Kodak #33 5X7 info??

[jimgalli]

I have a curiously late one. It screams 1960's or perhaps late 1950's. Does anyone know how long these were in normal production. Kodak catalogs from the early '60's? Just want to know. The finish is very different from it's turn of the century uncle the improved #2. Much lighter, metal hardware is lightly anodized steel, all movements except bed travel are sliders with wing nuts. Don't get me wrong, it's a neat little camera and very useable but typical of all the changes American made things went through in the late '50's early '60's. Compare a 1941 Lionel locomotive to a 1968 one some time. Everything Made in USA just got "tinny" in that era.

 

[bobfowler]

Jim, is this the camera you're looking for info about? I suggest you might do well to send a PM to Nathan Smith (nsmith01tx). IIRC, he has at least one, possibly two, #33 cameras.

 

[jimgalli]

Yes, but no. Same camera but all the brass is gone, all the geared movements are gone, lens panel is a simple 4 1/2" board same as a 2D, and tailboard comes up against the GG on my late one. Bellows is black and more modern synthetic material. All the 33's I've ever seen on Ebay are the early '30's ones like in those photos. I'd do some photos but my digicam is lost!!! O NO! jg

 

[jimgalli]

Here are some photos of my late model 33a. Notice also that the front standard on the late version is solid with just rise and fall available.

 

[bobfowler]

OK, it's the tailboard model. I think Nathan does have one of those...

 

[Peter Schrager]

Kodak "33"

Jim-that same camera was my introduction to LF photography over 30 years. I didn't have much in the way of lenses or filmholders but I made many many adequate pictures with it. The camera is extremely light for field use. It puts some of those newfangled $2000 plus 5x7's to shame.
Regards, Peter

 

[Nathan Smith]

Thought I heard my name ... yes, I have 2 of those. Neither in working condition yet.
And yes, they both look just like that with the steel hardware etc. I believe they're older than you think, but I don't have any definitive source to rely on.
Nathan

 

[jimgalli]

Hi all. I was hoping someone had an old Kodak catalog. I think I undersold a bit. I believe the hardware is actually stainless steel. Light and strong. In anycase, within their limitations they are certainly light and capable.