Oldest camera?

Oldest camera?

  • Yes

    Votes: 548 80.7%

  • No

    Votes: 131 19.3%
  • Total voters
    679
Fed 1b (the toliet seat model) '36 I think.

Works ok.

Noel

edit P.S. also have '36 Contax II
 
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Kodak 1a from about 1914. I've actually run a couple of 120 rolls thru it.

My Leica IIIa is from 1934, the uncoated Elmar is as well. This one I've used a fair bit.
 
Well I have a Kodak Hawk-Eye from the teens or early 20's but the poor thing has a very cloudy viewing mechanism and it sits on my shelf looking rather regal but it's not in use. Then there is the Kodak Kodex from the late 30's to early 40's. I've used it a couple of times but not so much. It sits next to the Hawk-Eye. I have a third Kodak Brownie Hawkeye sitting in the closet. We used it when we were kids. It has light leaks but suprisingly a rather sharp lens.

So I guess the oldest camera that I use is from 1979 the Contax 139Q. The oldest Rangefinder is my Bessa but it's the only one I own.
 
I use my '55 vintage Zorki 3m as my main camera. And I own and occasionally use a Bolsey B2--but I'm not sure about the age of that one.
I do have a Leica f4/90 Elmar that dates from '37 and i use that regularly.
Rob
 
I have an Empire State No. 1 Kodak 8x10 from around 1910.

http://www.fiberq.com/cam/ekc/emp1.htm


I also have a Gundlach-Manhattan Optical Korona View 4x5 circa 1909-1936. I don't know the exact year mine was mafuactured.

http://www.fiberq.com/cam/gundlach/view.htm

Yes, I use them. I had to patch the bellows on the Empire State and the film holders are wider than modern 8x10 film holders. I have 3 original 8x10 film holders that came with the Empire State No. 1 and they have 5x7 film inserts in them allowing me to use 5x7 film should I so desire.

The Korona View uses the same size lens board as my Graphic View II and Anniversary Speed Graphic. This allows me to transfer the lens and lens board to any one of the three I wish. The Korona View looks a little odd with the metal Graphic View II lens board on it as it is a Cherry wood camera.

Wayne
 
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... So I guess the oldest camera that I use is from 1979 the Contax 139Q. The oldest Rangefinder is my Bessa but it's the only one I own.[/QUOTE said:
I still miss my 139Q. It just up and died on me one day. I suppose I should have it fixed, but I got a couple of Yashica FX 103's to replace it before their price shot up on the 'bay. Never bragg on a photographic forum about a good deal on what others don't know is a good camera. Anyway, the 103's seem to like the T* 50mm f/1.4 lens very well thank you. They use the other accessories too.
Click to expand...
 
I have a large Kodak camera from 1898 which I have used to take a photo by taping a peice of 5x4 sheet film to the inside of the back plate in a changing bag - I did get a decent photo too!

I have a '20's Voigtlander Bergheil which I use with a RADA 120 film back -It has an uncoated `skopar lens that pretty sharp.

I have a couple of Bessas from the 30's including a Bessa RF from 1936 which I use quite a bit - other than that my most used camera is my M3 from '56.
 
I am not sure what is my oldest camera so I don't know if I use my oldest one or not. But I am pretty sure I don't.

I use my Welta Welti (Raid, do you still have and use yours?) and those were made in the 30's and/or 40's. I use my Welta 6x6/645 folder from I would guess the same time. Also I am now testing my Zeiss Ikon folder. I have some older Kodaks and an old box camera, but I don't use them. I have a Welta Weltini (a 35mm folding rangefinder), but it was bought needing repair and I have yet to do so.
 
First batch Leica II in black 1932-3 + another 1933 second batch ... mere babies , by many collectors standards - but so useable still !
 
Oldest one in common use is a Kodak Brownie 2A ca. 1924 or so- takes 120 film!

My 1114 is of unknown vintage- appears to be part (front standard & perhaps bed?) Kodak 2D with a different rear standard added on. As far as I can find Kodak never made a 2D 1114 camera.
 
Barnack IIIc & Leicaflex(MarkII)

Barnack IIIc & Leicaflex(MarkII)

IIIc(509xxxx) with Summitar50/2(79xxxx) in both 1950 and
Leicaflex(114xxxx) with Summicron50/2(223xxxx) in both 1966
 
1954 Zorki 1e with 50mm F/2 J8. See avatar.

I do have an 1936 Contax IIIa with OEM Flash sync conversion. but there is a cog that is broken that winds the shutter curtains (I think). Anyway, the first curtain opens, but the second won't follow it. (a repair guy told my dad what was wrong, but my dad did not want to spend the $$ to fix..He had a Nikon FTn at the time.
I'll fix it someday...but $180.00 is not in my budget for at least a year.
While I build my Canon EF Film SLR ...

Canon EF, FD 28mm/2.8 SC Breech Lock, FD 50mm/1.4 SSC Breech Lock, Sunpak 411 Flash (Have)
FD 35mm/2 Breech Lock, FD 100mm/2.8 Breech Lock (Next to Get)
 
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