one push and pull Zoom , the telephoto lens is in an awesome shape like new I have it on my Nikon F4 , I really didn't have a problem Nikon ED 80 - 200 focusing FYI .. My Lens didn't have the tripod mount

So I did the back ok but the rotating RB plate looks a bit dodgy. What can you say is the most important seal to pay extra attention to or if do 1st? My rear RB Pro S to back square sear is a bit fiddly to get cut to size in 1 go

As usual I truly enjoy your love for the F4s. Maybe chunky but I tell you what… it is drop dead gorgeous!!!

💯🇹🇷⭐️👍 I have 1 of this F3 device, it is very clean, it is for sale, if anyone is interested, there is a video on my KZbin channel.

Funny. I’ve seen this video over and over again listening to to you talk and drinking that cup of coffee enjoying every word you say. My dad is gone and you have that carefree position about you that that reminds me of good times with him at the table. Thank you for your input. I guess I miss my dad… Thats why I check this particular video above all the rest. God bless ❤

The manual focus nikkor 55mm f2.8 and nikkor 55mm f3.5 are better choices to use with cameras that do not have a screw-drive motor to operate the nikkor 60mm f2.8D lenses autofocus.

Only center focusing...ok, work with that and know your subjects path of travel is going to be and you can never go wrong with the F4.

A while back, I bought a busted Jobo Autolab 1000 for $400US. Repairs cost $30US. The weak point in the Jobo is the cog wheel that drives the tank rotation. The shaft breaks off this plastic part. I 3D printed a new cog wheel in polycarbonate and machined an stainless steel shaft. I added a roller thrust washer and lubed everything with Superlube. It is till working flawlessly and does a fine job doing C41.

I love the popularity of mirrorless cameras because it means that the market is full of SLRs at fire sale prices. I recently bought a D850 in like new condition at a really cheap price. Likewise a Pentax K1.

I bought a used one a few years ago when everyone was switching to digital and dumping their film cameras. I paid about $600US, in excellent condition. Mine came with the vertical grip and a data back. Man, was it ever heavy! I sourced a plain film back and the standard battery grip (4xAA) from Japan. So mine is now technically an F4J. I use it with a Sigma Art 24-105 DG in program mode. This lens has optical stabilization. Auto focus is snappy and silent. My weight savings from re-configuring the camera is somewhat offset by the weight of the lens, but the combination feel balanced. The photos are excellent.

21:42 The F3 motor drive had a vertical shutter release button on the motor drive. Nikon was just carrying the ergonomics of their former professional 35mm SLR body and accessories forward into the new model when the F4 was introduced to the market. The F3 viewfinder focusing mattes look pretty much identical to the F4 ones; although, those marked F4 on the box were markedly more expensive at the time.

it is prAltica, not praktIca.

This beast is a tool of beauty. My opinion unmatched in appearance. Stunning! Great video and great camera!

Got a press pass for an upcoming festival and want to shoot it on F4, you sold me on this lens. Thank you Ash!

Beautifully stated. Thank you!

The F4S is, in my opinion, the best film camera ever made.

With all respect your audio levels are a bit all over the place in this video

I took my D600 with the 28-70 f/2.8D lens to a baseball game in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, and a handful of people thought I worked for the team. I can only imagine what will happen when I take this bad boy with me. Soon. I just ordered one from KEH.

The F4 is awesome, having owned a EOS 1 aswell, personally I much prefer the F4 and still have it.

Mine works fine on my Macintosh using Apple Image Capture.

nice photos

Nice job!

📸

If you ever get a chance to get the Japanese domestic market AIs version of this pancake lens, you can tell the difference because they focused down to .45m and being the non E series it has more coatings.

This is terrific. Many years ago I made some bellows as a proof of concept. It's a terrific project, very useful if you have a use. Yours of course is much better. Good video. In the 1980s I was able to buy used, a $9000 8x10 Toyo view camera, for $3300 because it had a crushed bellows. Never fixed it, used it for over 20 years. Made a lot of money with it. The alternative is a bag bellows- which is just a 4 sided bag. To keep it from sagging use some piano wire in the seams.

