To restore or not to restore.

[Stephanie Brim]

This really isn't a rangefinder question, but there's so many people here who actually work on cameras that I may be able to get some good answers.

I have an Anniversary Brownie in bad shape. It's now in pieces, thanks to me, because I knew that I couldn't use it as is. So here's the deal: I'd like to restore it. I think that it would be an interesting camera to play around with. It being so simple kind of makes me think of a more advance pinhole-type camera. The shutter is functioning and the lens has no haze or fungus...but the viewfinder was in sad shape. The mirror is the large problem here...looks pretty rough. And really, the outside of the case is rusted and worn.

So to restore the thing I'd have to make an entirely new casing to house the insides and somehow get a new mirror/glass for the viewfinder. Worth it or no? Seems like a good first restoration project for someone who hasn't done it before.

 

[ZeissFan]

You could probably restore it. You could get a Polaroid One Step or one of the other 1980s Polaroid instant cameras really cheap at a flea market ($2 or $3), and then cut a new mirror for it.

I would probably give it a shot. what's the dimensions of the old mirror. I have some scrap front-surface mirrors, and if it's not too large, I might be able to cut one to fit.

Unless it's a rusted hunk of metal, I think most cameras are worthy of being restored. And there's something satisfying about bringing back an older camera.

 

[kiev4a]

Not worth it unless you just want to get some experience in that sort of work.

 

[zeos 386sx]

"So to restore the thing I'd have to make an entirely new casing ..." - Stephanie Brim

How are your woodworking skills? You might end up being the first person in the world to own an Anniversary Brownie view camera. Sounds like a fun project for rainy days.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

You could probably restore it. You could get a Polaroid One Step or one of the other 1980s Polaroid instant cameras really cheap at a flea market ($2 or $3), and then cut a new mirror for it.

I would probably give it a shot. what's the dimensions of the old mirror. I have some scrap front-surface mirrors, and if it's not too large, I might be able to cut one to fit.

Unless it's a rusted hunk of metal, I think most cameras are worthy of being restored. And there's something satisfying about bringing back an older camera.

I'm guessing that 'tiny' doesn't help you. The viewfinder on the thing is incredibly small for a wannabe waist-level finder, but I don't have a ruler handy to measure.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

"So to restore the thing I'd have to make an entirely new casing ..." - Stephanie Brim

How are your woodworking skills? You might end up being the first person in the world to own an Anniversary Brownie view camera. Sounds like a fun project for rainy days.

That's actually an admirable idea...but probably not monetarily feasible for me at the moment. I wouldn't trust myself to cut the pieces, but I know someone who could. 🙂

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Any other suggestions for this? I'd actually thought about using the shutter and creating some kind of a large format (4x5) camera as well.

 

[RJBender]

Your Brownie is fixed focus with one shutter speed, isn't it?
Shutterbug had a DIY article several years ago about using old folding cameras with SLR bodies. They cut a hole in the back of the folder and fastened a plastic body cap with a hole drilled in the center.

R.J.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

YEP! But it's a box camera. I could do a lot of things with it, really...I just have to pick something.

 

[RJBender]

YEP! But it's a box camera. I could do a lot of things with it, really...I just have to pick something.

Hmmm.. you could cover it with duct tape and tape a plastic tube to the top to use as a viewfinder. 🙂

R.J.

 

[Kin Lau]

Don't know if the lense will cover 4x5 (likely not). Just duct tape it back together and try shooting paper negs.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I think that it'll cover, but I may need to rig it so that I can hold it open for longer than the normal time once I get it working.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Or reallly, I could just keep the 120 rollfilm part of it intact and use that and just rebuild the box out of something more sturdy than cardboard.

 

[former member]

Stephanie,
there are tons of 120 rollfilm cameras in flea markets and on EBay. The cost is typically $20 and under. Some have multiple speeds and adjustable lenses. Also tons of Box cameras. I've got them sitting in the basement if you are really after using one, there are easier ways of doing it. I can certainly empty a box camera out of my basement. Will have to check which take 120 film.

 

[RJBender]

Hey Brian, if you find a broken Kiev in your collection let me know if you want to sell it.

R.J.

 

[former member]

No broken Kiev's. I would have hacked the lens mount anyway. Kiev's are dirt cheap, and broken as/is are going for the price of scrap metal. Should be easy to pick up. I have a number of parts SLR's and other fixed lens RF's. I've hacked them for prisms, springs, etc. My Retina Reflex-S has a prism from a Minolta XG-9 in it. Perfect fit.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Nah, I'll build it. It'll be fun, actually. I'm going to build it over in very thin wood first, then cover it with black leather...I'll just use the dimensions of the old camera. It *should* work. And I do want to use it...even if sparingly. It's more that I want an interesting project than a new camera. I have a couple of shutter cleaning things I want to do after it, so I want something fun before I take on the tedious work. 🙂