Legacy project for my brother Tim

[BF Hammer]

In January 2022 Tim was the 3rd of my 3 older brothers to pass on. A 17 year long endurance with emphysema that ended with a cancer. Yes, he liked smoking a lot. All my brothers did.

Tim did like to play with photography. He took photos at biker parties and rallies. He did several nude sessions with models and I think he was wanting to pursue this as a side-hustle. He had cards printed that we found. Following his death, I took all the photo gear that looked like it had a chance of working. It was mostly Nikon stuff, and that fits in with my gear. But it was all 1990's equipment. An N8008 SLR that refuses to power-on. A N70 SLR that appeared to work, but then the plastic film door latch broke. Some lenses (only a couple worth hanging on to), some flashes and remote flash cables. And 2 unopened rolls of Kodak T-Max 400 ISO B/W film.

I found a repair kit for the N70 film door somebody makes. Then it took some months after to find the speck of plastic that wedged into the edge seal and prevented the film door from seating closed. But I sorted all of that out this spring, and with summer here I proceeded with the project I had in mind. Shoot this 20 year old film (expired 2006) in Tim's own camera. I would use my own lenses though (I have better gear).

This starts at the end of June, 2025 with a trip to the center of the North-West hemisphere near Wausau, Wisconsin. Just a couple of test photos then on to Jurustic Park further south. I shot with Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5.

 

[BF Hammer]

Next location was from my work travels. Lunchtime at Natureland Park near Whitewater, WI. Some shots with 28-105mm and others with Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon. Yes, I had difficulty using manual focus at 15mm.

 

[BF Hammer]

Kenosha, WI waterfront for another lunch stop. All with the 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5.

 

[BF Hammer]

Another day driving through Burlington, WI and another lunch break at the dam in a park next to the VFW.

Mix of 28-105mm and 15mm lenses.

 

[BF Hammer]

Last location at Astico county park east of Columbus, WI. Also drove down the road to stand on a dangerously narrow bridge and take photos of mill just outside of the park. Only 2 dump trucks and a semi decided to drive over the bridge as I stood there.

The steel bridge is with the Zeiss 15mm and the rest of the Mill are Nikon 28-105mm.

 

[BF Hammer]

I resized all of the film scans before posting here, and I'm afraid some fine detail was lost.

Some of the Jurustic Park photos did not make it into the post...

 

[Needa]

Interesting project and an appropriate way to honor your brother memory.

 

[Woodyg3]

Well done

 

[nikonbill]

Beautiful series, a wonderful heartwarming tribute!

 

[hark]

.... Yes, I had difficulty using manual focus at 15mm.

Does the lens have any hyperfocal distance markings on it? If so, there is a way to manually focus using that gauge on the lens. Most manufacturers removed the hyperfocal markings when AF DSLR lenses emerged. But on many older manual focus lenses, you will see the marks.

 

[BF Hammer]

Thank-you everyone, this project has been therapeutic.

@hark The Zeiss lens likely has the focal markings, but of course you have to be kind of accurate on distance estimate. I think the shutter release button on the N70 is not right. I tried to hold at half-press many times and it just does not give me a correct feel. I was trying not to take an accidental photo every time. No split-prism in viewfinder so the only help is the confirmation illumination of the center square. I just settled on what looked right in the viewfinder, and clearly I have poor eyesight.

 

[Clovishound]

No split-prism in viewfinder so the only help is the confirmation illumination of the center square. I just settled on what looked right in the viewfinder, and clearly I have poor eyesight.

Does it have a diopter adjustment for the viewfinder?

 

[BF Hammer]

Does it have a diopter adjustment for the viewfinder?

I reconfirmed this, no diopter adjuster. No DOF preview available either. You either trust the autofocus or make sure your eyeglasses prescription is up to date.