Medium Format Cameras

This portion of the museum contains cameras which are medium format with film that is larger than 35mm and generally 2.25" or 6cm wide. It also contains some large format cameras where the film format is at least 4" x 5". Cameras are listed alphabetically by manufacturer. Medium format cameras range from very inexpensive consumer models popular up through the early 1960s to very sophisticated and expensive professional cameras such as the Hasselblad and the Pentax 6x7. Almost all types of focusing and viewing systems are represented including fixed focus viewfinder systems, twin lens reflex, single lens reflex, rangefinder, and even view cameras (e.g. the Beattie Portronic which appears to incorporate viewing and focusing on ground glass at the film plane and twin lens reflex viewing and focusing). Some medium format cameras also have autofocus, but none currently in the museum. Most use traditional film, but the Polaroid cameras instead create instant prints. I have included them in the medium format category since the frame size falls within the parameters of medium format. Kodak also produced instant print films, but ceased production after copyright infringement litigation brought by Polaroid. Finally, some medium format cameras are fitted with digital backs. These backs are quite expensive and therefore the museum does not have any of the medium format digital cameras.

Medium format cameras have an advantage over smaller formats like 35mm since the large negative or other media gives higher resolution or greater detail or information. Therefore, larger prints can be made or the image can be cropped more while maintaining acceptable image quality. The format is also large enough that contact prints made without enlarging yield acceptable sized snapshots. Most prints from the inexpensive consumer medium format cameras were made in this way. Many of the old family photos in my family while growing up were from inexpensive medium format cameras. I occassionally scan the old negatives with my Epson Perfection 3170 Photo flat bed scanner that allows scanning of 35mm and medium format negatives and slides. Over time my mom and dad "progressed" to 126 film, 110 film and disc film. The images from the old medium format cameras were not suprisingly often the best due to the large image size.

The traditional medium format film has been 120 or 220 roll film. Both are 6cm wide. 120 roll film delivers twelve 6cm x 6cm negatives while 220 roll film delivers twice that number. There were many variations especially among older cameras with films such as 620, 127, 116, 616, 130, 124, 118 and 122. These films are generally not available today although sometimes 120 roll film can be fit onto the spools of these other sized films.

Agfa
	Agfa Clack (Large) inexpensive German consumer camera using 120 roll film with a 6x9cm frame. Produced between 1954 and 1965 by Agfa Camera-Werk AG in Munich. Mine appears to be a later version according to the discussion in Matt Denton Photo. It has two aperture settings - a smaller opening for "sunny" and a larger opening for "cloudy." It has a third setting for close-ups of 1-3 meters or 3 to 10 feet. It seems to be the same aperture as the "cloudy." The apertures and the close focus are done by a simple turret. According to Alfred's Camera Page the close focus is done by a supplemental positive lens. Single shutter speed of 1/35 second according to Matt Denton Photo along with a B setting. That site also says the "sunny" setting is f16 and the "cloudy" setting is f11. Matt Denton Photo indicates that despite being a very simple, inexpensive camera, it is capable of producing quite clear photos due to its large image size, small aperture and curved film plane which compensates for the simple lens. Since the shutter speed is so low, it is important to hold the camera still. Surprisingly for an inexpensive camera, it has a tripod mount and a remote shutter release socket. Since it takes 120 roll film, it can also easily be used today. Mine was purchased as part of a collection of 35+ vintage consumer cameras for about $200 from an ad on Craigslist on 6-27-08 in Oceanside, CA. It is in very good cosmetic and working condition. It needs an empty film spool.
Ansco
	Anscoflex (Open)(1953 -1956) Twin lens viewing, 620 film yielding 6x6cm negatives, 2 element taking lens, fixed focus, one aperture of about f11, about 75mm focal length, about 1/60 second single shutter speed. T.W. Oliver Photography states he has been able to squeeze in 120 roll film. That site also indicates the close focus is about 10 feet. "Made in Binghamton, N.Y. U.S.A." The later Anscoflex II added a close up lens and a yellow filter with dials on front according to 1956 Sears Catalog. That catalog priced the Anscoflex II at $18.95 and the Anscoflex at $15.95. The Anscoflex was like many cameras at the time, such as the Argus 75 Reflex and Kodak Duraflex, which had twin lens viewing, but fixed focus and therefore did not offer the true benefit of a twin lens reflex focusing system. The lowest priced true twin lens reflex camera in the 1956 Sears Catalog was the Tower Reflex priced at $35.95. The Anscoflex has a striking modern design. The metal door in front opens up revealing the taking and viewing lenses. That automatically also opens the large, bright viewfinder. The design was by famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy, referred to at the official www.raymondloewy.com Website as the father of industrial design. His other credits include the Studebaker Starliner Coupé in 1953, the Greyhound bus in 1954, the Studebaker Avanti in 1961 and the Shell gasoline logo in 1962. Despite its cool looks, it is a very basic box camera and significantly less sophisticated than true twin lens reflex cameras like the Kodak Reflex, Argoflex or Ikoflex. Mine was purchased as part of a collection of 35+ vintage consumer cameras for about $200 from an ad on Craigslist on 6-27-08 in Oceanside, CA. It is in very good cosmetic and working condition. It came with the eveready case. Anscoflex cameras appear to be relatively plentiful and cheap on eBay.
Argus
	Argus Argoflex EM (1948) appears to be an Argoflex EM made only in 1948 comparing it to the picture at Argus Collectors Group - Twin Lens Reflex Cameras. According to that site, the EM takes only 620 film although earlier E models also took 120 film. Rick Oleson shows how to convert an essentially similar Model EF (added flash shoe and flash synchronization) to 120 film. Therefore, I think it can be fairly easily converted to use 120 film which is still available unlike 620 film. (120 film and 620 film are the same size, but the spool size differs.) The EM and EF are metal bodied cameras. It appears that the earlier E cameras were bakelite. The EM and EF (1948-1953) appear to be the last of the true twin lens reflex Argus cameras. The later Argus twin lens reflex cameras were either fixed focus or estimation focus. The viewing lens on the Argoflex EM is an f4.5 Anastigmat. It has a depth of field scale. The taking lens is 75mm f4.5. Shutter speeds from 1/10 to 1/200 plus B and T. Apertures are f4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.7 and 18. In other words, they do not follow the usual f4, 5.6, 8, 11, and 16. You focus by turning the ring on the viewing lens. That cogged ring meshes with the cogged ring on the taking lens. Twin lens viewing and focusing with a magnifer and sports finder. Many complain that the viewfinder is rather dim. Tripod mount and remote shutter release. The manual for what appears to be the EM or EF is at www.butkus.org. Mine was purchased as part of a collection of 35+ vintage consumer cameras for about $200 from an ad on Craigslist on 6-27-08 in Oceanside, CA. My is in very good cosmetic condition. The name label around the taking lens is missing. The lenses look clear. The viewfinder is reasonably clean. The shutter works. A nice entry level true twin lens reflex!
Beattie
	Beattie Portronic, a heafty camera about a foot tall. It was made in the U.S.A. by Photographic Products Inc., Anaheim, Calif. It has a Wollensak 152mm, f6.3 Raptar lens. Apertures go to f32. It is a view camera focusing on ground glass approximately 2.5" by 3.25". It is also a twin lens reflex camera, however, having a separate focusing unit on top. It appears to have only one shutter speed. It has an elaborate system of electrical connections both outside and inside the camera. I assumed originally these were for some sort of flash system, but I saw one on E-Bay with some sort of attached bulk roll film holder. The electrical system may be involved with the roll film holder. The metal plate on the camera on E-Bay read "Beattie Portronic, Coleman Inc., Anaheim Cal. Model A-162, Type 15130." I assume the camera was made for studio portrait work, perhaps usually using bulk roll film. Mine looks to be in fairly good condition with some slight surface rust. I purchased it at a yard sale in about 2002 for $10. If anyone knows more about Beattie Portronic cameras, please e-mail me.
Update: There was an identical looking "Beattie 70mm long roll camera" for sale on San Diego Craigslist in September 2008 with two 100 foot film magazines. I called. The seller was a professional photographer. He had acquired it used many years ago. He had used it for school photos. The electrical connections drive the bulk film magazine. He also had a "Camerez 35mm long roll camera" for sale with tripod and also two 100 foot film magazines. It was similar in function but with a smaller 35mm format. He wanted around $200 for them which was too high for me since I would just use them for display having no need for bulk film capabilities. He guessed the Beattie was at least 40 years old. I also did a Web search. In Cleveland, Tennessee there is Beattie Camera Systems Sales Service & Repair which acquired the warehouse of Beattie Manufacturing. Beattie Camera System Sales Service & Repair has been in business since 1979. They also sell long roll Camerez cameras. On eBay in September 2008 there was also a Long Roll 2 1/4 Beattie-Coleman Camera for sale. It was more modern looking and purchased in the 1980s apparently for thousands of dollars. It had also been used for school photography. There were also several other ads for Beattie film magazines. There are also Beattie Intenscreens, which are brighter than traditional ground glass screens. This appears to be the same company since the logo is the same as on some of the more modern Beattie cameras.
