Playing around with the Time Traveler 120 box camera

[MC JC86]

I usually don't bother with cameras that are extremely simple and technologically primitive (shoot only film, but into rangefinders TLRs and what not).

I do, however have a week spot for cameras with quirky names or designs, and this Time Traveler 120 box camera has been sitting on my shelf for a few months now; I had never used it.

Today, I decided to pop a roll of TRI-X in it and shoot it. It's difficult to use, because it has 1 very slow shutter speed, seems to be around 1/15-1/25 and a fixed aperture. The lens appears to be some sort of singlet.

I pulled the tri-x to around 50 iso since it was all I had available and took some snaps while walking the dog. I was surpirsed at the sharpness in the center, kinda like the look it created. The first shot is my mom in her kitchen, the other taken on the walk.

They're not great photos, but I think I may take this camera out a few more times and experiment, I kind of am starting to understand what some people seem to like about Holgas etc (haven't had one of those since I was 15.

For anyone unfamiliar with this POS camera, it shoots a 6x9cm neg on 120 film. Has one single shutter speed + time (actually more like B on this model) Made of stamped metal.

 

[RanceEric]

Great photos for the camera!

 

[Denverdad]

I happen to have a strange fascination with extremely simple and technologically primitive cameras myself (quirkily named or otherwise!). Until I read your post though, I hadn't appreciated that this one was actually 6x9. Can you tell me, is the film plane curved or flat? I'm just curious.

It is interesting what you say about the center sharpness - I have often been surprised by how good some of these older meniscus lens cameras can be in that regard too. In fact one thing I often do is modify such cameras to have a smaller aperture - typically in the f/16 to f/32 range (depending on the shutter speed) - and then couple this with 400 speed film to bring the exposure back up. This is one way to get even sharper images. Now granted, maximum image detail isn't always the goal with this type of camera (they have other charms as you have discovered), but I am continually amazed at just how "normal" an image one can get from them with just a few simple tweaks.


Also, for what it is worth this camera seems to have come to light under a variety of different names. Among those that appear to be essentially the same model are the Traveler 120, Time Traveler 120, Vagabond "120", Scout 120 , and Life Time 120. There may be more.

Have fun!

Jeff

 

[ZeissFan]

I think the humble box camera has its place. And these days, they let you take some very decent photos without worrying about shutter speed or aperture or trying to capture some bokeh thing.

 

[MC JC86]

I happen to have a strange fascination with extremely simple and technologically primitive cameras myself (quirkily named or otherwise!). Until I read your post though, I hadn't appreciated that this one was actually 6x9. Can you tell me, is the film plane curved or flat? I'm just curious.

It is interesting what you say about the center sharpness - I have often been surprised by how good some of these older meniscus lens cameras can be in that regard too. In fact one thing I often do is modify such cameras to have a smaller aperture - typically in the f/16 to f/32 range (depending on the shutter speed) - and then couple this with 400 speed film to bring the exposure back up. This is one way to get even sharper images. Now granted, maximum image detail isn't always the goal with this type of camera (they have other charms as you have discovered), but I am continually amazed at just how "normal" an image one can get from them with just a few simple tweaks.


Also, for what it is worth this camera seems to have come to light under a variety of different names. Among those that appear to be essentially the same model are the Traveler 120, Time Traveler 120, Vagabond "120", Scout 120 , and Life Time 120. There may be more.

Have fun!

Jeff

You've raised a point that I should've originally mentioned. There's no pressure plate, the film plane appears to be flat but there's nothing to actually hold it like that. I'm sure this has added to the "selective focus" effects that the lens creates.

You mentioned the aperture modification.
Do you have instructions to modify it? I actually like the camera and was thinking about doing a candid portrait series with it, but would need to tweak the exposure a bit.


Thanks for your post.

 

[Denverdad]

My Ensign Ful-vue has no pressure plate either, and I have noticed that it makes the film rather sloppy in its path around the back of the camera. I think you are right that this could be part of the "selective focus" effects you are seeing.

As for aperture modifications, every camera is different. Unfortunately, I don't have one of these so I can't offer much specific help. But in general with many simple cameras like yours it is just a matter of finding a way to make a smaller hole out of whatever is serving as the aperture stop in the camera. Sometimes it can be as simple as covering the old hole with some material and then drilling a new, smaller hole. Here is one example just for reference that is something like that - http://www.squarefrog.co.uk/hacks/aperture-mod.html - in this case for a Holga. It might give you some ideas.

You've raised a point that I should've originally mentioned. There's no pressure plate, the film plane appears to be flat but there's nothing to actually hold it like that. I'm sure this has added to the "selective focus" effects that the lens creates.

You mentioned the aperture modification.
Do you have instructions to modify it? I actually like the camera and was thinking about doing a candid portrait series with it, but would need to tweak the exposure a bit.


Thanks for your post.