Plate Camera found with Exposed Film. Kodak Recomar 33

DannL. · Oct 3, 2015

So, to make a short story long . . . I purchased a Kodak Recomar 33 outfit the other day. It came from San Antonio, TX (not NM). When it arrived I immediately noticed that the film pack holder appeared to be loaded (Plus X), and that 11 of the 12 tabs had been pulled. Tab No. 12 had not been pulled. I was really curious if the negatives were still within the holder, and even more curious if so, then could they be developed to reveal something. After opening the film pack I found the negatives were still there. I developed No. 12 to no avail. Nothing was discernible. Then I developed No. 11 . . . . Yipeee! "Houston, we have a negative". Albeit weak, there was a visible image. So, after scanning that negative, and some tweaking, we now have a positive image. I just wanted to share.

The camera was something I have desired for many years. Partly because I love using plate cameras. And partly for "nostalgia", as from the information I have garnered about this camera, they were only produced between Dec '31 and '39-'40 (Kodak AG, Stuttgart). The original booklet that came with the camera was printed 8-36 which gives a possible four-year window when the camera was probably made. Hitler was Chancellor of Germany during that time. I just find that fascinating. The serial of this camera is 962300 if anyone could pinpoint the actual date of manufacture.

So, I have 10 more negatives to develop. If they turn into viable negatives, I'll post images made from each. Enjoy!

DannL. · Oct 4, 2015

Negative No. 10 was also unexposed.

So, here are images from negatives No. 9 and No. 8. I have maintained the contrast of the images low enough to reveal as much detail as possible. These negatives are incredibly thin. I'm still somewhat surprised what detail can be extracted. Just looking at them, you'ld think there was nothing there. It takes approx. 20 minutes to develop one negative at a time, so I'm taking my time with this project. Only seven more negatives to go.

The negative we're working with here are 8.5cm x 12.5cm.

choiliefan · Oct 4, 2015

date the shutter

You can probably get a little closer dating the camera by the serial number engraved on the side of the shutter: http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Compur_serial_numbers

OptiKen · Oct 4, 2015

I think this is totally awesome. I love finding exposed film in an old camera then developing it to see what was there. Often I develop to nothing but once in a while something magically appears opening a window to an important moment in the past for someone...somewhere...sometime.

Your camera is gorgeous and the print of the man overlooking the valley came out surprisingly well.
How did you develop it and in what developer?

DannL. · Oct 4, 2015

choiliefan said:
You can probably get a little closer dating the camera by the serial number engraved on the side of the shutter: http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Compur_serial_numbers

Thank you Choiliefan. That serial is 3364077 which most likely puts it around '35 or '36. Excellent!

Bill Burk · Oct 4, 2015

DannL.

That's a great set! Glad you already developed it.... I can't imagine the feeling you got - first the fear of what if you ruin it. All past.

Now you have some great old images.

Thanks

bdial · Oct 4, 2015

Very cool, plus the camera looks to be in wonderful condition. Nice find!

DannL. · Oct 4, 2015

OptiKen said:
I think this is totally awesome. I love finding exposed film in an old camera then developing it to see what was there. Often I develop to nothing but once in a while something magically appears opening a window to an important moment in the past for someone...somewhere...sometime.

Your camera is gorgeous and the print of the man overlooking the valley came out surprisingly well.
How did you develop it and in what developer?

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm still hoping to find an image that will pinpoint the date of the exposures.

I'm not following any special procedures for developing these negatives. But here's what I am doing . . .

Approx. 1 min. pre-wash
7 min. in D-76 1:1 +/- compensation for temp; Semi-Stand Development (4 inversions every 30 sec. only)
45 sec. to 1 min. Stop
3 min. Kodak Fixer
Final-wash.
Hung to dry.

DannL. · Oct 5, 2015

Images from Negatives No. 7 and No. 6.

bdial · Oct 5, 2015

I wonder where the photos were made? To my eye, it doesn't look to be Oklahoma or Texas.

DannL. · Oct 5, 2015

My best guess would have to be Colorado. I have been in touch with the person that sold me the camera. They said that they are in contact with the original owners. They may be able to shed some light on the question. If these exposures are from the 1950's as I surmise, this would be a good example of the longevity of the latent image.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 5, 2015

Being able to see these images so far into the future from when they were made is astonishing. No doubt the camera and film were not stored in ideal conditions.

Image #6 should be recognizable to people familiar with that area, it is so distinctive.

Please excuse my ignorance on how these film packs work (I only know roll film and sheet film) - when the pack is new (no photos made), are all 12 tabs visible? What happens with the tabs when a photo is made? I ask because, had I come across this, I wouldn't've recognized the state of the film pack.

DannL. · Oct 5, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
Being able to see these images so far into the future from when they were made is astonishing. No doubt the camera and film were not stored in ideal conditions.

Image #6 should be recognizable to people familiar with that area, it is so distinctive.

Please excuse my ignorance on how these film packs work (I only know roll film and sheet film) - when the pack is new (no photos made), are all 12 tabs visible? What happens with the tabs when a photo is made? I ask because, had I come across this, I wouldn't've recognized the state of the film pack.

Excellent question. Here's a series of images of the parts from this film pack. It appears that the internet is void of this information for the most part.

I think my drawing probably explains it well enough. Let me know. One part that is missing is the back of the film pack box. I have included the window side of the box in the parts picture. In the drawing I only drew two tabs that have film attached (green). There are twelve tabs with film, in the pack.

The basic parts.
The Backing Plate attached to the Spring Thing.
The film as it would appear when attached to the pull tab.
A drawing of how this all works.

DannL. · Oct 5, 2015

Extra images . . .

The film pack holder with dark side partially open.
The Spring Thing (front and back). Note the black light-trap felt at one end.
The film detached from the pull tab.

DannL. · Oct 6, 2015

Once all the tabs have been pulled, this is what the film pack holder should look like. Of course there is the possibility that some camera operators may rip the tabs off.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 6, 2015

Thanks! I get it -- I never even knew things like this existed!

bdial · Oct 6, 2015

Film packs were very handy, 12 frames in the space of one double-sided sheet film holder. Much smaller than a Graphmatic holder that gives you six (as I recall).

But, they had their downsides, the film is the thickness of roll film so that it can be moved from the front to the back when exposed. It's a little harder to handle if you are used to thick sheet film. The sheets were also slightly bigger than the equivalent standard sheet, so they didn't quite fit into some hangers and negative carriers. I have a couple of unexposed film packs that I've acquired with other stuff, one of these days...

DannL. · Oct 9, 2015

Negative No. 5

The gentleman's attire sure has that 1950's feel. Four more negatives to go.

IloveTLRs · Oct 10, 2015

Pardon my ignorance, but does this take large format film? Years ago I had an interest in cameras like that, but I couldn't tell what type of film they used.

DannL. · Oct 10, 2015

This particular camera, the Kodak Recomar 33 takes what is called 9x12cm film. (89mm x 119mm) or (3-1/2" x 4-11/16"), just a bit smaller than 4x5, using the film holders supplied. Freestyle has had this film size in the past, but I think they are currently out of stock. Right now, I have been developing the film found in a Plus-X film-pack that came with the camera. I don't believe they make those anymore. For my own use I generally cut (resize) my own film from whatever I have available. Depending on the plate/film holders that you have, you can trim standard 4x5 film down to size, or cut x-ray film to size, or use paper negatives, and many will naturally accept coated glass plates (aka dry-plates). There are many interesting ways to use these old 9x12 cameras. The Voigtlander Avus and Zeiss Maximar cameras are other makes that I have used in the past. Those were fine cameras also. Many also came in the smaller 6x9cm size, and some in the larger 10x12cm size. Many plate cameras of this type will also accept the 120 roll-film adapters (those that fit), which some folks would find very handy. For me, cutting my own film to size is just part of the fun. When trimming regular film, I use a small guillotine print cutter in total darkness, trimming one length for each sheet, followed by trimming the other length. And if you are cutting x-ray film or paper negatives, a safe-light may be used.

IloveTLRs · Oct 10, 2015

DannL. said:
This particular camera, the Kodak Recomar 33 takes what is called 9x12cm film. (89mm x 119mm) or (3-1/2" x 4-11/16"), just a bit smaller than 4x5, using the film holders supplied. ...

Thank you! That would explain why I saw 6x9 holders in the same cabinet.

John Shriver · Feb 15, 2016

Actually, the Recomar 33 takes either plate/film holders in 9x12 cm size or 3-1/4x4-1/4 inch size.

rrunnertexas · Feb 29, 2016

I just happened across a Recomar 33 in similar condition. Hope to have it this week and try it out.

Looking at those old negatives is really something neat. Thanks for sharing those!

removed account4 · Feb 29, 2016

dannL

did it come with the "kodachrome back" ?
if so, you are a lucky-duck !

Kth88 · Nov 21, 2022

I am really late to this thread but I am absolutely LOVING this! I absolutely love finding and developing old film in cameras like this. I have a film pack back right now that has half the negatives shot. I'm planning on shooting the rest myself (at a very, very low ISO) and then seeing if I can get any results. Also, I just picked up a Recomar 18 (the smaller version of your camera) and am looking for film backs to use with it. did you ever develop the last couple of negatives from your pack?

Plate Camera found with Exposed Film. Kodak Recomar 33

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