What camera shot 127.

RPippin · Aug 11, 2009

I'm hoping someone can help me narrow down the search for the possible model of my first camera. This is the one that got me started in photography. It was in Kairserslatern Germany around 1959. My father was stationed there in the military and the camera was bought local, probably inexpensive, and shot 127 film. I lusted after a 35mm SLR, but couldn't afford it. I do remember being quite active and shot lots of slides of the countryside around "K Town" as well as black and white still lifes. I do not remember the brand of the camera, bummer, but being an odd format, and given the limited choices back then, I'm hoping someone else might have some info to help me in my research. Thanks.

Fotoguy20d · Aug 11, 2009

Unfortunately, a lot of cameras back then used 127 film (wasn't really an odd format in its day - Kodak still made color 127 film until the mid-1980s). I have an Ihagee Parvola from the 1930s which takes 6x4.5 images on 127 - that's a fairly unique model though, having a helical thread for lens extension and focusing instead of bellows. I think there was also a baby Rolleicord (flex?) that made a 4x4 image on 127. I recently got a Vest Pocket Kodak Model B which I believe also used 127.

Dan

Jeff L · Aug 11, 2009

Look under the Cameras tab. http://toybox.twisted.org.uk/~moondog/127/
Lots of them listed there.

BradS · Aug 11, 2009

you might also find it at Ian's 127 website: http://www.onetwoseven.org.uk/

railwayman3 · Aug 11, 2009

Can you remember the number of exposures per film for your particular camera - that might narrow it down a bit?

The backing paper of 127 film was numbered for either 16, 12, or 8 exp per film. 12 exposures gave square negatives or transparencies of about 40 x 40 mm, which were often mounted in similar 50 mm square frames as were 35 mm for projection. (promoted as "Superslides", IIRC?)

Lightproof · Aug 11, 2009

Bilora comes into my mind. Do you remember what kind of camera it was? TLR, Folder, Box, ...?

elekm · Aug 12, 2009

Kodak introduced VP (Vest Pocket) 127 film in 1912.

I can't even hazard a guess as to how many different camera models there were, but they covered everything from folding cameras (German, Japanese and American) to twin-lens reflex (German and Japanese) to simple plastic point-and-shoot designs to nearly everything in between.

Did your camera focus? Was it a folding camera? A twin-lens reflex? A box camera? A plastic camera?

The range of available cameras is enormous. Definitely need more information.

PentaxBlue · Aug 13, 2009

Some sources for 127

There are several sources for 127 film still. It is relatively inexpensive compared to 122.

BH carries Efke 100 B&W, Velvia 100 color, Kodak Portra 160NC ranging from $4.95 to $12 per roll.

The Frugal Photographer has the Blue Fire Murano 160 in 127.

Central Camera also has color and B&W but their prices are a bit high. They also carry 116 and 122, 124, 126, 620 and 828.

Now that the film is out of the way, the Exakta took 127 film from the 30s into the 40s. I guess that makes it one of the earliest medium format reflex cameras.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/336/Other_Film_Formats_110_127_620_828.html

http://www.frugalphotographer.com/cat127.htm

http://www.centralcamera.com/Film/Film-for-Older-Cameras/index-s-orderby-sd-0-pg-1.html

What camera shot 127.

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