FP Shutters and Minoxes

[Afterswift@aol.com]

Brian,

I think the advantage of a focal plane shutter is its ability to evenly
expose the film. A leaf shutter opens from the center and then closes down
after it has completed the edges of the frame. The result is slightly more
exposure at the center of the frame than at the outer zones of its concentric
operation. If you do your own darkroom work you'll eventually notice the
effect. 

I thought my Minox shutter was defective when it refused to operate. I
discovered that for some reason the Minox battery contacts and even the
Makrolon battery compartment itself becomes charged and acts to short the
system. By using one of those rubber erasers from a pen-type holder to
thoroughly clean the contacts and the chamber itself, the shutter sprung back
to life. I use a Minox GT, but I assume this problem may affect other models
that use the same battery system as well.

As for the lens on the Minox GT, I never experienced flare. For all practical
purposes it's as good as my Leitz 2.8 35mm Summaron. I hope Leica will retain
the classic Minox 35mm models and not make it one of the zoom AF consumer
dandies brands. 

Oddmund, photojournalism in a war zone, etc. wouldn't make me fear for the
loss of a Leica. It's my life that I would be concerned about. That you can't
replace. Figure you're well ahead of the game.

The Nikon FM never disappointed me. Mine takes any Nikon-intended lens and is
the camera I use in remote or rough country. It's light and is a real art
camera as well. And you can buy one used for a song. Its meter is every bit
as good as that on the M6 and you have full exposure disclosure in the
bargain. It also has a great FP shutter. My FM is louder than it should be; I
assume the mirror mechanisms of the newer models are quieter.

Of course the CL is valid Leica. I find it is delicate in some ways and
therefore I take extra time to keep it out of harm's way. It's remarkably
compact and passes for a P&S, which I find a great advantage in doing NYC
fieldwork, along with the Minox and XA.

Bob Rosen