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The DME Crew
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The DME Crew

by Kent Staubus

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted July 24, 2012310 views5 comments
I've now run two rolls through my new Rolleiflex (6x6) with 75mm f3.5 Tesssar, vintage 1951. I love this camera! It's proving easy to use, and I like the look from that 60 yr. old Tessar. Here, I found a DME train stopped for some track work. It was a hot day, the cab is not airconditioned, and the crew were out hanging around. To amuse me, they posed for me. Rather than just shooting trains & engines, I've been trying to photo the people too. B&W conversion was done by Ilford HP5. These classic old cameras are a lot of fun, and I have learned a lot using them.


Kent in SD

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on July 26, 2012 at 12:30 PM
What are all those cables hanging down on the cow catcher (or whatever that blade is called)? The Tessar is coated? That is right about when coated lenses were coming into vogue.

Do you do your own processing?
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on July 26, 2012 at 8:28 PM
I like the perspective with this image and the B&W presentation looks good.
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Kent Staubus on July 27, 2012 at 8:47 AM
The lens on the Rolleiflex is a Zeiss Tessar, and it is monocoated. You can see the blueish tint on it. I think that the first coated lenses actually began showing up during WW2, but it didn't become standard until about 1955. The "blade thing" on the front of train is actually a snow plow, but it's officially called a "pilot." The engines I saw in Scotland did not have one. The cables are actually hoses. There's a set on front and a set on the rear. They are connected together when the engines are connected so the engines can all be operated in unison by the engineer in the lead loco. One of the hoses is for air pressure, which operates the brakes on all the freight cars. The hoses are all built to a set standard so they will couple with engines of any vintage or make.


Kent in SD
Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments
Comment posted by Anil Rao on August 2, 2012 at 2:45 PM
I love this photograph, Kent. Not only does it showcase the train but also the people whose lives have been profoundly affected by it.

As always, I find that your photography exudes a strong element of truth, which to me is the most unique aspect of this medium.
Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on August 25, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Extraordinary photo, Kent. Still lovin' your work. So cool that you're using antique gear to make these. :toast:
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments