Marathon in Stockholm - Using my Zorki Rangefinder

I spent a sweltering day in August of this year treading the pavements of Stockholm.

I was participating in a Covid version of Stockholm Fotomarathon. The event was eight hours instead of 24 hrs, with 12 themes to interpret.

My previous marathon attempts (Malmö and Stockholm) were digital. This time I figured - 'why not go analogue?', since that's how I photograph anyway. So I packed my Fed 2 as the competing camera - only 12 exposures were allowed on a roll of Ilford something 400 ASA. I very much enjoy using the Fed - it's very reliable and so light! to carry. Being only one redesign step from a Barnack Leica II, I could rely on it functioning throughout.

As my second camera of choice - just to make photos for fun - I chose the Zorki (I). Now, that's a straight copy of said Leica camera. I have painted it with Hammerite to have it resemble Vivian Maier's camera from one of her famous reflections photos.

The Zorki is great fun to use. It has separate rangefinder and viewfinder windows (unlike the Fed 2) which prompts a method of composing that I am not super aquainted to. Also - to add to the fun - I brought four lenses and their accessory viewfinders. A Canon FD 135 mm / 100 mm viewfinder; a Jupiter-8 50 mm; Canon 35 mm lens / 35 mm viewfinder; (recalibrated) Industar-69 28 mm / 20 mm viewfinder. All these lenses (with adapter in the case of the 135 mm) and designated viewfinders fit both cameras.

Industar-69 28 mm

I lost a quarter of my photos on three rolls due to sloppy handling during development. I am however rather content with those that did come out all right.

Industar-69 28 mm

Canon FD 135 mm

Canon 35 mm

Industar-69 28 mm

Canon FD 135 mm

Industar-69 28 mm

Industar-69 28 mm

Jupiter-8 50 mm

Canon FD 135 mm

Canon FD 135 mm (cropped)

 

Taking a well-earned break. Lentils are really good marathon grub.

Canon FD 135 mm

The 12 photographs that I exposed for the competition are yet (middle to end of October) to be seen by me, having been developed for the Marathon jury.

Here are some of the themes: 7 The foot; 8 New normal; 9 The city of my dreams; 10 Look; 11 Sustainability; 12 My participant number.

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