Blast from the past - Exakta VXIIa at the Gold Mines - A NelsonFoto Forums thread

[GrahamS]

I posted this thread on NelsonFoto Forums on Saturday December 10th, 2005:

Exakta Varex IIa at the Gold Mines

Going through my collection of slides, I came across these two shots taken with an Exakta Varex IIA on Kodachrome II, at what is commonly called a "mine dance" in RSA, in the 1960's. The mine workers were mostly migrant labourers who lived in accomodation segregated according to tribe. On Sundays, the various tribes put on a display of tribal dancing in a purpose built arena. If I remember correctly, the first shot is of the Shangaan, or Tsonga as they are also known, who come from Mocambique. Their performance consists of a series of solo displays, each demonstrating how fierce and virile the dancer, or warrior, is. The second group are Xhosa who have "modernised" their tribal dress with coloured ostrich feathers instead of the original white ones.

As far as I am aware, these dances are still held today, but now only workers from tribes within RSA are employed on the mines.

I had a fascination for the Exakta at the time, which belonged to my grandfather. The non-return mirror was a pain, but it sure brought home the goods.

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Graham S

Last edited by Graham Serretta on Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Mike Kovacs



Joined: 03 Aug 2005
Posts: 1532
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Exakta Varex IIa at the Gold Mines Reply with quote
Graham Serretta wrote:
The non-return mirror was a pain, but it sure brought home the goods.


No kidding - super looking kodachromes there! What is especially super is that they seem timeless - no way to know they were shot in the '60s on an obsolete camera vs yesterday on a dSLR Smile
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Last edited by Mike Kovacs on Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:42 pm; edited 1 time in total
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jcapodiferro



Joined: 04 Aug 2005
Posts: 145
Location: White, GA
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
That first shot is fantastic!
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xenotar28



Joined: 03 Aug 2005
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Location: Saddle Brook, NJ
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 4:11 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Excellent shots and interesting context.
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connealy



Joined: 03 Aug 2005
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Location: New Mexico
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:06 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Great quality from that Exakta/Kodak combination. Makes me wish I had my little Exa back with its look-down finder.
I think I read The Washing of the Spears for the first time in high school. I was tremendously impressed by the idea that the Zulu warriors could run ten miles and then immediately engage in hand-to-hand combat. The later film kind of skipped over Isandalwana and focused on Rorke's Drift where the Brits held out, but the portrayal of the Zulu's chanting and dancing was very convincing.
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nelsonfoto
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Joined: 27 Jul 2005
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:00 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Graham PM'd me saying he could not see his images. Any others having similar difficulty with IE6?
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connealy



Joined: 03 Aug 2005
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:22 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
I can see them in IE6, but they take a long time to download. If you look at the "Properties" box there is no file size indicated. Something going on at the photo.net end, I would guess.
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Klug



Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 168

PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:24 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Wonderful. K-II was about 12 ASA, no?

Had no problem viewing with IE6. The pics appeared as soon as I clicked on this thread.
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Julio1fer



Joined: 04 Aug 2005
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:54 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
I see them with IE6 too.
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Tom Hildreth



Joined: 03 Aug 2005
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:04 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
KII was ASA 25. I see them no problem with IE 6.
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keithslater



Joined: 31 Aug 2005
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:00 am Post subject: Reply with quote
Also looks to me as if they could have been taken yesterday. Excellent!
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GeneW



Joined: 13 Oct 2005
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Location: Port Credit, Ontario
PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:48 am Post subject: Reply with quote
These have held up exceptionally well. I hope Kodachrome isn't phased out any time soon.

Gene
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Mike Kovacs



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PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:18 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
GeneW wrote:
These have held up exceptionally well. I hope Kodachrome isn't phased out any time soon.

Gene


It pretty much is IMO with no K25.
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Graham Serretta



Joined: 04 Aug 2005
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:02 pm Post subject: Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post
Glad you all enjoyed - thank's for the compliments.

PS - I think I've cracked the problem I was having with IE6 - security update issue.
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Graham S

[GrahamS]

Just a BTW: Until you have heard a Zulu war drum beaten in anger, your soul would not have stirred!

[Dennis Gallus]

Graham,

I have only held an Exacta twice in my life, and never used one. Judging by your post, they certainly produced quality results. Terrific colors from the old Tessar.

Thanks for re-posting,
Dennis