Burke & James
Additional Photos: Camera Large, Lens Large, Lens Alternate View, Camera Back Large, On Gitzo Tripod, Low View.
Burke and James 8 x 10 Commercial View Camera, with 300mm f5.6 Schneider Kreuznach Symmar-S lens and Gitzo tripod. Burke & James. Classic 4x5/5x7 cameras indicates Burke & James was a large Chicago camera store that sold good value products under its house brand. The company was in business from 1897 until the early 1970s. (Burke & James History, photo.net. See also Burke and James Press Camera Manual and Burke & James Press Camera.) Camera Identification, New Price and Value Today. Butkus.org has three Burke and James Catalogs. The 1963 Burke & James catalog at page 4 of the pdf document (only a portion of the catalog is reproduced) has the "Burke & James Commercial View Camera" which came in 8x10, 11x14 or 8x20 (for "banquets" or panoramas) formats. The 8x10" camera, No. 511-A, sold for $199.50 without a lens or accessories. It looks to be the same as mine. $199.50 in 1963 has the same buying power as $1,408.03 in 2009. With lens the camera sold from $299.50 ($2,113.81 in 2009 dollars)(uncoated lens) to $449.50 ($3,172.49 in 2009 dollars). The cameras were made in the United States and used kiln-dried sealed hardwood. I think they sold these cameras for many years. Mine therefore could easily be from a decade before or after 1963. A discussion on Photo.net discusses the camera (without lens) going for about $120 to $300 in the used market from 2006 to 2009. In addition to the camera, I also received two Fidelity 8x10 cut film holders. Refinishing to Reveal Maple. Burke & James view cameras were usually painted grey with red bellows. Underneath the grey paint is maple wood. "Some notes on restoring an 8x10 Burke and James View Camera," Large Format Photography discusses stripping the paint from a camera like mine and staining the underlying maple wood darker. The finished product shown in that article is beautiful. Flicker also has photos of beautifully restored Burke & James view cameras with the paint removed. Camera 1, Camera 2. Christopher - Motorcycles has some nice images from a Burke and James 8 x 10 view camera. 300mm f5.6 Schneider Kreuznach Symmar-S lens. The 300mm lens is considered a normal lens for 8 x 10 cameras. Technical data for the 300mm f5.6 Schneider Kreuznach Symmar-S lens is at the Schneider Optics site. The lens is made in Germany. It is about 10cm long with a mass of 1.215 Kg with its Compur 3 shutter. Shutter speeds are from 1 to 1/200 and Time. Apertures range from f5.6 to f64. A comment by a professional photographer at a Flicker Large Format Discussion states: "A 300mm like a Symmar-S or a Sironar N in a Copal #3 shutter should be fairly inexpensive (~$300) if you hunt a bit. There's not a huge demand for these bulky studio lenses, but they're fast and sharp (if not light)." A discussion entitled 300mm f/5.6 Symmar-S [circa 1980] vs Current 300mm f/5.6 Apo-Symmar indicates that person's 300mm f5.6 Symmar-S is from about 1980. Someone replying indicated they had a newer 300mm f/5.6 Symmar-S. My lens therefore probably dates around 1980 give or take. Schneider Kreuznach - Wikipedia has a list of dozens of Schneider Kreuznach lenses produced since the company was founded in 1913. Gitzo Tripod. The tripod is a very robust Gitzo tripod with a pan tilt head. I can't find any model number on the tripod itself. The head is marked R.No.2. The tripod is similar to one that was on eBay, "GITZO 500 Tele Studex Giant Heavy Duty R No.3 tripod head." That one was taller, however. I think the Giant may be the extra tall ones. Mine is also similar to the new Gitzo G-1506 Tele Studex Compact Tripod legs at B & H Photo that sells for $525 without center column or head! My tripod is very sturdy and works well. It is clearly intended for heavy cameras. It is compact when closed measuring only 21 inches long without the head. It is a four segment tripod with each segment being only about 1 foot long. The maximum height to the base where the head sits is about 48.5 inches. The center column increases it about another 7.5 inches. The head is 6 inches high. The maximum height with the center column extended and the head attached is about 62 inches. The legs also extend out in at least two different angles allowing you to have a very wide base and a low height of 21.25 inches even with the center column and head. Gitzo tripods are made in France and are generally very well respected and expensive. I also have a much lighter Gitzo Gilux Reporter tripod which I use for my digital SLR. It is a wonderful tripod that I purchased for only $5 or $10 a couple of years ago at a local garage sale. A nice thing about tripods is that they really don't change that quickly over time. An old tripod is still very useable. While a graphite tripod might be nice, these aluminum tripods perform very well. Condition. Everything seems to be in good condition. The bellows appears to be in great shape. The lens looks very clear. It has perhaps a very minor scuff. It does not come with lens caps. The tripod works very well although it may be missing a knob on the end of the lever which raises the center post. This does not affect the operation at all. Purchase. I purchased it at a 11-14-09 garage sale in the Ocean Beach - Point Loma area of San Diego. The garage sale was advertised on Craiglist and mentioned an 8x10 camera and heavy duty Gitzo tripod. The seller was a professional photographer. Originally he offered the camera and lens for $300 and another $100 for the tripod. I negotiated $300 for everything. He used the camera for fine arts work. For example, he showed me a photo of high surf and surfing by Boomer's Beach and La Jolla Cove. He took it with this camera. He sent it to a facility in Los Angeles for processing. They also scanned it for him. It was eventually digitally printed also. My Plans. This camera will probably be only for my collection. I would like to experiment with large format photography someday. Available on Google Books is Steve Simon's Using the View Camera with general information on operation of a view camera. I also have a 4x5 camera, however. 4x5 appears to be much more practical to use. Film is much more readily available and less expensive. Further, it might be possible to process black and white negatives myself. Also, I would probably be able to scan it myself. While an 8x10 image has 4 times the area and hence resolution of a 4x5 image, a 4x5 image is still very large. The tripod here would be great to use with the 4x5 camera. I am intrigued by the possibility of stripping the old grey paint from my 8x10 James and Burke camera and then probably coating the wood with polyurethane. The natural wood should be very beautiful. I personally like maple. It seems to be a do-able project.
Ciroflex
	Ciroflex, twin lens reflex popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Made in United States. I have two. The shutter does not work in one. The viewfinder/mirror in both is very dim. The focusing glass on the working one is broken. I acquired both on eBay. The price in the 1949 Montgomery Ward Photographic Catalog for a Ciroflex with Alphax Flash Shutter was $83.50, equivalent to $768 in 2008 dollars. The price with Rapax Flash Shutter was $113.50, equivalent to $1,044 in 2008 dollars. For more information, see generally, The Classic Camera, medfmt.8k.com. The manual is available at photographica.
Fotochrome

Fotochrome (circa 1965) (Large Image) There are photos of the camera from several different angles at the following Japanese Site. Medium format camera with 6cm x 9cm frame using unique positive "Fotochrome" film. The manual in English is at La collection d'appareils photo anciens par Sylvain Halgand. The manual indicates the lens is a f4.5 color corrected lens with zone focusing. The address on the warranty card is Camera Division, Fotochrome Inc., 45-20 33rd Street, Long Island City, New York, 11101. According to a discussion at photo.net the "film" was "Ansco direct-positive color print material" with an ASA (ISO) rating of 10. According to the last comment in that discussion, the cameras did not compete well for a variety of reasons. Ken Riley Photographics states that the camera new in the original box has a book value today of $65 to $100, with the camera alone having a value of $30 to $50. These values are likely high today since I purchased mine on eBay on December 17, 2008 from a pawn shop in Plantation, Florida for $9.99 with $8.50 shipping. I was the only bidder and the seller had several more available. It is new in the box with all original packaging, but no owner's manual. The shutter works as does the aperture and Selenium meter at least to the extent the aperture appears to vary in changing light. The camera had an internal mirror which directed the light towards the bottom of the camera where the film was. Viewing was through a simple viewfinder window and was not connected with the mirror (it was not an SLR). It had a pop up flash reflector with a socket for M-3 flash bulbs. The apparent lack of sales likely explains why you can still find brand new 43 year old specimens today. Ken Riley Photographics states it was made by Petri Camera of Japan. See also FOTOFEX CAMERA's PAGE, Flickr - Bill Strong - Fotochrome Camera, Flickr - John Kratz - Fotochrome Camera, www.stronghorses.com, Fotochrome - Chinese Site, Petri - Camerapedia (has photo of "Petri Fotochrome" but Fotochrome is not otherwise discussed in the history or in camera list). Petri made quality rangefinder and single lens reflex cameras as can be seen in those sections of the museum. The facts specified in court cases seem to cast doubt on whether the Fotochrome camera was made by Petri, however. The court in Fotochrome, Inc. v. Copal Co., 517 F.2d 512 (para. 2) (2d Cir. 1975) (http://www.altlaw.org/v1/cases/549959) states: "Fotochrome, Inc. ("Fotochrome"), a Delaware corporation with offices in the Eastern District of New York, and Copal Company, Ltd. ("Copal"), a Japanese corporation, neither present nor doing business in the United States, entered into a contract in 1966 under which Copal would manufacture cameras in Japan according to specifications provided by Fotochrome, and Fotochrome would purchase the cameras for distribution in the United States." The case involved a Japanese arbitration brought by Copal seeking payment for cameras it made for Fotochrome. Fotochrome counter claimed alleging that delivery was not timely and cameras were defective. Near the conclusion of the arbitration, Fotochrome filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 26, 1970. Thereafter, an arbitration award was issued in favor of Copal. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the District Court, 377 F.Supp. 26 (E.D.N.Y.1974), which found, after examining numerous international law and personal jurisdiction issues, the Japanese arbitration award was valid even though it was issued after the filing of the United States bankruptcy case. There is no mention of Petri in the case. Likewise there is no mention of Petri on the box, camera, or manual. Copal is a Japanese manufacturer of shutters. Copal - Camerapedia.
