Medium Format 6x9 Questions

[rider4life]

Hey All!

So my wife's grandfather just gave me one of his old cameras. It's a Zeiss Nittar 515 (looks like it's a cross between /2 and /16) which he...aquired...from a German Captain during WWII. It's a pretty cool looking camera and I promise I'll get pictures up soon. Couple of quick questions for those in the know:

1. I know the camera requires 120 film and takes 6x9 shots; is there a specific 6x9 120 film or is all 120 film able to be used in all the formats?
2. Where do you get it developed? Do the big box development places (Walmart, Black's, etc.) have the capability of developing this film? What about places like KINKO's?
3. How much would I be looking at to set up a place at home that I can enlarge my photos myself, once the roll has been initially developed/processed? Am I better off getting a 1/2 way decent MFP/Scanner and upload them to the computer for enlargements? I have no darkroom at home and no where to put one so that's not an option right now. Not sure if enlargements require a darkroom...
4. With no bells and whistles...like NOTHING...how do you all get proper light readings/distance measurments? Assume I don't have a DSLR, but I do have an Apple iPhone 4.
5. The timer doesn't seem to work properly. Any idea on how to fix that? Basically, you can set it and when you hit the shutter release it starts to move, then it stops before getting to it's original starting point so the shutter never closes. I've manually pushed it back into place and the shutter closes. I'm fine with this not working as there are a couple of other settings that I can use instead (a "B" setting which keeps the shutter open until I hit the release a second time will work for now)

Thanks in advance all! I'm looking forward to taking some pictures with this camera and seeing what I can do.

Cheers,

M.

 

[Edcculus]

1. There is only 1 format of 120 film. Different cameras expose different frame sizes, and give different amount of shots per roll too.
2. If you shoot color, you can take it to Walmart or even Costco etc, but they will likely send it out for processing.
3. enlargements do require a darkroom. Also, just to be sure we're on the same page, I'm talking about enlarging B&W only. At the very least you will need an enlarger that will fit a 6X9 negative, a lens that will cover a 6X9 negative (about 105 is about right). You will also need paper, chemistry (developer, fixer, stop bath). You will also need a way to develop your film. I and a few others here have a working darkroom, so if its something you are interested, we can talk about that more in depth.
4. Download the app called Light Meter. Very simple to use.
5. hmmm, so the shutter is not working properly? By timer, are you talking about shutter speed? Like if you set it to 1/25, the shutter opens but does not close? From what I can tell on Camerpedia this camera has a leaf shutter and 2 shutter speeds 1/25 and 1/100. If the shutter isn't working properly, you might have a dud on your hand. You will probably want more control than just timing the bulb setting unless you use really slow film (like Ilford Pan F). Someone else may be able to speak to this.

 

[legrandfromage]

1. Any 120 film will work. 120 film is used for several different formats; 645, 6X7, 6X9. The camera spaces the frames differently.
2. Depending on where you live, you may have to mail it to a lab. Not a big deal.
3. Shoot a bunch of film, have it developed and scanned/printed and then decide if you want to set up a darkroom. You can easily develop B&W film at home without a darkroom, scan the negs and print digitally. Not trying to talk you out of a darkroom, but it's a somewhat complex and time consuming commitment. Try to get access to a local darkroom (take a course, join a club, etc.) to see if you like doing the work.
4. There is no zero cost way. Learning by experience will cost you in terms of time, film and processing. Mechanically, the old school method was to use a light meter and a rangefinder. I think that there is a light meter/exposure app for phones but am not sure.
5. Not familiar with the camera, but it sounds like the self timer which is no big deal (unless you want to use that function); it delays opening the shutter. B or Bulb is used for long exposures, on a tripod. For most usage you need to be sure that the shutter is working correctly, at whatever speeds are indicated.

 

[rider4life]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. As a follow-up to #5, the shutter works fine, it's just he self timer that doesn't.

I'm probably going to start with colour film as I prefer that over B&W for the most part. I find B&W can be nice for some photos, I just prefer the photos have life too. Maybe B&W one day

Cheers,

M.

 

[Edcculus]

Oh, ok if the self timer doesn't work properly you should be fine. I rarely use those anyways.

For a 6X9 format, I HIGHLY recommend transparency slide film. I love looking at my 6X7 B&W negs. I can only imaging a 6X9 slide! WOW

 

[Legion]

Pics!

 

[rider4life]

Pics or GTFO? As promised and requested. Cell phone only for now -







I was only able to find B&W film at my local shop so I bought it. $5 plus tax which isn't bad (I think...been a LONG time since I bought film!). Still trying to find someone relatively local who can process it. I've taken 4 pictures so far...I think...There are two red windows in the back of the camera which apparently is only for the 6x4.5 version, but the inside of the back clearly states it's 6x9. It's probably going to be a little bit before I get the film developed but I'll definitely post up any pics that turn out.

Thanks again for the quick responses all!

Cheers,

M.

 

[legrandfromage]

This is a terrific site for information related to analog photography: http://www.apug.org/forums/home.php The odds are that someone on there has one of these cameras and can/will answer any questions about it.

 

[Edcculus]

I'm thinking this camera has (or had) an attachment/mask that goes into the back that allows you to shoot 6X4.5 format.

 

[rider4life]

I'm thinking this camera has (or had) an attachment/mask that goes into the back that allows you to shoot 6X4.5 format.

I'll find out if it's the original 515 which was a 6x4.5 when I get the film developed. If there's a tonne of space between the pictures then it is. If not, it's not!

Cheers,

M.