The SR-71 Blackbird

Since I was being laid off for a couple of weeks, I figured I should do something with my time off. I chose to go to Ohio, to the United States Air Force museum, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

The entire reason that I came here, was the Blackbird. While there are other planes here that are fascinating to me, none hold the allure of the SR-71. I have dreamed of the damned plane since I was a child. It was the second model that I ever built (first being an A-10 Warthog that my dad helped me with). This plane has been an idol to me. I imagine this is what Catholics feel when they go to the vatican. Yes, I hold this plane in that high of regard.

Anyway, enough writing (I could go on for hours), and onto the pictures:

Yes, I am childish and had to break the rules and touch the plane.

The Dark & Dreary

The sky was too perfect for me not to shoot, on my way back home.

 

Just A Bridge

This is not a great photo for any reason, other than the fact that my mother hates heights, and I like to torment her, from time to time. Who said a bridge truss is not a walk-way?

Quick Shots, After Work

Before I left for work this morning, I decided to grab a camera. I am trying to erase any excuses I may have, to not get out and shoot more. Anyway, on my way home, I stopped a few places and took some shots.

 

Pretty much due all to one of my best friends, Kevin, I had to do some black and whites. He has been shooting/processing in B&W, and damnit... I miss black and white.

 

A Celebratory Treat

While looking for a new cigar to smoke this weekend, I saw this resplendent bastard sitting in the corner of the humidor...

The Zeiss Ikon

A while ago, I started to restore an old Zeiss Ikon Box Tengor camera. I tore the camera down, and cleaned everything, and kind of just let it sit...

Anyway, I found some sources for the leather that will go back on the camera when it is done, as well as some different paints and materials. The first picture is what the camera looks like, in all its broken down glory.

The body stripped of the old scratched paint and rust:



 

The shutter cassette, and the body painted: flat black and semi-gloss.

The shutter cassette with the shutter mechanics and viewing mirrors. I did not paint the inside of the cassette due to the need to remove rivets to access all the internal lenses. I do not have a source for the rivets, nor do I have a tool to re-rivet. The shutter blade has been polished, and re-lubed, and operates very smoothly, with a nice mechanical "clack."

I still need to sand down the camera face, re-paint some parts, and order the leather to re-wrap the body. After it is all back together, and cleaned one final time, I will get some film and start shooting with it.

Bridges, Old & New

 

High ISO + Late nights

Tonight, I decided to forgo the tripod and set my camera on 1600, and forget about image quality and just have fun.

It turns out that 38 degrees, and a wind off the river, while on top of a bridge, is stupidly cold. Ah, well... It was still fun, and it kind of inspired me to get off my ass and want to get out to shoot more.

Black & White

My "New" Camera Project

I have decided to get this old Kodak cleaned up, and converted to use 120 film. The camera uses A130 film, that sadly, is no longer made. From what I have read, there are a few people that will rewind 130 rolls, but at $10+ dollars, plus shipping per roll... I will see if I can make this use the 120, that is still around.

The camera was made by the Kodak company made the 2C Autographic (what this is) from 1916 - 1927. I have an early model that was made between 1916 and 1918. I wont be doing much restoration on this camera, as the lens is still in good shape, and while the outside of the bellows are cracking, the insides are good, with no light bleed. Also, I need to find out how to "restore & preserve" the leather covering... It is covered in fine grain seal leather. I am assuming that it is like any other leather, but... I dunno.

A neat feature of the camera: The film window & stylus. This was used to write whatever on the film, as you took a photo. You could consider it the first time/date stamp on a camera.