Graflex
(Large) (Large Side/Back View)	Graflex Speed Graphic (circa 1947) 3.25" x 2.25" Pacemaker Speed Graphic "press camera" made from 1947 to 1970. (I'm in the process of verifying the model.) Graflex.org states: "It was the dominant portable professional camera from the 1930's through the end of the 1950's." These are the cameras you see in the old movies with the flash bulbs popping. Viewing and focusing can be done in different ways. First, these are view cameras and hence you can view and focus using the ground glass on the back. It has a pop up device that covers the ground glass when closed. When opened, it serves as a shade for the ground glass. Second, you can view and frame through the viewing window on top. On the side is a separate "Kalart Synchronized Range Finder" to focus. Actual focusing is done by moving either of the two knobs in front which moves the lens forward and backwards on the rails. My camera has a Kodak Flash Supermatic shutter and Kodak Ektar 100mm f4.5 lens. There appears to be two sets of shutter speeds - fast speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200 and 1/400 second and slow speeds of 1/10, 1/5, 1/2 and 1 second. Apertures are f4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 and 37. My lens is serial number EO7900. According to the code at graflex.org, this means it was made in 1946. If this is true and if mine is indeed a Pacemaker model, it must be one of the earliest Pacemakers with the lens slightly predating the introduction of the Pacemaker model in 1947. There is no light meter or battery. The Pacemaker Speed Graphic 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 sold for $338.20 in the 1955 Sears Camera Catalog. That's equal to $2,680 in 2008 dollars. This was therefore clearly a professional level camera. The 4 x 5 Speed Graphic sold for only slightly more at $356.75. The Crown Graphic models without the focal plane shutter of the Speed Graphic models sold for $315.85 for the 4 x 5 model and $318.90 for the 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 model. The only cameras in the 1955 Sears Camera Catalog selling for more than the Speed Graphic cameras was the Hasselblad with the 80mm f2.8 Kodak Ektar lens selling for $476 and some of the Zeiss Contax 35mm rangefinder cameras which ranged from $336 to $412 depending on the lens they came with. The Nikon 35mm rangefinder with Nikkor f2 lens and Leica mount was a bargin at $269. Manufactured by Graflex, Inc., Rochester 8, New York, U.S.A. The shutter and lens were also made in the U.S.A. by Eastman Kodak, also located in Rochester. I believe the camera will take either sheet film or roll film. These were also made in 4" x 5" and 3.25" x 4.25" models. Cosmetically, it is in excellent condition. There is some paint loss near the name "Speed Graphic." The rangefinder works. The lens looks clear and free of scratches. The leather is good. It opens by pressing a button under the leather just in front of the top of the handle. This took me quite a while to find out and apparently is one of the most frequently asked questions about the Speed Graphic. I have not fired the shutter yet since I need to figure out how to cock it. I haven't spent much time with the camera yet, and it is indeed a pretty complicated looking piece of equipment which, of course, just adds to its extreme coolness! I'm going to study up on how to operate it so as to not break anything. I purchased it with a bunch of other camera equipment for a total of $75 on 2-1-09 in Chula Vista, CA from an ad on Craigslist. This was by far the most valuable item and we allocated $50 to it. The seller had acquired the items as part of a large collection of things in an apartment contents auction. The original owner was an elderly gentleman in his 90s who had to leave the apartment for medical reasons. A super cool camera which I will be exploring more in the future!
(Large)	Graflex Speed Graphic (circa 1947) 4" x 5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic "press camera." Date is from the Kodak lens that has serial no. ES 15994. According to the code at graflex.org, this means it was made in 1947. That site specifies a 4 digit number code while mine has 5 digits. I assume the letter code for the date still works, however. The Lens is a Kodak Ektar 127mm f4.7. According to graflex.org, Kodak started making the Ektar series around 1940. Graflex.org states: "The 127/4.7 . . . was the best corrected on axis of the Ektar 101/127/152 series. Though nominally a lens for 3.25x4.25 press cameras, it is fairly common on 4x5" Speed Graphics, and works admirably on 4x5" without movements. In all but the most demanding situations, the circle of coverage was adequate. It was particularly suited to press use, because in documentary photography, the clarity in the corners may . . . often not be important." Kodak Flash Supermatic shutter with speeds of T, B, 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200 and 1/400. Apertures of f4.7 to f32. Hugo Meyer Precision rangefinder Model 4P. It came with six Riteway Graphic 4x5 film Holders by Graflex that appear to be new in the box. There was one additional used Fidelity film holder. Additionally, there is a Graphic Film Pack Adapter by Graflex and a Adapt-a-Roll 620 medium format roll film adapter made by Ta-Mar, Incorporated, Culver City, California. It also came with a large chrome flash that attaches to the side although it is missing the reflector. It all comes in a large case in pretty rough condition. The camera itself appears to be in working, although well used, condition. The shutter and aperture work. The seller said it was used by a professional photographer in the Ocean Beach area of San Diego for many years. Mine was purchased around early summer 2009 from an ad on Craigslist for $50. At the same time I purchased an older Polaroid camera from the seller for $25.
Hasselblad
(Large) (Front View)	Hasselblad 500c (1968, model made from 1957 to 1970) a Swedish medium format single lens reflex camera with a German Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm f2.8 lens. Hasselblad cameras and Carl Zeiss lenses are noted for their precision and sharpness and are two of the most respected names in photography. They are expensive, however. A new Hasselblad 503CW with an 80mm f2.8 Zeiss lens costs over $4,000 as of the Summer of 2007 at B&H Photo. The shutters and focusing mechanisms are in the lenses. Photoethnography has a fantastic and detailed discussion about Hasselblad. She notes it is relatively compact for a medium format camera. Mine, with lens and film back, is under 17cm long, 10cm high and 10cm wide. Another popular medium format camera, the Mamiya 67, is significantly larger in part because it has bellows focusing. The advantage of bellows focusing, however, is a closer minimum focusing distance. Setting the exposure on the Hasselblad takes some getting use to since it uses Exposure Values (EV). The shutter ring on the lens has both shutter speeds and EVs. You press the EV/aperture button on the aperture ring bringing the red arrow on the aperture ring in line with the correct EV which you read from your hand held light meter. Release the EV/aperture button and then turn the shutter dial, which is now coupled with the aperture ring, to the shutter speed/aperture you want. All of this sounds pretty confusing, but it takes only a short while to get use to it. I got a book by H. Fretag, The Hasselblad Way (Focal Press, 7th ed 1978), on eBay to help me figure things out. (There are several subsequent editions of the book.) The 500C was made from 1957 to 1970 according to Photoethnography. Using the chart at that site also revealed that my camera was made in 1968. My camera was purchased around May 2007 at a Sunday garage sale in the Eastridge area of La Mesa, CA. The seller had a bunch of photography stuff out, but not this camera. I asked if he had any cameras and he brought this out. He had a newer Hasselblad and was willing to sell this with two film backs, 70mm film adapters, a flash bracket, and a flash for $150 which I considered a great deal for a Hasselblad. It seems to be in very good cosmetic and working condition although I have not tried it out yet extensively. (I'm still learning.) It did not come with a viewfinder hood, but I purchased a Hasselblad waist level finder from an ad on Craig's List San Diego on 7-10-07 for $20. I also on 6-12-07 purchased a Hasselblad chimney magnifying finder on eBay for $9.99 plus $10.22 shipping. I got this since the waist level finders seemed too pricey on eBay. There are numerous other kinds of finders including eye level metered finders. Photoethnography has a separate page discussing Hasselblad and Russian Kiev finders. I always wanted to try out medium format photography but found it too expensive. This turned out to be an inexpensive and fortunate way to try it out with one of the most respected names in cameras. I doubt if I will use it that much, however, since digital is so much more convenient. They make digital backs for modern Hasselblads, but the cost of a 16.3 megapixel digital back alone as of the summer of 2007 is about $9,000 at B&H compared to 10 megapixel digital SLRs costing $700.
