Aperture equivalents for No. 2 Ansco Box

[thelawoffives]

Hey all -

I have been having some fun with an Ansco No. 2 Buster Brown box camera. I would like to know if anybody here has a rule of thumb for aperture when using any of the three diaphragm settings. I have heard the the shutter is about 1/60, but I have had no luck finding any other setting info. I was hoping to use a light meter to help with indoor photos, and it would be nice to have some ballpark estimates. I read the manual, and saw the table that was listed there, but it would be nice to use my meter, as this very much impresses strangers, and would be much easier than referencing the table when "on-the-go." Also, I have been using Ilford PanF 50 with great results, but I would be interested to hear what other film people like to use with these sexy little beasts.

Thanks in advance for any help and have a great day

-Bill

 

[removed account4]

hi bill

not sure if you have seen this page ..
( its for kodak, not ansco box cameras, but i am sure it is similar )

http://www.brownie-camera.com/tech.shtml

have fun !
john

 

[Christopher Walrath]

But, above all, HAVE FUN with it. It's always a cherished thing making photographs with antique equipment.

 

[thelawoffives]

Thanks for the link - I had been searching for Ansco cameras only, I never thought to try looking for information about similar models!

Chris - you are so right about antique equipment. No only is it a blast using the thing, but the conversations I get into with strangers as I walk around with it are half my enjoyment. Between the Ansco and my Rolleiflex, I have heard more stories about family vacations, the national park service, east coast beaches, WWII, what Europe was like in the fifties, the hoover dam, etc. I have always loved chatting with strangers, and I love how often I am now approached. I have a 4x5 view camera that was given to me recently, and I feel like I should prepare a sign, in anticipation of public shooting, that reads "yes, you can interrupt me! No, its not a bother!" I find myself on eBay searching for inexpensive, bizarre looking cameras. I never figured that photography would be such a social exercise!

-Bill

 

[2F/2F]

The f stops for Brownies with three apertures are 11, 16, and 22. (John N. already provided the link to the page where I got this information.) The Agfa camera is probably similar, though not necessarily identical.