Just Arrived Today! - My Sears Roebuck & Co Tower 3-F w/f2.0 50mm Nikkor HC

[dmr]

Thanks for scanning this, Blake! 🙂 It's been an interesting read. I'm on one of those hurry-up-and-wait projects this morning and it makes the wait phases go much faster. 🙂

Tower Ortho Film, huh? 🙂

 

[Blake Werts]

1955 Sears Catalog Scan posted

1955 Sears Catalog Scan posted

Hello All,

I found a friend that has the ability to host these scans for us. And we've already got them up for all to see--in four parts:

http://www.codehappy.com/transfers/SearsCameraCatalog1955part1.pdf
http://www.codehappy.com/transfers/SearsCameraCatalog1955part2.pdf
http://www.codehappy.com/transfers/SearsCameraCatalog1955part3.pdf
http://www.codehappy.com/transfers/SearsCameraCatalog1955part4.pdf

I suppose I should post this elsewhere in its own thread for others to see.

Enjoy!
Blake

 

[dexdog]

I bought one of these cameras with 50/2 Nikkor on ebay recently for $201. Seller said that the shutter was not operating. Turns out that the shutter worked just fine, after you turned the top-mounted rewind wheel back to shooting position.

Nice camera

 

[LeicaTom]

Blake,

Thank you so very much for sharing this 🙂

I`m on the search now for a 1957 or 58 catalog so I can see if my late 35 is in it as well?

Good Reading and a trip back in time.....

Tom

 

[LeicaTom]

I bought one of these cameras with 50/2 Nikkor on ebay recently for $201. Seller said that the shutter was not operating. Turns out that the shutter worked just fine, after you turned the top-mounted rewind wheel back to shooting position.

Nice camera

Was, that the camera with the lens with the damaged front ring?

I was bidding on an early Tower with a Nikkor HC like in the #614xxxx range (very early rigid lens) and I don`t remember I think I was outbid at the last minute?

Tower`s are a treasure and people regretfully buy them JUST for the Nikkor lenses and then they discard the body or try in vain to sell it alone on evilbay.......

Dex this was a great buy and I hope we see some photos taken with her soon!!! 😀

Tom

 

[Vince Lupo]

Okay Tom, you're not the only one who can get fancy shmancy LTM copies...

Leotax T2. Don't know much about it, but we'll see how it works out (should have it by Monday).

I'm sure trying to find the matching Topcor lens will be loads of fun (not to mention loads of $$$).

 

[LeicaTom]

Okay Tom, you're not the only one who can get fancy shmancy LTM copies...

Leotax T2. Don't know much about it, but we'll see how it works out (should have it by Monday).

I'm sure trying to find the matching Topcor lens will be loads of fun (not to mention loads of $$$).

Now isn`t that neat 🙂

Nice catch Vince!

Tom

 

[bennyng]

Tom,

Your Tower is really sharp lookin!! Especially with the meter. Great find!

Cheers,

 

[Vince Lupo]

Now isn`t that neat 🙂

Nice catch Vince!

Tom

Nope -- sent it back. Problem with the shutter.

 

[LeicaTom]

Nope -- sent it back. Problem with the shutter.

Hmmm well, something that Youxin could`nt fix??? 🙁

That was a pretty rare camera, they only made something like 3,000 or so of them from what I`ve been told.......

Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Youxin will only work on Leica's. The copies all have their own idiosyncrocies that can make them a PAIN to work on.

 

[xayraa33]

Leotax quality started to slip with the later models.
the last model, the Leotax G was known as a bit of a lemon.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Hmmm well, something that Youxin could`nt fix??? 🙁

That was a pretty rare camera, they only made something like 3,000 or so of them from what I`ve been told.......

Tom

I thought about it for about 5 seconds, and decided not to pursue a repair. I paid $ 245.00 for it, and shutter work could've added another $ 80.00 or more. At that point, is it worth it? I didn't think so, and I sent it back. Guess I just have to be content with all my other cameras.....

 

[davelrods]

Gorgeous. I remember lusting over one of them when I was a kid in the 50's. That one looks brand new.

 

[Blake Werts]

Got Mine!

Got Mine!

Hey Tom,

Wanted to show off my own Tower Type 3 that came in this week. Currently spinning a roll of film through it and should have some results this weekend.

Meanwhile, take a peek at this sweetie! ;-)

 

[NiccaFile]

Awesome! I bought an Anscoflex and a developing tank from that catalogue..
Thanks for posting..

 

[flip]

I have a 5F and Tower equiv. I, too, love the build. The lever wind and hingeback are also nice. ;-) Honestly, I bought the camera and felt it deserved better glass than the Nikkor! Enjoy this sleeper!

Side note - if you want to see high prices, try to track-down the Nicca 4. I have seen sharks go for hese far more than even the 5, simply due to the limited production numbers.

 

[LeicaTom]

Gee I miss this old Tower.................and my Nikkor

Anyone have a Nikkor HC lens like this? In the same serial number range - 72xxxx?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...-thread-mountblack-aperture-ringversion/cat/7

Tom

 

[tennis-joe]

Youxin Ye has repaired one of my Tower Cameras and it is as quiet as my Leica IIIf's
Joe

 

[paulfish4570]

Tom, that is a pretty one ...