The Vintage Camera Club Thread

[Warbaby]

I got this Ball Bearing Brownie (1909-1915) on eBay last month with the intention of building one of my digital cameras into it. But besides the fact that it wasn't the right size or configuration to do what I had in mind, it was in just too nice condition to hack up. If anyone here is interested in buying it for what I have in it ($40) or trading me something for it, PM me. I've cleaned the lenses and they're in perfect condition with no fogging or scratches and the shutter seems to work perfectly. The only flaws are the missing carrying handle and the red celluloid that covers the film viewing window on the back.

 

[David Conwill]

I got this Ball Bearing Brownie (1909-1915) on eBay last month with the intention of building one of my digital cameras into it.

I love that idea - I hope you'll document the project when you find an appropriate subject.

-Dave

 

[Warbaby]

I love that idea - I hope you'll document the project when you find an appropriate subject.

-Dave

I'm planning to do that when I find the right camera at the right price. Shouldn't be too hard since I want one that's in fairly crappy condition to begin with so I won't feel bad about messing up a nice old camera. Once I've modified it with the digital camera, I can restore it cosmetically so it looks like it would have back in the day.

Whenever it happens, I'll document it with photos and a detailed description of how it was done.

 

[p51]

I love that idea - I hope you'll document the project when you find an appropriate subject.

There is a guy out of Eastern Europe who made a very impressive PH47 Army camera housing for his Canon EOS. I'd love to do something just like this but I don't have a period camera to make a copy from. Here is a link that shows this camera: http://radek.syka.us/gallery/muzeum/ph47d/album/

 

[elserienkeklave]

hello,I am new here.
I've been collecting about a year(maybe two) and have 30 camera's now.
My latest find is a French camera 'Boyer'.
Luckely most of my camera's are in working order

 

[Adele]

I recently checked this camera out from school (I would have sooner, but I didn't know we had it!), and I've been trying to find out information about it, thus I thought I would post it here (in the case any one could tell me more).

I've been doing research on the Graflex website, and I know that it must have been made between 1928-1946 for it says "Folmer Graflex Corp" and those are the years they had such a name. I suppose I would be delighted in finding the exact year (and I know there is a serial no. list, but I can't seem to locate my number, as those numbers contain six numbers and mine only has five (if you eliminate the first two). I do hope I am making some sense - I have to apologize if I don't and for the photographs, but I'm unfortunately in a hurry.

Pics:

 

[Vornholt]

Well, the designation "Air Force - US Army" combined (most likely) with the first part of the serial number says 1943 as the earliest date. Looks like a standard Speed Graphic, pre-Pacemaker. The speed controls for the focal plane shutter have been taped over, so it may or may not be in place. Without one, it will be limited to lenses in shutter, which is not a bad thing at all.

Were you planning on using it, or just curious about its history?

 

[Adele]

You know, I thought that the 43 might have been for 1943, but I then thought to myself, "Now, let's not make assumptions."

I definitely am wanting to use it (if it is still usable). Finding out about its history is a definite plus.

 

[Vornholt]

Here's a link to the manual. If you want any help, you can PM me. I own (and use) a number of Speed Graphics and I'll be happy to lend a hand.

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/graflex/c-3_graflex/c-3_graflex.htm

 

[Adele]

I do not think a thank you even covers it, but it will have to do for now. So, indeed, I am most grateful and I send my biggest thank you!!!!

 

[NathanJD]

Hello all camera buffs!! i love your collective arsenal! I'm an amateur photographer and shoot film with vintage cameras. i'm a lover of rangefinder cameras and i have the following:

some Russian beauties:

FED-2 from the late 50's and a ZORKI-4k from the early seventies. both are a sort of progression of the early 'Barnack' screw mount Leicas that the Russians copies quite faithfully back in the day.

and now i've said the 'L' word here's my pride and joy:

My workhorse Leica M2 dating from 1959 and pictured here with a Summicron 50/2 lens also dating from the fifties; part of my 'classic line up' of 3 focal lengths that match the framelines and are all age correct for the camera - a Summaron 35/3.5, the Summicron as mentioned and an Elmarit 90/2.8.

These are the kinds of photos that i achieve with this kit:

Penarth Pier

My Father

An Austin Seven in a barn at a venue for my good friend's wedding that i attended recently

 

[DapperDuck]

Zeiss

I didn't see but a couple of Zeiss folders in this thread so I thought I would post mine.

Here is a Super Ikonta B with a Synchro-Compur and coated Tessar lens and also a Ikonta 6x9 folder on the right. I bought the 6x9 folder for $20 and it was and still is in perfect condition. No "Zeiss bumps" at all. I saw a similar one that sold for about $300 on eBay a few years back.

Super Ikonta with Zeiss/Voigtlander branded flash. The flash has a rechargable NiCd battery. It still works, but the battery needs to be replaced.

Here are some larger photos:
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2182/p1010088u.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9392/p1010091t.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4157/p1010094hf.jpg

By the way, these take great photos in B/W and color.

 

[Dexter'sDame]

Nice cameras, and an inspiring WW2 photographer

Nice cameras--and their resulting photos!

In learning photography with my prewar Argus C3 over the past year, I've become a fan of photographer Tony Vaccaro's work. He used an Argus C3 during WW2 and took some fantastic photos with it. I especially like his WW2 work because although some of his subject matter is gritty and at times difficult to look at (i.e., not for the weak-stomached, such as the photo he took of the aftermath of a tank explosion), many of his images manage to have a haunting, mystical quality to them at the same time. Really inspiring stuff.

One of my favorite Tony Vaccaro photos (suitable for all stomachs):
http://www.savingfela.com/tonysample.jpg

 

[Michaelshane]

Another flea markrt find

I cant believe it happened to me......$15.00...

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[DapperDuck]

I cant believe it happened to me......$15.00...

Congratulations! That was an amazing find. Wow..... A Leica M3 for $15........... Have you tried it out yet?

 

[Michaelshane]

Just got it yesterday.Trying it out today.We'll see...[huh]

 

[DapperDuck]

Just got it yesterday.Trying it out today.We'll see...[huh]

Just be gentle with it. I broke the film advance on mine soon after I bought it. :eusa_doh: For a few extra dollars, take it to a professional for a CLA and too look at its condition.

H.

 

[Michaelshane]

The M3 works great...now off for CLA.

 

[Quigley Brown]

Some recent thrift store finds...cheap.

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[MrNewportCustom]

My most recent acquisitions:

I found this 120 format Boy camera in an antique store:

And not a purchase, but a Christmas gift from my neice; a Tower light meter:

Lee