Oldest camera?

Oldest camera?

  • Yes

    Votes: 548 80.7%

  • No

    Votes: 131 19.3%
  • Total voters
    679
Mr_Flibble said:
The oldest camera I have is Kodak No.2 Box Brownie (1930s).
Click to expand...

after 4 years I guess I can update that with:

Vest Pocket Kodak (post-WW1, early 1920s)

vestpocket06.jpg

Scan doesn't do the 127 format negative justice.


Kodak No.2 Autographic folding brownie (with poor bellows)
ZB080018a.jpg

Another poor scan
 
My oldest Lens is a CC Harrison from 1851, and yes I use it. My oldest camera is an 1890s Rochester Optical Co, and yes also. More than half the fun is using the old equipment.
 
Yesterday I purchased a pristine 1917 Kodak Autographic 1A with the Anastigmat 130mm f7.7 lens. Everything is perfect. Hard to believe this camera is 94 years old! Even came with the original engraved stylus. (for recording text images on the film)

I have not yet taken my own pics of it, so here are a few snapshots from the seller.

Glen
FocusOnNewfoundland.com

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My oldest is either a Kodak No. 2-C Folding Autographic Brownie or a Kodak No 3A Folding Cartridge Hawk-Eye model B, both post 1917. The 3A is in working condition but needs a bllows, the 2A has a broken lens and shutter, but is in very good condition otherwise.

My oldest working camera is this Yashica YK, Yashica's second fixed-lens rangefinder (1959), and a very pretty camera:


Yashica YK by Greyscale3, on Flickr
 
Mine is a Rochester Optical 8x10 "Ideal" View Camera that was probably made between 1890 and 1897, but possibly as late as 1903.


Rochester Optical 8x10 "Ideal" View Camera by Zane's Photography, on Flickr

I have a "Turner-Reich" Anastigmat f/6.8 Series II No. 5 lens

My new Lens by Zane's Photography, on Flickr

With a second set of elements from a "Turner-Reich" Anastigmat f/7.0 Series II, that allows me to build five different lenses.

Extra lens elements by Zane's Photography, on Flickr

I've so far only shot using trimmed down 8x10 Ilford Paper. The holder itself is intended for dry plates, but I've created shims for it Unfortunately it turned out to be a bit less than 8x10, so the kodak film sheaths intended to allow you to use sheet film in plate holders won't work. At some point I plan to get a new camera back built that will allow the use of modern film holders.

Second 8x10 Shot by Zane's Photography, on Flickr
 
I ended up keeping this. I ran a roll of presto through it yesterday. It is a later model, made for sale in Japan. Early 50's. Still functions perfectly.
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I must update my info here as my oldest camera is now a Butchers Watch Pocket Carbine from approximately the mid 1920s. Not used it yet but in theory I could as it takes 120 film. My oldest used camera is also about to change from my 1960 Rolleicord Va to an Agfa Isolette I.

Ronnie
 
my oldest is a Zeiss Ikoflex TLR 850/16 "coffee can" with Novar 4.5 lens, 1934-37.

It still works. The images are as expected bluer than fashionable now.
Must use it again soon.
 
My oldest camera was 1939 Contax II. Since about a week ago, it is 1935 BP Leica III, you can see lower. I have no use for cameras I can't shoot. I have about 40 cameras, and all of them are shootable. I cycle through all of them.Sometimes I use some of them for extended period of times, but I derive a lot more pleasure from changing them. I prefer them to be fully mechanical.
 
The oldest one I've got is 1938 Leica III and I still use it regularly. It's one of the smoothest Leica I've ever used as well.
 
My oldest users are a Moskva 4 and a FED 2, both from 1956.

Haven't had the opportunity to shoot the Moskva lately though.
 
Mid 1940's Kodak Brownie TLR. Don't use it as much as I do my 1954 Leica iiif RD with 5 cm collapsible Summicron from the same year (shown in my avatar). I shoot dozens of rolls of Tri-X through the Leica each year.

Best,
-Tim
 
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