Identify this camera gear ... we love a mystery!

Keith

The best camera is one that still works!
Local time
10:27 PM
Joined
May 5, 2006
Messages
19,242
Finally getting near the end of all this scanning and on the second to last roll I found an image with a camera in the background lower left ... well the case (cases), because the camera was probably being used to take the shot.

Or is it two cameras ... any ideas?


DavidA15004.jpg
 
From the depths of my ignorance... looks like a Brownie to me. Were there Brownies in the 30s?

Definitely, though... a TLR.

Let's hear it from the experts now... :) Thanks for the challenge, Keith!
 
I bet the larger case housed accessories and/or film.
However, there were a few 35mm box cameras available in the 30s, weren't there?

I'm also curious as to where she developed her film?
I don't think there were Motofotos on every corner back then.
So she needed a largish case to carry film?
 
Your Banff series had a photo of a companion with a possible leather camera case.

yours
FPJ


I've noticed while scanning this roll that whatever camera shot it had a very rough film gate ... particularly on the leading and trailing edges!

Haven't seen that in any other rolls I've scanned ... and I supect this was shot in Austria maybe prior to the trip.
 
do you know the answer by the way? :)


No ... I haven't a clue. I know she used a screwmount most of the time on her travels because one of the rolls of film still had the profiled leader attached.

It's the larger case that has me intrigued and as I said I don't think the camera taking the pics here is out of the smaller case shown.
 
The smaller case looks like a Contax never-ready. The bigger one could be from just about any 6x9 plate folder - leather box cases with a top/front flap holding the camera, some plate holders and a filter or two were pretty uniform in size and looks.
 
Keith, the larger case looks like it could be for a Rolleiflex original (circa 1928) model. I've got one but don't have a pic of it - here's the kind I mean:


Rolleiflex original SN 24252
by yannickmchl, on Flickr


étui-cuir-original-intérieu
by yannickmchl, on Flickr

It has a fairly characteristic curved top and large clasp/lock on the front.

I've thoroughly enjoyed following your series Keith even though I've been too busy to comment on most of the rolls. You've inspired me to get cracking on scanning some of the old negatives I have.
 
It has a fairly characteristic curved top and large clasp/lock on the front.

... which it shares with most 6x9 plate camera and box type cases. Unfortunately the image does not resolve details that permit a identification - these cases were made by a few German OEMs for all camera makers, and often can only be identified by the branding.

One thing is fairly certain: They (or some travel companion) also had a medium format camera, at least on that particular trip.

Sevo
 
Last edited:
Sorry, I can't help with the camera ID but that is one nice horse...most likely one used for showing or competition...not your everyday plow horse...
 
In the beginning of thread 6 or 7 Keith posted that the photographer had quite the skills in horse riding and was invited to attend the 1936 Berlin Olympics for Austria, which she refused, being Jewish.

ADD: I think a Rolleiflex would be a fair guess, given that the photographing lady wasn't excactly poor and had a Leica (German top quality) as well. That Rollie in the shots posted sure looks nice, and the case too!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom