Ralph, what comes through immediately in all these beautiful images is your deep love of trees ... it’s just everywhere. In the framing I feel their majesty, in the tones their quiet grandeur, and I love how my eye is drawn to them every time. Thank you so much for sharing them wrapped in winter’s white mantle; they’re a gift. 🙏🤍🌳
Many thanks, Paul, much appreciated. Well, as it happens, I've spoken nicely to the guy I go to for fixing these old lovelies and he's come back with very reasonable costing, so it looks like this little Ensign will be getting another lease of life soon🙂
Excellent! Just out of interest where is he based. I have a lovely old Kodak Autograph with a sticky shutter. Might be interested in a repair if the price is right!
His business is called Vintage Cameras Galore, based in Plymouth. Up until recently be mainly worked on 35mm but he seems to have branched out a bit now, though. Worth an email 🙂.
Beautiful rural landscapes, with very subtle tones and compelling angles, like the ones in the second, fourth and fifth photos. It amazes me you're able to get the best out sometimes very old cameras every time I see your photos taken with them. It was a wise decision of yours to take matters in your own hand in developing. I like those trees, by the way!
Many thanks, Vincent, kind words, indeed. It’s quite rewarding when things work out with those old-timers. I’m more than happy with using caffenol as my developer -for my purposes, no need to look to other types.
This is a great set of images Ralph, of course I'm in love with the oaks, particularly the image with the fence leading in. Also that image of the lane - wonderful. You achieved such good results from that camera, it's a shame that shutter speed control has broken...but I'm sure the time will come when curiosity will get the better of you and you open it up to do some tinkering!😉
Well, all this chat about the old Ensign has given me a big enough nudge, that I've emailed Rob at Vintage Cameras Galore... see what he comes back with...
Many thanks, Lin, much appreciated. As much as I’m tempted to have a look, I wouldn’t trust myself inside one of those delicate old shutters😬 (you remember Jack Douglas and his famous twitch in the Carry On films? That’d be me at a crucial moment😵😂) . A job for someone who knows what they’re doing. I do have another camera that needs a similar fix, so I might drop a line to the guy I go to with these things, see what he suggests… have to see what happens😊
Many thanks, Todd, much appreciated. That year was probably the last that I've seen a reasonably decent amount of snow. Since we've moved to Scotland, we've had a couple of light coverings that have lasted little more than 24 hours before melting away. Having said that, it's early days this yet this year, so I may end up 'eating my words' on that one! ☺️
Here in the southwestern US, we’ve suffering from record breaking drought and warm temperatures, with the very little snow in the mountains. Fingers crossed for both you and I to get more snow this year. 🤞
Thanks, Paul! I'm hoping it'll be a relatively minor fix, some sort of linkage between the selector ring and the Epsilon shutter mechanism itself. I may have to pop a quick email to the guy where I occasionally get these old-timers fixed and see what he says. I've got Kodak Retina IIIC with, what I believe, is a similar issue in it's Compur shutter - maybe I'll ask about that one, too 🙂
Excellent photos, Ralph, especially the one looking back down the lane. It’s a shame the camera broke down as it produced really good results. Hopefully you’ll be able to get it fixed at some point.
Some truly beautiful images – that actually *feel* chilly… – so I hope you can get the camera fixed, as it obviously works really, really well in your hands.
Ralph, what comes through immediately in all these beautiful images is your deep love of trees ... it’s just everywhere. In the framing I feel their majesty, in the tones their quiet grandeur, and I love how my eye is drawn to them every time. Thank you so much for sharing them wrapped in winter’s white mantle; they’re a gift. 🙏🤍🌳
Ah, such kind words, Deborah, thank you!🙏🤍
More great snaps, and once again, love the rendering of the vintage camera...Hope you get it sorted soon! Best,
Benjamin
Many thanks, Benjamin. Hopefully it's off to the good camera doctor soon 🤓
Lovely shots Ralph. The tree shots are gorgeous. Shame about the camera but it happens to us all!
Many thanks, Paul, much appreciated. Well, as it happens, I've spoken nicely to the guy I go to for fixing these old lovelies and he's come back with very reasonable costing, so it looks like this little Ensign will be getting another lease of life soon🙂
Excellent! Just out of interest where is he based. I have a lovely old Kodak Autograph with a sticky shutter. Might be interested in a repair if the price is right!
His business is called Vintage Cameras Galore, based in Plymouth. Up until recently be mainly worked on 35mm but he seems to have branched out a bit now, though. Worth an email 🙂.
Beautiful rural landscapes, with very subtle tones and compelling angles, like the ones in the second, fourth and fifth photos. It amazes me you're able to get the best out sometimes very old cameras every time I see your photos taken with them. It was a wise decision of yours to take matters in your own hand in developing. I like those trees, by the way!
Many thanks, Vincent, kind words, indeed. It’s quite rewarding when things work out with those old-timers. I’m more than happy with using caffenol as my developer -for my purposes, no need to look to other types.
This is a great set of images Ralph, of course I'm in love with the oaks, particularly the image with the fence leading in. Also that image of the lane - wonderful. You achieved such good results from that camera, it's a shame that shutter speed control has broken...but I'm sure the time will come when curiosity will get the better of you and you open it up to do some tinkering!😉
Well, all this chat about the old Ensign has given me a big enough nudge, that I've emailed Rob at Vintage Cameras Galore... see what he comes back with...
Excellent - fingers crossed he can come up with a fix for you, judging by your images here it'll be worth it 🤞🏻😊
Thank you. I'll keep you posted🤓
Many thanks, Lin, much appreciated. As much as I’m tempted to have a look, I wouldn’t trust myself inside one of those delicate old shutters😬 (you remember Jack Douglas and his famous twitch in the Carry On films? That’d be me at a crucial moment😵😂) . A job for someone who knows what they’re doing. I do have another camera that needs a similar fix, so I might drop a line to the guy I go to with these things, see what he suggests… have to see what happens😊
I've now got that image in my mind of the crucial moment!🤣
😎🤣
Great set of photos, Ralph! The soft light works really well with these snowy scenes, and I especially love the shot looking down the lane.
Many thanks, Todd, much appreciated. That year was probably the last that I've seen a reasonably decent amount of snow. Since we've moved to Scotland, we've had a couple of light coverings that have lasted little more than 24 hours before melting away. Having said that, it's early days this yet this year, so I may end up 'eating my words' on that one! ☺️
Here in the southwestern US, we’ve suffering from record breaking drought and warm temperatures, with the very little snow in the mountains. Fingers crossed for both you and I to get more snow this year. 🤞
🤞🤞
Ralph, that lens is pretty amazing. Ensign...Impressed! Maybe you can find a replacement! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Paul! I'm hoping it'll be a relatively minor fix, some sort of linkage between the selector ring and the Epsilon shutter mechanism itself. I may have to pop a quick email to the guy where I occasionally get these old-timers fixed and see what he says. I've got Kodak Retina IIIC with, what I believe, is a similar issue in it's Compur shutter - maybe I'll ask about that one, too 🙂
Excellent photos, Ralph, especially the one looking back down the lane. It’s a shame the camera broke down as it produced really good results. Hopefully you’ll be able to get it fixed at some point.
Many thanks, Mark, much appreciated. Who knows, one day, maybe..🙂
Lovely.
Thank you!
Nice! I love B&W in the winter.
Thanks, Alex! Indeed, particularly when given favourable conditions, it's a great season for b+w
Some truly beautiful images – that actually *feel* chilly… – so I hope you can get the camera fixed, as it obviously works really, really well in your hands.
Very kind words, Stephen, thank you! I may well get it going again at some point🙂