Kodak
Other Images: Front, Side, Back, Folded, Closed, Case, Case and Film Holder
Rochester Optical & Camera Co. Pony Premo No. 3 (circa 1899-1903) Wooden drop bed folding 4" x 5" film format view camera made by R.O.&C.Co., which stands for the Rochester Optical & Camera Company. As explained by Rudolf Kingslake, A History of The Rochester, NY Camera and Lens Companies, in 1899 five Rochester, N.Y. companies formed the Rochester Optical & Camera Company. The assets of that company were acquired by George Eastman in 1903 and the name was changed back to the Rochester Optical Company, one of the original five companies. "In 1907 it became the Rochester Optical Division of the Eastman Kodak Company, and in 1918 the Rochester Optical Department." (See also Rochester Optical Co., Wikipedia.) Since mine has the R.O.&C.Co. initials just below the shutter speeds, I assume mine was made somewhere between 1899 and 1903, the years the Rochester Optical & Camera Company was in existence. I have put it under Kodak since Kodak eventually acquired that company and still made this model. It is beautifully crafted of wood, leather, brass, chrome and glass. The name tag on front says "Pony Premo No.3. On the front, top of the drop bed it says "The Premo Camera." The handle also says "Premo." Above the aperture settings it says "Victor." Just under the lens engraved into the brass it says "Bausch & Lomb Opt. Co. Pat. Jan. 6, 91." Bill Strong's Vintage Cameras indicates McKeown indicates this shutter was made in 1901 consistent with the 1899 to 1903 time period above. One of the three film holders which came with the camera has two dark slides with writing on them. One says "THE PREMO CAMERA, PAT. JULY 19, 1890, OCT. 14, 1902." The other dark slide is the same except instead of the October 14, 1902 date, it says "OTHER PAT'S PENDING." Pony Premo No. 3, Camerapedia indicates the Victor shutter may have been an advanced version of Bausch & Lomb's famous Unicum shutter. The apertures are f128 (astonishing small), f64, f32, f16, f8. Shutter speeds are 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/25, 1/100, B (bulb) and T (Time). The focusing scale goes down to 6 feet. The lens is marked "4 x 5 Rapid Rectilinear Lens." The focal length is not marked but looks to be about 6.5 inches or 165mm. The camera uses 4" x 5" sheet film which is still available today. With some minor modification, these cameras can therefore still be used today as explained at Paul Lewis, Bare Bones Vintage Cameras, Photovision Arts and Techniques Magazine, vol. 1, no. 2. The manual is available at www.cameramanuals.org. These types of cameras are sometimes called cycle cameras because they collapsed to a small size allowing you to take them on a bicycle ride. The 1890s and the early 1900s were a golden age for both the bicycle and American field view cameras. Cameras like this were finely crafted although directed to amateur photographers. My Seroco camera below is a similar example. My Pony Premo No.3 comes with a case snugly fitting the closed camera and three film holders. The camera is in exceptionally good condition. The bellows look excellent. The outer pebbled leather is in good condition with some wear especially on the bottom. The shutter and aperture work well. The lens is scratch free and clear. The bulb trigger on the shutter does not appear to work or I may not be using it correctly. The wood on the drop plate is very good with a few minor nicks. It looks like the viewer might have been moved because there are two nail or screw holes behind it. The lens appears to be rotated slightly. There are a few nicks in the wood above the "Pony Premo No.3" tag. The brass and chrome are in excellent condition. The case is intact but has significant wear. The film holders are in good condition but only one is complete. I bought the Pony Premo No. 3 and several other cameras in La Mesa, CA from a ad on Craigslist on 10-6-09. The ad listed it for $85. Another ad for a Eastman Kodak No. 2A Folding Hawk-Eye Model B folding camera from the same seller was listed for $75. I purchased these two cameras and five others for a total of $120. The other cameras were an 8mm Bell & Howell Model 172 movie camera, an 16mm Revere Model 16 movie camera, an Agfa Ansco No. 1A Readset Royal folding camera, a Rekkord folding camera, and a Polaroid SX-70 (no view through viewfinder).
	No. 1A Folding Pocket Kodak, Model D, (large image, profile) 1910-1915 according to Kodak History. That site lists the original list price as $12, about $240 in 2006 dollars. An eBay auction ending 5-21-06 states Kodak changed to black bellows after 1912. If correct, then this camera dates from 1910 to 1912. Mine has an earlier seriel no. than the red bellows camera on eBay. Mine is No. 150093 while the eBay camera has a seriel no. of 154931. There were four models of the No. 1A Folding Pocket Kodak produced from 1899 to 1915. This Model D, with a metal lens mount, is the last of the four models. Oz Camera has an excellent description of the Model D. Models A-C are pictured at stronghorses.com. See also BoxCameras.com, George Eastman House, nwmangum.com. Closed dimensions of about 7.5" x 4" x 1.75". The thickness of 1.75" goes out to about 6" when the bellows are extended. My camera was purchased for $10 at a garage sale in the San Carlos area of San Diego on 5-20-06. Seriel No.150093. It is in very good working and cosmetic condition with the leather intact, no holes in the bellows and a working shutter. I'm not sure how to open up the film chamber and do not want to force it. A fellow shopper indicated he had the same or very similar camera as a child. It may be my oldest camera and probably one of the coolest!
	Autographic 2C Jr., 1916-1927 according to Kodak History. That site lists the original list price as $27 while George Eastman House indicates prices ranged from $9 to $16 depending on the type of lens and date of purchase. (See also The Kodak Collector's Page.) It apparently came with several different lenses over the years. (See Brownie Camera Page.) The Eastman site indicates 130,000 were sold before 1921, which according to The Kodak Collector's Page is why these old cameras sell for relatively modest prices today. The manual for the similar Autographic 1A Junior is available at butkus.org. A picture of a similar 3A Autographic with the cover of the 1916 Kodak catalog is at Manuals2Go. A nice image and description from the 1923 Kodak Catalog is at www.bouletfermat.com/photography. The French site mgroleau.com/photo/collection.html has numerous photos of the larger, but otherwise identical, Autographic 3A Junior. The Kodak ball bearing shutter has shutter speeds of 25, 50 and 100 plus B and T. Apertures are set by a sliding ring on the bottom of the lens assembly with the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Photoethnography states the apertures were f7.7, 11, 16, 22, 32 and 45 although this may be for a different lens. Focusing is done by sliding the bellows to the appropriate point indicated on the distance scale. Autographic models allowed you to write a small note on the film by opening a small window on the back of the camera. The note would show up on the negative and the print. They used special Autographic film, the 2C taking A130 film with an image size of 2 7/8" by 4 7/8", larger than 120 film. The film and Autographic process are explained well at Scott's Photographica Collection. It is a large camera with unfolded dimensions of about 7.5 x 9 x 4.5 inches. (profile) The front folds up reducing the 7.5 inches to about 1.75 inches for relatively easy carrying. (Camera being held.) The camera is in great working and consmetic condition. The camera is a greatly appreciated donation from a donor in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The camera belonged to the donor's father. The camera comes with the original box, a closeup filter in a yellow Kodak case, the stylus for writing on the film, and a shutter release. The box has a small portion of a mailing label still attached which appears to indicate it was shipped from Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York where the cameras were made.
	Kodak Vigilant Six 20, folding 6 x 9 cm camera using 620 roll film. According to the Bill Strong Vintage Camera site, there were three versions of the Vigilant Six 20 sold from 1939 to 1949. Mine appears to be the later of the three with a Flash Dakon shutter made in 1947-1949. Mine says it was made in the U.S. It has a Kodak Anasten 105mm, f6.3-32 lens. Shutter speeds are T, B, 1/25, 1/50 and 1/100 second. It has an adjustable focus from 3.5 feet to infinity. You have to estimate the distance. My camera is in reasonably good condition with a working shutter and intact bellows. The film advance knob is missing, however. Purchased at a La Mesa garage sale for less than $2 on October 8, 2005. The manual is available at Butkas.org.
	Kodak Vigilant Six 20, this one has the better lens and shutter of the several combinations made - a No. 1 Supermatic shutter with a Kodak Anastigmat Special 101mm f4.5 to f32 lens. Focusing to 3.5 feet. Shutter speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/200. The original list price was $38 equal to nearly $600 in 2008 dollars. Appears to be in good working condition. Comes with a leather case in good condition but with considerable greenish colored corrosion around the button snaps. Purchased as part of a lot of several cameras (Minolta XG-1, Argus C-4, Canon T50, a 5x7 view camera, another folder), dozens of filters, and assorted other camera and miscellaneous "stuff" for $40 at a San Carlos area of San Diego garage sale on December 6, 2008. I have purchased from the same gentleman before whose interests include photography, astronomy and electronics. Several sites have excellent information on the Vigilant Six 20 including: Mike Connealy Photography - Vintage Photography, Matt's Classic Cameras and Camerapedia.
