Pioneer
Veteran
I have a Vest Pocket Kodak that was manufactured sometime between 1915 and 1920 that gets occasional use. Has a small light leak and the film is not inexpensive so it only comes out occasionally.
My No 2 Brownie was made before 1924 because it is made of card stock, not metal. It works great and I tend to shoot it anytime I am in my Holga mood. I tend to put 10 to 20 rolls of film through it a year.
The oldest camera that gets regular use is my 1936 Leica III. I had it completely overhauled last year and it is now a daily carry camera with its collapsible Elmar 50cm f3.5 lens from 1935. Takes wonderful photographs.
My No 2 Brownie was made before 1924 because it is made of card stock, not metal. It works great and I tend to shoot it anytime I am in my Holga mood. I tend to put 10 to 20 rolls of film through it a year.
The oldest camera that gets regular use is my 1936 Leica III. I had it completely overhauled last year and it is now a daily carry camera with its collapsible Elmar 50cm f3.5 lens from 1935. Takes wonderful photographs.
css9450
Veteran
Most of my "old" cameras date from the mid-50s (S2, Canon IIf, Nicca/Tower, both Voigtlanders), so I decided to get some film for my Vest Pocket Kodak Model "B" Autographic. Bellows are in good shape even though the camera body itself looks rough, but better than some I saw on Youtube. First roll in it since probably late-70s! Results next week!
doitashimash1te
Well-known
I think this is the oldest camera in my possession at the time.
Robert.M
Well-known
6x9 KW Patent Etui with Plaubel Supracomar lens, and a Rollex film holder
Greyscale
Veteran
This Century Studio #4 is probably my oldest camera.
Century #4 8x10 by Mike Novak, on Flickr
As soon as I put a new mirror in it, this old girl will be my oldest "user" camera.
Original Rolleiflex (model 611). by Mike Novak, on Flickr
ETA I am not sure which is older, the original Rolleiflex or the Plaubel Makina I seen in the background.
Century #4 8x10 by Mike Novak, on Flickr
As soon as I put a new mirror in it, this old girl will be my oldest "user" camera.
Original Rolleiflex (model 611). by Mike Novak, on Flickr
ETA I am not sure which is older, the original Rolleiflex or the Plaubel Makina I seen in the background.
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
11 years on, and my answer is 2/3 the same. I no longer have that Bolsey B2 but I do stillhave and use the Zorki and the Elmar.
I do have now a couple of 120 cameras that are older one is a 6x9 folder and the other is a box camera. Both are Agfa made and functional but not pristine. And were made prior to WW2. I don't use them very often, I think I ran one roll through each of them last year.
Rob
seany65
Well-known
My newest old camera is a Welta Perle 6x9 from 1932-1936, with a Weltar anastigmat f6.3 in an Original Gauthier Vario shutter:
(click on thumb to get big pic).
In the pic the lens looks cloudy but it isn't. Unfortunately I may have damaged the camera's ability to focus properly as I took the back and front lens parts off to clean them and I didn't know you had to faff about setting the lens (in some way) to get it to focus at infinity.
Overall, the camera seems in good condition, and even the viewfinder is clear, bright and useable.
I've not used it yet, but I only need a film for it, as I have a bag, a hood, a tripod, cable release, a meter and a rangefinder accessory that I can use.
(click on thumb to get big pic).
In the pic the lens looks cloudy but it isn't. Unfortunately I may have damaged the camera's ability to focus properly as I took the back and front lens parts off to clean them and I didn't know you had to faff about setting the lens (in some way) to get it to focus at infinity.
Overall, the camera seems in good condition, and even the viewfinder is clear, bright and useable.
I've not used it yet, but I only need a film for it, as I have a bag, a hood, a tripod, cable release, a meter and a rangefinder accessory that I can use.
carbo73
Well-known
A working Kodak Vest Pocket from 1912-1914, probably in the middle of the production run (1913?) due to some details in the stutcheon. Not the Autographic version, which is later and more usual. Now the discontinued 127 film format is again found in the Rerapan 100 version. I took pictures with it, but can't scan them due to the unusual format, at least now.
https://flic.kr/p/24R2SSj
https://flic.kr/p/24R2SSj
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
I have 2 Leicas built in 1938, a I & a II. It was a very prolific year for leica.
Gareth Rees
Established
My oldest camera is a Zeiss minimum Palmos 12x9 plate camera from 1906 with 150mm Tessar. I also have 400mm lens to go with it.
Bokey Shutter
Newbie
Good evening
I present you my new friend, a beautiful Mamiya-6 fully functional. The telemeter is right, the speeds too. The images are contrasted and sharp.
Compared to my Leica M2 it allows 6x6 negatives easily readable on a light table. And most importantly, when it is folded it fits in a pocket.
Mamiya-6 by Jean-Charles Hassen, sur Flickr
I present you my new friend, a beautiful Mamiya-6 fully functional. The telemeter is right, the speeds too. The images are contrasted and sharp.
Compared to my Leica M2 it allows 6x6 negatives easily readable on a light table. And most importantly, when it is folded it fits in a pocket.
Mamiya-6 by Jean-Charles Hassen, sur FlickrBokey Shutter
Newbie
Here is the type of photo he can do:
Croix Rousse_Rollei RPX100-081 by Jean-Charles Hassen, sur Flickr
Croix Rousse_Rollei RPX100-081 by Jean-Charles Hassen, sur Flickr
doitashimash1te
Well-known
It's a beauty!
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
The trouble with using old cameras is that you have to open a can of worms before even looking for film, as the camera has to work without light leaks and bellows are not exactly immune to them. Then you have to find someone willing to check and repair or adjust the thing, Kodak's ball bearing shutter is a good example here. Then you have to find the right film which could be on a spool or as a cut film with the right holder, most are for film packs of glass plates. Then you have to develop the film and so on.
Consequently it's difficult to use anything that doesn't take 120 or 35mm film or else 5" x 4" cut film. And the same applies to modern cameras, my youngest ones need 110 or APS...
Regards, David
The trouble with using old cameras is that you have to open a can of worms before even looking for film, as the camera has to work without light leaks and bellows are not exactly immune to them. Then you have to find someone willing to check and repair or adjust the thing, Kodak's ball bearing shutter is a good example here. Then you have to find the right film which could be on a spool or as a cut film with the right holder, most are for film packs of glass plates. Then you have to develop the film and so on.
Consequently it's difficult to use anything that doesn't take 120 or 35mm film or else 5" x 4" cut film. And the same applies to modern cameras, my youngest ones need 110 or APS...
Regards, David
Bokey Shutter
Newbie
It is to avoid these inconveniences that I chose the Mamiya 6 Automat, camera of the sixties but with undeniable technical progress in a near new state. He will be my traveling companion in Egypt in June but I will also have in my suitcase a Yashica-D also in perfect condition
( i dont speak good english and i use google translator )
( i dont speak good english and i use google translator )
Bokey Shutter
Newbie
Nokton48
Veteran
DSC05884[1447] by Nokton48, on FlickrMy Plaubel Makina III recently overhauled by Wizcam.
Makina Innis Woods Foma by Nokton48, on Flickrgnuyork
Well-known
Yes, 50s Rolleiflex. I love it.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Last time I posted my oldest camera was a Kodak No.1 Panoram,
These days it's a Folding Pocket Kodak from 1898 before this became the "No.0" . A 120 years old and still works!
These days it's a Folding Pocket Kodak from 1898 before this became the "No.0" . A 120 years old and still works!
