Can my Pentacon Six TL handle a Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad shooting day?

This is the day.

Pentacon Six TL “full debut day.”

Because on this day, I am going to put this medium format East German camera through its paces. I’ve already run tests and trials … now let’s see if it can act like a camera that’s worthy of staying in my arsenal.

I’ve packed several different rolls of film in my camera back. I’m taking the Pentacon Six TL and the telephoto Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestegor 500mm f/5.6 lens. And I’m also packing some extension tubes. You never know when you’ll need extension tubes.

And I’m going north. Up to the Adirondacks. Because today is “Maple in April” day.

I shall explain.

The Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad runs from the heart of Corinth down to Greenfield Center and back. Most days. However … when it’s time for the “Maple in April” festival at Hadley, the SC&H runs north from Corinth to Hadley, crossing over the Sacandaga River on its way.

In the past, I’ve captured the SC&H on its journey over the bridge; and last year, one of my infrared shots picked up a second place silk at the Iowa State Fair’s photography salon. But that was shooting at the same level as the train bridge; this time, I want to shoot from the riverbank.

And while I’m at it, let’s capture the train crossing on film.

You know what? Let’s add to it and capture the image on slide film.

And that’s why I’m actually down at the shore of the Sacandaga River. The Meyer-Optik Görlitz Orestegor 500mm lens is aimed directly at the bridge. And I’ve got a pack of Kodak Ektachrome E-100 slide film in the Pentacon.

I don’t want much, do I? 😀

Okay. The train has to cross the Sacandaga River three journeys to Hadley, and two journeys back from Hadley to Corinth. That gives me five tries. And if I get it on the first try … then I can do some other SC&H or Hadley Maple in April photos with the Pentacon Six TL. We shall see.

It’s raining out here. I’m hoping the rain will work in my favor, but I’m not completely sure on that.

And right on time … on its way to Hadley … is the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railroad, with its brand new, fully restored locomotives.

Let’s see if this works.

Not bad for old Ektachrome that has spent the past 20 years in a freezer.

Okay, now for a trip to Hadley itself. Let’s see if I can get the Pentacon Six to play nice on this miserable weather day.

And in doing so … I got this nice “puddle” shot of ALCO-5’s designation. Which is hella cool.

Now if you were impressed with that earlier shot of the train on the tracks … let me show you what that same shot looked like as the train went back across the tracks to Corinth. And instead of using the telephoto lens, I used the standard Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 80mm f/2.8 lens and stood at the same spot as before. And this came out.

I could probably flip this into a black and white shot and get a better image from it, but … this was just for comparison.

As far as I’m concerned, the Meyer Optik Görlitz Orestegor 500mm lens did its job and did it admirably. I’ll keep this in the arsenal for future use, for sure.

And let’s keep shooting, shall we?