👍Thanks for video. Some good tips, thanks. I made my own rubber lens wrench by putting some Blu Tack around the the rim of a pill bottle lid. Worked just fine.

I have a similar camera made by Ansco. It’s the Ansco Record from about the same time period. I believe Agfa Billy and Ansco Record are the same camera. I had the bellows replaced because the original has too many light leaks. I love the photos it took. Watching your video inspired me to start using it, again, this coming summer.

I never heard any bad press about the 43-86 AI when I bought a new one for my FE in '79. IT was my most used lens, shot so many yearbook portraits & candids with it, travel photography, landscapes etc. Wide open with backlit hair shot the most beautiful B&W & color portraits I ever took in those days. Blew up a Kodachrome 64 of some horses in a field before a vintage barn to 30x40, still sharp, still hangs on my dining room wall 40 years later. Awesome lens!

Am I the only one that can't hear what he's saying due to messed up, distorted sound?

How do I use this with Nikon D750, it's having an fEE error?

Hi there... love your vids and passion for the F4 (me too!) I'm wondering, can this setup be strap mounted on the camera lugs and carried, or does it need to be carried via the lens foot (due to weight?) Your thoughts... I'm hoping it can be slung on a strap off the camera itself? Hope this makes sense.... Mark

What do you think of the Praktica VLC model series, i.e. Praktica VLC, Praktica VLC2 and Praktica VLC3? In my opinion, these three are a very good and very affordable alternative to the Praktica VLC: - Nikon F2 - Nikon F3 - Canon F-1 - Canon F-1n - Canon New F-1 - Pentax LX - Minolta XK - Minolta Xm What do you think? By the way, I have the Praktica VLC2 and don't need any of the others mentioned. 😉

On the front standard, what is the use of the 2 knobs ?

I always use an orange filter with FP4 in sunny conditions - gives that extra oomph contrast needs imho

The FA also uses all the nikon lenses the F4 takes as well. Think they are the only 2.

I’ve got one order with a Nikkor 50/1.4 D. Will probably get a 24/2.8 D for it also for landscapes and general purpose stuff.

The 80/200 af-d push pull second version is way better smaller lighter with also a smaller full métal lens hood…

I got my start in 35mm film photography nearly 50 years ago with a "Hanimex Praktica LTL", my first SLR. The camera store took pity on me at that time, selling the camera as part of their scratch & dent sale. The camera looked spotless to my eye. It was built like a tank and proved to be a great camera for learning the basics of photography.

Thank you for a nice review. Please do also enlighten me about the music you used......awesome sound!

In-camera metering has always been calibrated for colour transparencies, which need to be toward under exposure. For B&W, I always add a stop or use a handheld meter.

I owned an F4 and I would disagree with the idea that it is bullet proof. As tough as they are, they do have at least one Achilles' heel that I found. I had the "S" model and the little plastic strips on the section of the battery holder that slides in horizontally snapped off. That rendered the entire camera useless because it would no longer turn on. I tried to tape it in place, and glue it in place, all to no avail. The the bullet proof F4 was taken out of commission by a simple piece of plastic that kept the battery in place when it was functioning. For about a year, I did without the F4. After all I had the F5 and that camera is better than the F4 because it has a higher number in the name. It must be better. It is a fantastic camera; but I ultimately had to buy another F4. Enough said.

My first SLR camera was a Praktica LTL. I was in Capitol Flea Market in San Jose in 1997, and saw this camera with Pentacon 50mm f1.8 and a Hanimex 135mm f2.8 lenses. Have bought several cameras since, but I learnt to use SLR camera with the Praktica.

Absolutely top video! I'm also UK based, and have a Sony A7 first gen arriving tomororw to try adapt some lenses to. I already have a Jupiter 8 that I've used on my Fuji X-T30 but I'm looking forward to adapting it to my new Sony camera.

awesome