	Kodak Brownie Flash Six-20 (Large) According to the Brownie Camera Page sold from July 1946 to January 1955. Uses 620 film which was introduced by Kodak in 1932 and discontinued in 1995. 620 film is the same size as 120 film but uses a thinner spool. Since 620 film is no longer made, you can load in complete darkness 120 film onto a 620 film spool. See, e.g., History of Kodak Roll Film Numbers. The name "Flash Six-20" emphasizes that the camera had an accessory flash and used 620 film. The flash holder can be seen at Brownie Flash Six-20. My camera did not come with the flash holder, but it looked so neat that I bought one on eBay on 7-5-08 in near new condition in the original box for $10 (Buy It Now) plus $6.80 shipping. The two projections above each side of the lens is what the flash mounts on. The flash holders appear to be relatively common on eBay. The bulbs appear to be more difficult to find, however. This camera is essentially the same as the Six-20 Flash Brownie made from 1940 to 1946. Frame size is 6x9cm with 8 photos per roll. Single shutter speed with B. Single aperture. Fixed focus for beyond ten feet with a supplementary lens rotating in front of the main lens for 5 to 10 feet. Focal length looks to be about 95mm. The little thing that comes out on the winder side of the camera is to level the camera for portraits according to Junk Store Cameras. The camera appears to have a curved focal plane. It also comes with a tripod mount. Mine was purchased as part of a collection of 35+ vintage consumer cameras for about $200 from an ad on Craigslist on 6-27-08 in Oceanside, CA. It is in very good cosmetic and working condition.
	Kodak Reflex (1946-1949) See www.nwmangum.com - Kodak Reflex for dates and price. 80mm f3.5 Kodak Anastigmat taking lens. Flash Kodamatic Shutter 1/2 to 1/200 with B and T. Original price $100 - that's over $1,100 in 2008 dollars! Tripod mount. Remote shutter release. Excellent information at Kodak Reflex. You cock the shutter by first moving the shutter release up. You press down to release the shutter. The holes on the side opposite the winding knob are for the flash. Unfortuanately, it uses 620 film which is no longer available. Glenn E. Steward give excellent illustrated instructions on "Respooling 120 film onto 620 spools for use in older cameras." 6x6cm (2.25" x 2.25") frame. A nice entry level true twin lens reflex camera made in the USA. See generally, Rick Olsen, The American TLR - The Best and the Rest. The manual for the later, but similar, Kodak Reflex II is at Kodak Reflex II Manual - http://www.michaelbutkus.com. Mine was purchased as part of a collection of 35+ vintage consumer cameras for about $200 from an ad on Craigslist on 6-27-08 in Oceanside, CA. It is in very good cosmetic and working condition.
	Kodak Flash Bantam (1947-1953) (Large Image) Uses Kodak 828 film which is no longer made. Kodak introduced 820 film as a way to make a slightly larger frame size out of 35mm film. With 35mm film useable film area is lost due to the sprocket holes on both edges of the film. With 828 film there is only one sprocket hole for each frame for automatic frame advance. The film is backed with paper like with 120 film. 828 film came in only 8 exposure rolls. The resulting frame size was 28mm x 40mm for a total of 1,120 square mm compared to a 35mm frame size of 24mm x 36mm for a total of 864 square mm. The difference of 256mm results in a 29.6% (256/864) increase in frame area for 828 film compared to 35mm film. The paper backing allowed for a green window in the back to tell what exposure you were on. While the larger frame size makes technical sense, it also probably represents a marketing strategy by Kodak as was its change from 120 film to 620 film in cameras such as the Kodak Reflex above. According to Kodak Bantam Special 828 film never really caught on. The last Bantam camera was introduced in 1957 and Kodak ceased production of 828 film in the mid 1970s. The same concept of not wasting 35mm film area with sprocket holes, however, was also seen in Kodak 126 Instamatic film which introduced in the early 1960s and remained popular through much of the 1970s. It likewise has one hole per frame, is paper backed and is 28mm wide. It has a square format and therefore has a frame area of 28mm x 28mm (784 square mm), somewhat less than both 35mm film and 828 film.
The camera is quite compact when folded with dimensions of about 12cm wide x 6cm tall x 4cm deep. Kodak Anastigmat Special 48mm f4.5 lens. Shutter speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200 plus B and T. The viewfinder pops up. The camera unfolds by the button by the winding knob. The shutter is cocked by a switch just in front of the right side of the folding cross bar. Focusing from 2.5 feet or less to infinity by estimation. Mine appears to be in good working and cosmetic condition. The film wind seems stiff. While film is no longer available, you can respool your own as described in detail at Kodak Cameras - 828 Film. The camera's price in the 1949 Montgomery Ward Photographic Catalog was $57.72, equal to $530 in 2008 dollars. The case was an additional $5.50. Mine was purchased with the case as part of a collection of 35+ vintage consumer cameras for about $200 from an ad on Craigslist on 6-27-08 in Oceanside, CA. Conclusion: a very cool and compact camera which in its day could take some pretty nice photos.
Brownie Model 2A, according to Kodak History site sold from 1907 to 1924 at a price of $3.00 (about $33 to $44 today). I have two. Both work, although I can't get the back off of one of them. Uses 116 film.	Brownie Hawkeye Flash Model, according to the Brownie Hawkeye Page sold from September 1950 to July 1961 for $7. It uses 620 film with a negative size of 2 1/4" by 2 1/4". It is a twin lens, fixed focus camera with apparently a single shutter speed and aperture. Mine was purchased on E-bay in 2004. It is in fair condition with a maybe some fungus on the back of the lens and on the focusing screen. There is an excellent discussion of it at David Photographic.
Brownie Starflex, according to the Brown Site Starflex Page, the Starflex was introduced March 1957 (just two months before Mr. Martin was instroduced to the world) and continued to September 1964. The original price was $10. It takes 127 roll film with a negative size of 1 5/8" by 1 5/8". It has a fixed focus lens of 5 feet and beyond. It has two lens openings, one for color film and one for black and white. It has a single shutter speed. The Brownie Site has extensive information about all Kodak Brownie cameras. The site has a April 15, 1957 Life Magazine ad and a 1960 ad featuring this camera. My Starflex is in very good condition and includes a flash attachment and manual. The manual is also available at the Brownie Site - Manuals.	Brownie Super 27, according to the Brownie Site, the Brownie Super 27 was sold from August 1961 to June 1965. It used 127 film with a relatively small frame size of 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 inches. It has two shutter speeds, labeled sunny and cloudy bright, and a f8 lens. You can switch between two focusing ranges, close-up (less than 6 feet) and beyond six feet. It has a unique door which opens to reveal a flash holder. The original price was $19. To me it looks like a big instamatic, and indeed just two years after introduction of the Super 27 Kodak introduced the 126 Instamatic cameras. Click Super 27 Ad at the Brownie site. Continue forwarding at that site and you will see that this camera indeed was a harbinger of the 126 Instamatic. This blast from the past was a generous donation from a student. Thanks! The shutter fires and it is in good condition. There is some evidence of past leakage in the battery compartment.
Brownie Starmite, according to the Brownie Site the Brownie Starmite was manufactured from April 1960 to June 1963. It used 127 film with a frame size of 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 inches. It has fixed focus, f11 lens, with a single shutter speed. It originally sold for $10.50. This camera is in good condition. It was a generous donation from a student - his mom's first camera! Thanks! See a Starmite ad at the Brownie Site.	Duaflex IV, according to the Kodak History Site sold from 1955 to 1960 at a price of $24.50. ($185 in 2005 dollars!) There were two versions, one with a Kodar f8 72mm lens with zone focusing to 3.5 feet (mine), and one with fixed focus (to 5 feet) Kodet f15 lens. (Variations of the Kodak Duaflex IV.) The manual for the fixed focus Kodet lens camera is available in pdf format at www.mikebutkus.com. The Kodar zone focusing lens has marks for close up, groups and scenes although you can set the focus before, after or between these marks. It has three lens openings: f8 (hazy sun), f11 (bright sun) and f16 (bright sun, snow or sand). It uses Kodak 620 film. Currently available 120 film can be re-wound onto 620 spools and used. (tanyaclark.com.) It has twin lens reflex viewing, but not focusing. It apparently has a single shutter speed. There is no meter. Mine is in very good working and cosmetic condition. It still has film in it. It was purchased on July 16, 2005 for about $10 at an estate sale. See also Kodak Brownies at UCR (has a great gallery of advertisements of Kodak cameras). Additional photos: Front, Back, Side, Other Side, Viewfinder.
Kodak Instant Cameras. Kodak produced 26 instant print cameras from 1976 to 1986. The Land List - Non-Polaroid Instant Cameras discusses numerous manufacturers other than Polaroid that made instant print cameras, some compatible with Polaroid and some which were not compatible like the Kodak system. Polaroid brought litigation against Kodak in 1976 for patent infringement. This litigation went on for nearly a decade with the court deciding in 1986 that Kodak had infringed certain patents. Sale of Kodak instant cameras and film therefore ceased in 1986. www.patents.com has the decision of a later case for damages which explains the prior litigation finding the patent infringement. The damages case was eventually settled for over $900,000,000, making the case one of the largest patent infringement cases ever. There were also class action lawsuits on behalf of consumers who now had cameras they could no longer use since film was not available. To participate in the settlement of these class actions consumers had to mail the nameplate on the front of the camera back. www.ozcamera.com describes this process and indicates that since so many of the cameras were sold they do not have significant collector value. The ones with the name plate have a higher, although still low, value.
