Concealed Carry Camera

[bergytone]

Has anyone ever tried one of these? It's a Universal minute 16. Before I got through the effort of finding or making a film cassette, then loading it and trying it, I'd like to know if they can produce a worthwhile image...

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Nice camera - there's a bit of info about it I could find on the internet, including this:

http://www.submin.com/16mm/collection/universal/index.htm

Apparently R&D for it in the early 1950's cost $2 million - quite a lot at the time - and sunk the company.

 

[benjiboy]

"Concealed Carry Camera"

These are actually two characteristics:

-) camera one easily can carry around

-) a camera that is veiled

There is a third, it should small and have smooth contours in case one of your victims takes offence and sticks it " where the sun don't shine ".

 

[bsdunek]

Has anyone ever tried one of these? It's a Universal minute 16. Before I got through the effort of finding or making a film cassette, then loading it and trying it, I'd like to know if they can produce a worthwhile image...

View attachment 151576

I have one in my collection - never tried to use it. As I remember, back in the 50's, it was considered pretty good. Finding cassettes to reload is pretty hard.

 

[jeffreythree]

I tend to go for flat cameras for this since I stick them in a cargo pants or shorts pocket; so my Mercury II half frame camera. One of the Japanese half frames would probably be even better like a Ricoh Auto Half or a Fujica Mini. I saw a Fujifilm Natura the other which seems to be everything you would want for concealed carry, and it is even designed with high ISO film in mind so you can skip the flash. I thought it was an everyday digicam p&s when I first saw it.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Paul H. I think the P&S is usually the way to go. 'Preciate your thoughts on what's worked for you.

Luckless - being unnoticed is not small, but MF has a strike or two against it - longer focal length = less DOF. So you're either back to focusing each time or having to enlarge alot. I did try this method w/ the 'blad. About 3 1/2 shots turned out on the roll (naturally practice would up that amount). One of the shots is in the gallery. Maybe a bright day would make it work better - which would be about 6-8wks in soggytown here. You bet it can work - wouldn't say it can't. It just needs alot of conditions to be in place to work well.

Your friend's use of the phone as cover is brilliant! I've heard from other shooters that the WLF is a benefit - which is why I tried the 'blad. Today, I was largely in place, exposure set, pre-focused, anticipating pedestrian traffic. 'A couple might be okay. The main purpose for the location was to shoot the dreaded 'OPA' (other people's art). This restaurant has a fun bit to their architecture & I wasn't happy w/ my shot w/ the Retina. 'Went back w/ the FE2 & the 300mm F4 so I could get futher away & higher up in relation to the subject.

'Would have responded sooner, but did the hour drive each way to shoot downtown. 'Have the multi camera roll film blues - 4 cameras w/ partially completed rolls.

 

[HiHoSilver]

I do not use the Tessina very often but it is stealty.

View attachment 151566

Sirius, that's a fascinating little camera. 'Designed by Nagel - of Retina fame.

 

[Loren Sattler]

I have enjoyed using a Rollei Prego 90, autofocus, autoexposure and Schneider zoom lens 28mm to 90mm. This model was a high end camera when new and readily available today for little cost on eBay. See photo here: photo, rollei prego 90

 

[HiHoSilver]

Loren, Thank You.

 

[Paul Howell]

Paul H. I think the P&S is usually the way to go. 'Preciate your thoughts on what's worked for you.



In bad weather I like either my Konica Off Road with the 28 wide, lens is very sharp but has some light fall off in the corners, or the Minolta Weathermatic, with the duel 35, 85, lens, down side is that is bright yellow show stands out in a crowd.

Low light my Canon ML sure shot, with 40 1.9 lens, takes filters, although autofocus and auto exposure you can cheat using the manual ISO setting.

General purpose I have Pentax, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, I generally use the Pentax with the 38 to 115 lens, there are few longer zooms, I find the 38 to 115 to about just right, the only down side is that these are auto every thing. Although I use Series V or VI filters and hood by gluing on an adaptor, I can only use a light yellow filters these are not TTL and the light meter is not mounted in a way that a filter will cover it, and with auto everything no way to cheat the DDX. It has 5 autofocus points, top shutter speed of 1/300 but is slow 3.8 to 5.6.

