American Cameras from the Old Days
Sep 14, 2011 22:15:59 #
I know we've been bewailing the lack of USA made modern cameras, but we did, once upon a time, make them. And some pretty good ones. Early Kodak cameras (I have one of the old folding cameras that must date from 1910 or thereabouts) that still works ... sort of. Anyone else have any of these wonderful old cameras? A friend of mind (he's a Russian, of course!) shoots with an old Graflex and just loves it. He's also a heck of a photograppher.
So who had what? Brownie cameras? Poloroid? Argus? Graflex? Just curious. Anyone have pictures? Does anyone still use any of them?
So who had what? Brownie cameras? Poloroid? Argus? Graflex? Just curious. Anyone have pictures? Does anyone still use any of them?
Sep 15, 2011 07:12:39 #
Hi Fivedawgz,
I have an Agfa Ansco PB 20 Plenax that my father in law purchased when he was in the CCC camps in the 1930's.According to the paperwork it was made in Binghamton, N.Y. It is a folding camera in 620 format. It has a mask included with it to make half size photos. I used it once when a friend at Kodak scrounged me up a couple of rolls of 620 film. I have the original box it came in along with the instruction booklet and even the protective packing. Fortunately my father in law didn't believe in tossing things out. Have a great day.
I have an Agfa Ansco PB 20 Plenax that my father in law purchased when he was in the CCC camps in the 1930's.According to the paperwork it was made in Binghamton, N.Y. It is a folding camera in 620 format. It has a mask included with it to make half size photos. I used it once when a friend at Kodak scrounged me up a couple of rolls of 620 film. I have the original box it came in along with the instruction booklet and even the protective packing. Fortunately my father in law didn't believe in tossing things out. Have a great day.
Sep 15, 2011 07:13:04 #
I purchased a Sure Shot box camera made in the 1920's two days ago for $5 at a junk store. I thought at least it was interesting. I found the film at a camera store and shot with it the same day. The same store (a friend of mine owns it) said he could develop it for me and print so we did. It worked and found out there is a certain look to film that I had forgotten about I know digital may be top dog but to me it seems like a hand made chair and a mass produced chair one just has a nice feel and look. Of coarse I am on the American Made Kick so mabe I am just being one sided but I am looking and if I can may try shooting some more with film.
Sep 15, 2011 08:48:14 #
My first camera was a poloroid swinger. My father gave it to me for my 10th birthday. When I was about 18 I got a Canon AE1 program that I still have. I bought a Cannon Rebel about 5 or 6 years ago. I have used it 4 times. I bought it to do my neices wedding and went digital after that. I still have much to learn.But I love not waiting to see my pictures. I had a nikon coolpix. Now I have a Nikon D3100. I'm loving it.
Sep 15, 2011 09:28:20 #
dirty dave wrote:
I purchased a Sure Shot box camera made in the 192... (show quote)
You are by no mean the only photog I know who loves the texture of film and there is a whole school of thought that pictures taken and developed from film have a distinctive look that cannot be duplicated regardless of how sophisticated your software is. I would love to play with film if it weren't so expensive and I lived someplace where I had access to developing. The boonies has pluses and minuses. Put this one in the minus column! Glad it works. That's really cool!
Sep 15, 2011 09:29:46 #
dragonfist wrote:
Hi Fivedawgz, br I have an Agfa Ansco PB 20 Plenax... (show quote)
Blessed by the preservers for they shall save our history from destruction :-)
Sep 15, 2011 13:10:18 #
Manny
Loc: Maryland, but headed to Kentucky
I have several old Kodaks and Polaroids that unfortunately I haven't had enough time to play with. I do have a Graflex, Graphic 35 that I'm running a roll of film through right now. I'll post when I finish the roll and get prints.
I do enjoy shooting digital...but I think film has soul.
I do enjoy shooting digital...but I think film has soul.
Sep 15, 2011 13:18:38 #
It does. It's hard to define, but it doesn't look like digital imaging, no matter how sophisticated. I think there's room in the world for both!
Sep 15, 2011 17:19:49 #
I kept an old camera my mother had. It is a box that is 6" by 5" by 31/2" and uses 116 film and was made by the Eastman Kodak company in New York. It has a vertical and horizantal view finder that is quite tiny and difficult to see through. I can remember my mother using it when I was a child and I have no idea how old it was then so it must be quite old as I will be 80 this month. It did take some nice pictures as I recall. The original point and shoot. The handle on it says cartridge hawk-eye model B. Just a fun thing to have.
Sep 15, 2011 21:26:22 #
richard
Loc: Mamaroneck, NY
I have a Kodak Vigilant Six-16 sitting in the closet that I would like to sell. If anyone is interested, just shoot me an email with your offer.
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