Kodak EK6, produced from 1976 to 1978 at a price of $69.50 (about $240 today) according to Kodak History. My camera does not have the name plate. In the box is the Settlement notice in the June 19, 1988 Parade Magazine with a handwritten note that the owner submitted the claim on 7/16/88. Good cosmetic condition. It still has PR144-10 film in it although I exposed at least one frame taking it out. Higher ISO film was used later but in the same type of pack. The Kodamatic cameras could therefore still use this film by moving the camera lighten/darken control to its full lighten position as explained on the film pack. My camera had two 6 volt 7k67 alkaline batteries which showed significant corrosion and leakage some of which remains in the battery compartment. Two mirrors in the film chamber increase the light path allowing a long focal length in a more compact camera. I purchased my camera at a garage/estate sale as part of a lot of several items for $5. The camera came with the box and manual.	Kodak Handle 2, produced from 1979 to 1981 at a price of $35 according to Kodak History. Also known as the EK-22. Curriously, might has a label on the box Which put an EK-21 sticker over the EK-22 sticker. Made in Rochester, New York. Uses a 6 volt size J rectangular battery. It is in excellent, near new, cosmetic condition and comes with the orginal box and intructions. It was purchased at a garge sale in 2006 for, as I recall, a $1 or $2. It had the battery with some very slight corrosion at the - terminal. The battery compartment is clean. The shutter does not operate, but it may need a battery or the PR10 film pack inserted.
Pentax
	Asahi Pentax 6x7 (1969-1988) (Large Image) The largest member of the Pentax family, the Pentax 6x7 uses either 120 or 220 roll film and produces 6cm x 7cm images. Unlike most medium format cameras, it looks and feels like a big 35mm SLR camera. It does not have interchangeable backs, but there is a switch for it to take either 120 roll film with a backing and delivering 10 exposures or 220 roll film without a backing and delivering 20 photos. In this "Pentax Family Photo" you can think of the 6x7 as the Dad, the 35mm SLR Spotmatic SPII as the Mom, and the Pentax Auto 110 as the baby. The Dad delivers 60mm x 70mm negatives with an area of 4200 square mm. The Mom delivers negatives of 24mm x 36mm with an area of 864 square mm. The baby delivers 17mm x 13mm negatives with an area equal to 221 square mm. The 6x7 therefore has a negative area 4.86 times larger than a 35mm camera and 19 times larger than the a 110 camera. One 6x7 negative has about as much area, and hence information, as an entire 20 exposure roll of 110 film. The large negative size is why a medium format camera was just right for discriminating photographers.
The Pentax 6x7 had a long run of twenty years. It was introduced in 1969. The newer Pentax 67, sporting an electronically controlled shutter, was not introduced until 1989. Finally, the Pentax 67 II was introduced in 1998 with matrix metering and autoexposure. All Pentax lenses for the 6 x 7 format can be used on any of the three models. Pentax also offered a medium format camera with a 6cm x 4.5cm format. Since it is like a large 35mm SLR the Pentax 6x7 has a much different look and feel compared to the typical medium format SLR camera such as a Hasselblad or Mamiya RB-67. It also has a focal plane shutter and hence has a flash synch of only 1/30 of a second. Film loading is also slow compared to cameras with interchangeable backs. Cameras like a Hasselblad or Mamiya RB-67 have, therefore, typically been favored by portrait and wedding photographers. The Pentax 6x7 is a favorite of many nature photographers, however. My Pentax 6x7 was purchased at a La Mesa, CA garage sale around April 2008. It belonged to the seller's father. He lead nature workshops and was a semi-professional nature photographer with photos published in Arizona Highways Magazine and other publications. The seller and her husband had just sold their house and were moving to Oregon. I had bought a couple of old photography books and an A-16 tent at the sale. Knowing of the photography books, I asked if there were any cameras. It was then that the seller brought out the Pentax "Professional Trunk Case" with the camera including the wooden handle, a Super-Takumar 105mm f2.4 lens, and the metered prism. Also in the case were four additional Super-Takumar lenses: a wide angle 55mm f3.5, a 135mm f4 macro, a 165mm f2.8 and a 200mm f4. (Photo.net has an article on Equivalent Lens Focal Lengths For Different Film Sizes.) Also included were a Pentax R2 red filter, a Pentax 056(2) orange filter, and a Promaster Polarizing filter (all in 67mm diameter). There are three Pentax lens cases. (Case Open.) Everything is in great condition. The husband and wife I think could sense my joy. I told them about my long interest in photography, my collection and my online camera museum. I told them I could pay $300 with a trip to the ATM or we both could think about it further. She accepted the $300 knowing it would go to a good home. I use to pour over the pages of a Pentax 6x7 booklet which I got at a library book sale maybe 15 to 20 years ago. I still have the booklet. It took the digital revolution to make the actual cameras and lenses affordable. I haven't had time to do this Web site entry and start learning about the camera until the summer. This wonderful camera system is still a very useful tool even in this digital age. Even without the great deal I got, these cameras today are much more affordable than when new. They produce a very large negative which can produce a larger digital image when scanned than any of the digital 35mm full frame SLRs today. Further, while there are medium format cameras today with digital backs, the cameras and backs are very expensive. The Pentax lenses are known for exceptional quality. 120 film and processing is also still widely available. Black and white processing of the film can be done at home with no darkroom. (See the following photo.net discussions: Processing 120 film compared to 35mm, B&W 120 film developing, 120 film on it's way out?, New To B/W Processing-How Practical?, How to develop 120 B&W film?. Processing 35mm and 120 film and The Black and White Darkroom have tutorials on film loading and processing.) Also, I have an Epson 3170 scanner that scans medium format images. ($5 in near new condition at a La Mesa garage sale in 2007.) Therefore, I can scan the photos and publish online or print without a darkroom. The full manual is available on the Internet at butkus.org. Photoethnography has an excellent article about the Pentax 6x7 system including "Myths and Truths."
Polaroid Instant Print Cameras
Roll Film Cameras
	Polaroid Land Camera 800 (1957-1962) (Large Image, Closed) Dates from Wikipedia - Land Camera. According to the The Land List, the original retail price was $126. $126 in 1957 has the same buying power as $970 in 2009. The Land List estimates production at 525,000 to 650,000 cameras. Like other Polaroid cameras at the time, it was a folding camera. Once unfolded, you focused with the big knob on the bottom of the camera (on the front when closed). You focused with a rangefinder which gave a reasonably large and bright magnified view. There is a separate framing window. According to The Land List, it used roll film in the type 40 series. Each roll gave 8 photos. The image size for a photo was 2 7/8" x 3 3/4" (7.2 x 9.5 cm). Film was relatively expensive. For example, type 42 film which was Polaroid's first panchromatic film, produced from 1955 to 1992, sold initially for $1.98 per roll or about 25 cents a photo. (The Land List.) 25 cents in 1955 has the same buying power as about $2 in 2009 (or a factor of 8). Color Polaroid roll film was not introduced until 1963 and was considerably more expensive. Type 48 color film which was produced from 1963 to 1976 produced only six prints and originally sold for $3.55 or more than 59 cents a print. 59 cents in 1963 has the same buying power as $4.17 in 2009. It is a large camera. Folded it is about 10 inches wide by 6 inches high by 2 inches deep (the focusing knob adds another 3/8 inch or so). The depth increases to about 8 inches when unfolded. Mine appears to be in very good cosmetic condition. The shutter fires. The lens is clear. The rangefinder works. They do not make film any longer for these cameras. Some people convert them to use 120 roll film, however. Mine came with a flash, an electronic flash, close-up lenses, a light meter, the owner's manual and a large case. I purchased it at a garage/estate sale in Spring Valley, CA (near Casa de Oro) on December 26, 2009 for about $10 to $15. (Originally, the seller and I allocated $15 to the Polaroid 800, but then discounted things because I bought several photo items.)
Pack Film Cameras
Polaroid 230, produced 1967-69. Original price was $99.95. See the Land List for specifications. This was a donation by an OLG family that retrieved it from a free garage "sale" in Coronado. Thanks - a cool looking vintage camera. It appears to be in generally good condition except the battery has leaked.	Polaroid Big Swinger 3000, produced 1968-1970. Original price was $24.95. Simple fixed focus, one element lens, focal length 114mm. Used 3000 ISO black and white film only. Two AA batteries - I'm not sure whether for yes/no exposure system, or for built-in flash socket for AG-1 bulbs. Click for site with specifications. From what I can tell without film, this one is in good working condition. Acquired on E-bay on August 3, 2004 for $5 with a Kodak Brownie 2A and Kodak Instamatic 314. No shipping charge since local pickup.
	Polaroid Land Camera 360 Electronic Flash (1969-1971) According to Jim's Polaroids originally sold for $199.95. $199.95 in 1969 is equal to about $1,160 in 2008, reminding us of the high inflation in the 1970s. It was therefore an expensive camera at the time. Jim's Polaroids indicates the shutter speeds were from 1/2000 to 10 seconds. Three element glass lens with apertures of f/8.8, f/12.5, f/17.5, f/25, f/35, f/42. I estimate the lens has a focal length of 125mm. Zeiss Ikon range and viewfinder, made in West Germany. ASA (ISO) speed film of 75, 150, 300 and 3000. Takes two No. 532 3.0v volt batteries. (I don't know where the battery compartment is.) The Land List estimates production of 250,000 to 500,000 cameras. Comes with electronic flash with internal rechargeable NiCad batteries which are recharged with the included charger. The batteries no longer hold a charge. The Land List has instructions for replacing the rechargeable battery for those with sufficient experience. (All electronic flashes carry a risk of electric shock.) According to The Land List the flash couples with the focusing mechanism to provide correct flash exposure. According to savepolaroid.com, the 360 was the first Polaroid model with an integrated circuit. I purchased mine with flash, recharger, close-up lens kit, and case to hold it all in for $4 at a San Carlos/Del Cerro area of San Diego garage sale on 1-10-09. It is in good cosmetic condition. I don't know where to put batteries in so I don't know if the camera fully works. It opens, the rangefinder works, and the shutter appears to work.