 

[Jim Jones]

I tend to go for flat cameras for this since I stick them in a cargo pants or shorts pocket; so my Mercury II half frame camera. . . .

Ouch! The sharpest man in my boot camp company in 1950 had one, so I got one, too. It seemed like a wonderful camera with a fast lens and 1/1000 shutter. However, it is bulky and heavy. Many Kodak Retinas have a more versatile shutter, rangefinder focusing, lighter weight, smaller bulk, and a decent faster lens. My Leica IIIf with a f3.5 Elmar was also compact, although the f/2.8 Elmar or collapsing Summicron might have been worth the extra bulk.

 

[blockend]

To be unobtrusive a camera needs to not only be small, but quiet and quick to use. That rules out any noisy autofocus and auto-winds. A zone focus, wheel advance compact with manual flash is probably the best all round camera for the job.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I do not use the Tessina very often but it is stealthy.

Ok you guys have me motivated enough to start wearing this camera when I go out.[/QUOTE]

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Ok you guys have me motivated enough to start wearing this camera when I go out.

Excellent.

 

[AgX]

Ok you guys have me motivated enough to start wearing this camera when I go out.

You might steal your girl the show.

 

[HiHoSilver]

Ok you guys have me motivated enough to start wearing this camera when I go out.

[/QUOTE]
Should you weary of carrying it, I'd be glad to help.

 

[klop]

I use the Contax TVS with black and white film.

 

[cooltouch]

My Oly XA and Trip 35 both make good concealed carry film cameras. But I'm usually having to make a conscious decision to carry a film camera anymore these days -- as much as I love 'em. <Donning my flack jacket here> But from a purely practical standpoint, it has become hard to beat the capabilities of my smartphone -- something I always have with me.

 

[EdColorado]

I usually have my XA with me but often take my Rollie 35S. Both are fine cameras but while the XA seems a bit easier to carry and use, I prefer the images I get with the Rollie. I also have a few old folders. Its amazing just how small a package can be and still be shooting a 6x6 neg.

 

[bence8810]

A Ricoh GR1s is always loaded with film pushed to 1600 and in my pocket as I walk about. I mainly use it on workdays and I take a walk around the office every afternoon. A normal camera would raise eyebrows but this just slips into my pocket and I can take quick shots whenever I see something worthy of it.

I used a Leica IIIc with a collapsible lens before but it was too heavy and too manual for what I needed it for.
The Ricoh is my only automatic camera otherwise and I only use it when nothing else is on me.
Worried about the LCD - it's on its way out but the motor still sounds good so I hope I'll have it for a few more years down the line.

Ben

 

[nosmok]

+another for the Oly XA, but the BEST compact 35mm camera in terms of IQ I've ever seen is the Vivitar 35EM. Scale focus only, it'll make you a real man. Unfortunately I've had 2 of them die on me midroll, so take that into account.

 

[guangong]

Second thoughts. Yes, always with me, a Minox. But concealed can sometimes be like the purloined letter. There is no better concealed camera with better quality than a Super ikonta b hanging openly on the chest. Since the late 70s this has been my favorite. You would be surprised how many people are ignorant of its abilities. This was my camera to take to places "no cameras allowed".

 

[AgX]

But concealed can sometimes be like the purloined letter.... You would be surprised how many people are ignorant of its abilities.

Good point.

 

[ciniframe]

Wow, 4 votes for the Minox 8X11 submini. I have a lovely IIIs and if you are a DIY type person they are great, a lot of work but fun to use. Would not be able to afford them if I had to buy preloaded film and send it off for developing and prints but after buying some long out of date film on that auction site and a couple of current films from Blue Moon I just slit and load my own from 35mm bulk, develop in a much modified Yankee Master tank and reel and enlarge with a Mamiya Enla head. I'm working my way through a roll of Pan F and calculated 24 exposure loads are about $.50 each.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

For John,
There are more ways than one as seen above.
Have a look at this short documentary.
See how this great photographer concealed his camera.