SX-70 Film Cameras
	Polaroid SX-70 Deluxe Chrome Model (1974) (Large Image) the original chrome model of the SX-70. The SX-70 was sold from 1972 to 1977. It is recognized for its unique design and reflex viewing system. It was the first Polaroid that you did not have to peel off the top of the photo. The SX-70 still commands relatively high prices on eBay. This was purchased at a garage sale in the San Carlos area of San Diego around May 2007 for $8 with leatherette case. A great deal! It seems to be in great shape, but I haven't tested it with film. It came with a brochure that described three SX-70 models: this original chrome model ($194.95), a model with white trim and artificial leather looking similar to the SX-70 below ($149.95), and a new model with black trim and non-reflex viewing where you estimate the focusing distance ($99.95). The two reflex models are light weight (24 ounces) and compact (1" x 4" x 7" folded). Close focus is only 10.4" or 5" with an optional attachment. The unique reflex viewing system, illustrated in a page from the brochure, is bright and clear. The Polaroid Web site has a user guide. A problem today is that Polaroid ceased production of SX-70 film in 2006. Polaroid explains that 600 film can be used by removing the two center nubs on the bottom of the 600 film pack, removing the neutral density filter in front of the exposure meter window, putting a 1 stop neutral density filter in front of the lens, and adjusting the exposure control button on the camera. The adjustments are needed because 600 film is 4 times more sensitive or faster than SX-70 film. Found Photography has detailed instructions with images for modifying an SX-70 to use 600 film. It also shows how SX-70 camera opens and closes. Today there is also a SX-70 blend film available as explained at The Hacker's Guide to the SX-70, which also has a lot of other information including how to disassemble an SX-70. Lord of the Lens sells the new film for $40 for 20 shots. That's pretty expensive, but 600 film itself is usually about $1 per shot. That's a problem I always had with Polaroid - the film is very expensive. The Land List - Serial Number Calculator is an interesting page where you enter the serial number and it tells you the date your SX-70 was made as well as other information. Mine was made 4-12-74 during the B shift. It has the original SX-70 shutter electronic design ("hybrid shutter"). It is probably an original SX-70 or Alpha / Alpha 1. Very cool site! Other sites of interest include: Wikipedia, Land List, photoethnography.com, PC World - 50 Greatest Gagets SX-70 is #8 (Dec. 24, 2005), SX-70 Blog, camerapedia, SX-70 Family, Arthur's SX-70 Resources.
Polaroid SX-70, Polaroid instant photographs develop before your eyes. This unique camera from the 1970s has true single lens reflex viewing, although a different design than than 35mm SLRs. It folds down into a fairly thin package and is covered in leather. Very stylish! Purchased with the flash for $2.00 at a neighborhood garage sale. Appears to be in good condition, but I have not tested it with film. Comes with case. SX-70 cameras are still used today by artists. The SX-70 film takes a while to become fixed. Artist rub the clear coating above the emulsion to smear the emulsion and create interesting effects.	Polaroid SX-70 Camera with Attached ITT Electronic Flash.According to The Land List, it has a four element 116mm, f8 to 22 glass lens, with an electronic shutter with speeds from 10 seconds to 1/175sec. The smaller apertures are used with the flash. Auto flash exposure based on focusing distance. New price for "Alpha SX-70" with leather trim in 1978-79 Sears Camera Catalog was $154.50, over $450 in 2005 dollars. An ever-ready case sold for $7.99. Similar flashes sold for $24.50.
	Polaroid One Step, from 1977, the One-Step is in the same family as the SX-70 using SX-70 film. It was much less expensive and had many fewer features, however. It has a solid, instead of folding, body, with a simple direct viewfinder. According to The Land List, it has a single element 103mm f14.6 plastic, fixed focus, lens. Also according to that site, it has an electronic shutter with programmed auto exposure. A flash bar with ten flashes can be inserted on the top. The suggested retail price was $39.95, about $128 in 2005 dollars. Mine was purchased at a garage sale on July 3, 2005 for $5 with a Kodak Instamatic 304. Both cameras came with cases. It is in very good cosmetic condition. I have not tested it with film. The film pack includes the battery which would be necessary to test the shutter.
600 Film Cameras
Polaroid Sun 660, introduced in 1981 selling for $95. It has sonar focusing, unique to Polaroid. It uses Poloroid 600 film which is different than SX-70 film. See Land List for more information. This was a generous donation by a student. Thanks for the cool sonar focusing camera!	Polaroid Impulse, apparently produced around 1988, the Impulse also takes Poloroid 600 film. This date is from the Professional Resume of John Betts who apparently designed the Impulse, or the the Impulse Autofocus, for which he received an award. He now sells fine minerals. According to the Land List site, the original retail price for the Impact was $89 (about $140 in 2004 dollars). The Land List site says it is fixed focus, but the camera has a button for two focusing zones, 2-4 feet and 4 feet to infinity. These might be for the built in flash, however. The on/off button is the built in flash. Turning it on causes the flash to pop up and the built-in lens cover to open. My camera is in excellent cosmetic condition. The camera has an empty film pack inside and appears to fire properly. I have not tested it with film, however.
Rolfix
	Franka Rolfix II (Large Image, Back View.) 1951-1957. Folding camera. "Made in Germany US Zone." Made by Franka Werke in Bavaria. See Franka Rolfix 6x9cm Folder Camera. 6cm x 9cm format using 120 film. There were three models: Rolfix, Rolfix II, and Rolfix Jr. The Rolfix II was the best of these three. Mine has a quality Synchro-Compur shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/500 seconds combined with a quality Rodenstock-Trinar, 105mm, f3.5 lens. (Closeup of lens.) Viewing is through a simple collapsible viewfinder on top of the camera. Focusing is achieved by moving a ring in front. You have to estimate the distance. These were sold through Montgomery Ward stores in the United States. The 1957 Wards Camera Catalog at page 40 lists the price of a Rolfix II as $34.47 which was a $8 cut from 1956. I assume it may have been a clearance since it was the last year it was sold. The "Leather Everyready Case" was $4.75. The 1956 price of $42.47 is about $325 in 2007 dollars! Mine was purchased at a San Carlos area of San Diego garage sale for $15 on 10-13-07 just a few blocks from my house. The seller acquired it as a present from his parents as a child. It is in good working and cosmetic condition. Comes with the every ready leather case and two filters. It still has film in it only on exposure 2. Since it uses 120 film, it is still a useable camera today. Good information at Alt-Toy and Vintage Camera (note the Rolfix II there differs in several ways from mine. I assume mine is older.) Camerapedia has extensive information on Franka Werke including a list with photos of its many camera models over the years. Owner's manual for all three Rolfix cameras is at www.butkus.org.
Rollei
	Rolleiflex Automat K4 (1949-1951) 6cm x 6cm twin lens reflex camera with Rolleikin back and insert to use 35mm film. Rolleiflex is the classic German twin lens reflex camera. Depending on the lens, some are sold for hundreds of dollars today. Generally the cameras with the f2.8 lenses go for much more than the cameras with the f3.5 lenses, although I believe all the Rolleiflex cameras have a reputation for excellent photographic quality. In addition to the Rolleiflex cameras, Rollei also made the less expensive, consumer oriented Rolleicord cameras. While still fine cameras, they lacked features such as the rapid wind crank. Rolleiclub is an excellent site with a comprehensive description of all of the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord cameras. In addition to twin lens reflex cameras, Rollei also made 35mm SLR, 126, 110, and medium form SLR cameras. I also acquired in 2008 a Rollei enlarger for free on Craigslist. Instructions on use of the Rolleikin 35mm film adapter are at F. and S. Marriott Cameras. The instructions for the camera (or another similar Automat) are at butkus.org. Manufactured from October 1949 to May 1951 with serial numbers 1.100.000 to 1.168.000 according to Rolleiclub. Mine is serial number 1150810 falling within the range above. The dual film back was an option. The later Automat K4A came with the dual film back. The taking lens is a 7.5cm (75mm) Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f3.5, serial number 3313209. F-stops from f3.5 to f22. Compur Rapid shutter with speeds from 1/500 second to 1 second plus bulb. Self timer. Made by Franke & Heidecke, Braunschwig, Germany. Comes with a cool mirrored twin folding lens caps, and leather case. The price for the similar, but later, Rolleiflex Automat with Zeiss Tessar f3.5 lens was $249.50 in the 1955 Sears Camera Catalog. Adjusted for inflation, that's equal to $1,977.61 in 2008 dollars. The same camera with a f3.5 Schneider Xenar lens was slightly less at $234.50. The Rolleiflex with a 2.8 lens was $299.50. The Rolleicord IV was only $149.50. The Rolleikin II 35mm Adapter was $35.78. Purchased on 2-6-09 from an ad on Craigslist in the Pacific Beach/Mt. Soledad area of San Diego for $100, the asking price. The seller said it had belonged to his father. Shutter, aperture, focusing, and self timer all appear to work. The shutter speeds vary as they should although I have not tested the precise timing. The taking lens appears to be clear with no scratches or fungus. The viewing lens, which is not marked with the lens information, has some internal fungus on the edge. Looking into the viewing lens reveals that the mirror has significant areas where the silver covering has come off. The image through the viewfinder is still reasonably bright, however. The focusing screen appears to be in decent condition. It has a 9 rectangle grid pattern. The surface of the brown leather case is in decent condition, although the stitching on one side of the back has come completely apart. It also has a slight musty smell. The function and use of the camera is very similar to my two Yashica Mat cameras. The Yashica Mat 635, which I do not have, has a similar 35mm film adapter. Additional Images: Top, Case, Back, Back Open, Back and Bottom While Open, Front View with Top Closed.
Seroco
	Seroco (Large, Close) large format (I believe 5" x 7") drop view camera. Seroco was an acronym for the familiar Sears, Roebuck and Company. Sears sold several different models under the Seroco name. The cameras were actually made by other companies such as Conley or Rochester Optical. (See photo.net and The Pentax Collector's Page.) The camera is from the early 20th century, perhaps as early as 1901. (See Seroco Folding Camera.) Cameras like this were known as cycle cameras. At the time bicycling was still big and these cameras folded to a relatively small size so you could take them on a bicycle trip. (See Antique and Classic Camera Home Page.) Other examples of this type of drop bed view camera are at cwiley.com. The folded size of this camera is about 8.5" x 9" x 4". Bausch and Lomb Optical Company is written on the metal under the lens. Shutter speeds are listed as T, B, 100, 25, 5, 2, 1. Curiously, intermediary speeds like 50 are not listed. The apertures are listed as 8, 16, 32, 64, 128. While the maximum aperture listed is f8, the lens opens up wider than this setting. The lens is clear. The shutter and aperture work. The shutter does not seem accurate to me, however. For example, one second appears to be much shorter than one second. The outer covering is pebbled leather (I assume). It is in good condition. The bellows are largely intact, but there are some holes. The ground viewing glass is in reasonably good condition and you can see the image. The glass has some chips at the edges, however, unless it was made that way. You did not have to use the viewing glass. There was also a separate viewer on the bed which is missing on my camera. The wood is generally in very good condition. I believe there may have also been a handle on the side which is now missing. While these types of cameras are apparently not particularly valuable (Antique and Classic Camera Home Page), it is a gorgeous camera with beautiful wood, metal and leather. I purchased this on eBay in 2006 for about $65 as I recall.
Univex
	Univex Iris (Large Image) (circa 1938) Date from Junk Store Cameras. Made by Universal Camera Corp. Described in an eBay listing as model C-79. Takes unique Univex No. 00 Ultrapan or Ultrachrome film. Each roll took six exposures. It had a paper backing and there is a green exposure count window in the back of the camera. The film is, of course, no longer made. As described at Junk Store Cameras you could try and fashion your own from modern 120 film. The frame size is about 30mm x 40mm and therefore is close to the size of Kodak 828 film. (See discussion of Kodak Bantam above.) The frame is therefore somewhat greater than that for 35mm film. It has a fixed focus 50mm f7.9 Ilex Vitar lens. (According to an eBay listing, it is an Ilex TBI shutter and Ilex lens.) Shutter speeds are T, B and I. According to the manual at Butkus.org the "I" speed is for snapshots and is about 1/25 of a second. Apertures are f7.9, f11, f16, f22. Retractable lens which you have to remember to pull out before shooting. (Photo shows it pulled out.) Tripod mount and cable release socket. Heavy, cast metal construction. It's somewhat larger than a Kodak Bantam. Cool art deco design. Mine was purchased as part of a collection of 35+ vintage consumer cameras for about $200 from an ad on Craigslist on 6-27-08 in Oceanside, CA. It is in good working and cosmetic condition. I have not tried it with film and don't think I have the patience to ever try it with film!
Yashica
	Yashica-Mat LM (1958-1962) Twin lens reflex camera made in Japan. Uses 120 roll film producing 6cm x 6cm (2.25" x 2.25") negatives (actual size 5.5cm x 5.5cm). The taking lens is a Yashinon 80mm f3.5. The viewing lens is a Yashinon 80mm f3.2. Yashinon lenses are quality 4 element lenses. Copal-MXV shutter. Shutter speeds of 1/500 second to 1 second. The shutter speeds are set by turning a knob between the taking and viewing lenses with your right hand. The aperture is set by turning a similar knob between the taking and viewing lenses with the left hand. The aperture and shutter speed are shown in a small window immediately above the taking lens. You focus using your left hand using the large knob on the left side (looking down on top of camera) of the camera. That knob also has a depth of field scale. You advance the film with your right hand using the crank on the right side of the camera. You fire the shutter release immediately below the taking lens on the right with your right hand. One turn of the crank also cocks the shutter. You lift the hood up to view and focus the image on the ground glass. The glass has 5x5 grid lines. You can put your eye up to the pop up magnifier for detailed viewing and focusing. Finally, for quick shots, you can look through the sports view finder. The LM stands for "Light Meter." The Selenium light meter is immediately below the Yashica-Mat name. The needle points to an Exposure Value (EV). You then use the exposure scale on the focusing knob. After setting the ASA to the ASA of the film, you match the EV number with the red dot on the outside ring. Shutter and aperture combinations for correct exposure are then shown. It's cumbersome, but is relatively easy and logical once you get the hang of it. You open the camera to load the 120 film using the latch on the bottom. The instruction manual is available at kyphoto.com. Mine was purchased in November 2008 for $100 with three other cameras and two large cases. This was the most valuable of the cameras. It is in good cosmetic and operating condition. The shutter and aperture both appear to work well. The meter works, although I think it may be reading a stop over-exposure. I will probably use a hand meter instead. It comes with a nice leather case in good condition. Truly a classic twin lens reflex patterned after the German Rolleiflex cameras. Even the lens cap is cool. It is a hinged, metal, one piece design covering both the taking and viewing lenses. According to photoethnography.com Yashica began making cameras in 1957. It is noted for its Yashica-Mat twin lens reflex cameras, Yashica Electro 35mm rangefinder cameras, as well as autofocus compact 35mm cameras such as the Yashica T4 Super. (See Yashica section in the 35mm Rangefinder and Other section of Mr. Martin's Technology Museum.) In 1975 it also began producing cameras under the Contax name, which was a brand originally produced by Zeiss Icon. (Contax - Wikipedia.) Yashica became a subsidiary of Kyocera in 1983. Kyocera quit all production of cameras in 2005. (Kyocera - Wikipedia.)
	Yashica Mat-124G (circa 1971-1986) Twin lens reflex camera made in Japan. Uses 120 or 220 roll film producing 6cm x 6cm (2.25" x 2.25") negatives (actual size 5.5cm x 5.5cm). The taking lens is a Yashinon 80mm f3.5. The viewing lens is a Yashinon 80mm f2.8. Yashinon lenses are quality 4 element lenses. Copal-SV shutter. Shutter speeds of 1/500 second to 1 second. Cds coupled match needle exposure meter (not through the lens). Operation is essentially the same as the Yashica-Mat LM above except the meter is easier to use. Takes 625 1.3 volt Mercury battery for meter. Since these are no longer available, I substitute a 1.5 volt 625A alkaline cell. Unlike the LM above, the pressure plate of the 124G and its predecessor 124 can be adjusted to accept either 120 or 220 roll film. I just about bought a new one in the mid 1980s. I think the price was around $175. They were then discontinued. There has been an active used market for the 124G since then. As I write this on December 28, 2008, there were 17 sales on eBay in the prior two weeks with the sales price ranging from $67.56 to $359 with a median price of $142.50 and a mean price of $175.17. They have therefore held their value in the past 22 years pretty well even with the switch to digital cameras. I purchased a used one from a camera shop in the 1989 for $169.95 plus $11.90 tax with a 90 day warranty. It turned out not to work. After considerable effort, I got my money back. I purchased my present one around the summer of 2007 in Oceanside, CA from an ad on Craigslist for $85. It is in excellent working and cosmetic condition. The instruction manual is available at Collection Reflex. The manual for the 124 is at Yashica Manuals. Also, I have a copy of a brochure I picked up when looking a new one in the mid 1980s. Many sites discuss the 124G and related cameras: Camerapedia, medfmt.8k.com - Yashica 124G, Matt's Classic Cameras (comparing the 124G and the prior 124 (1968-1971)), The Frugal Photographer (comparing Yashica TLR cameras with Rolleiflex and Rolleicord cameras, Shooting Nature with the Yashica Mat 124G, Mike Graham - Yashicamat.