What is the oldest functional camera you have?

georg16nik · Nov 12, 2014

1930 Leica I

ChuckP · Nov 12, 2014

Mine is probably the Zeiss 207/7 9x12cm Maximars. The ones I use have a Tessar in the later rim set Compur shutter. Love that geared rise and shift. And they can take very good pictures.

Fixcinater · Nov 12, 2014

Right now it's a Rolleicord IIb from '38-ish. Was sitting on shelf for quite a while as decoration, I bought it and dove into the shutter as it wasn't cocking correctly. Couple bent actuating arms later, it's firing fine and much smoother but still needs a new mirror.

It's the model with the odd double mirror setup in the hood, so you can use it as an eye level.

Kawaiithulhu · Nov 12, 2014

I've moved the clock back recently, I guess if exposure times of 1-10 seconds in the sun is usable... A 1905-ish Montgomery Ward #8 4x5 dry plate folder. The lens was nasty but with a little careful work and big pile of q-tips it cleaned up quite nicely. Shutter works amazingly well, I got lucky that nothing was bent or stuck. I've got holders and I'll be trying some plates this Christmas season.

Peltigera · Nov 12, 2014

My oldest camera is a Ica Icarette from between 1918 and 1926. I haven't actually used it but it is in full working condition.

Pioneer · Nov 12, 2014

One of my Icarettes work as well though they both were built after the join with Zeiss Ikon, whenever that was. Actually the other one works as well though the light leaks are so bad that it is almost impossible to see a picture. I have seriously considered using the dark cloth over the top trick but haven't gotten around to it.

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 12, 2014

Peltigera said:
My oldest camera is a Ica Icarette from between 1918 and 1926. I haven't actually used it but it is in full working condition.

I've these before on eBay, how is it? Looks cool! Is it 4x5, or 6X6?

wombat2go · Nov 12, 2014

1936 Zeiss Ikon Nettar with Nettar-Anastigmat f/6.3 f=10,5 cm scaled in units of foot.

This camera although small,
takes a full 6 x 9 cm image on 120 film while all the later MF cameras in my collection are 6x8 or 6x7.

It can "just" expose Fuji 400 C41 in sunlight at its minumum f/22 and 125th and next time I will surely use Ektar 100.
https://app.box.com/s/2vvkg62b2gt3lavig368

Ken Nadvornick · Nov 12, 2014

Good thread. I really enjoy seeing everyone's vintage cameras.

Ken

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 12, 2014

wombat2go said:
1936 Zeiss Ikon Nettar with Nettar-Anastigmat f/6.3 f=10,5 cm scaled in units of foot.

This camera although small,
takes a full 6 x 9 cm image on 120 film while all the later MF cameras in my collection are 6x8 or 6x7.

It can "just" expose Fuji 400 C41 in sunlight at its minumum f/22 and 125th and next time I will surely use Ektar 100.
https://app.box.com/s/2vvkg62b2gt3lavig368

This sounds very interesting and promising I think I'll look in to this more!

Theo Sulphate · Nov 12, 2014

I've really enjoyed hearing about these older cameras and seeing the photos. Thanks, everyone!

wombat2go said:
1936 Zeiss Ikon Nettar with Nettar-
Anastigmat f/6.3 f=10,5 cm scaled in units of foot.

This camera although small,takes a full 6 x 9 cm image on 120 film while all the later MF cameras in my collection are 6x8 or 6x7.
https://app.box.com/s/2vvkg62b2gt3lavig368

There's even one of these on eBay now with a 75mm lens.

railwayman3 · Nov 13, 2014

Nothing exciting or exotic, but a Kodak Brownie 127 from around 1958 (going by the printing date on the instruction leaflet). Solid bakelite, retro design and a simple well-made one-speed shutter. "Made in England by Kodak Limited, London".

Gives sharp pictures at 6x4 ("enprints" at that time), and even good for the occasional enlargements. Would have been a perfect camera for a young starter photographer, or as a family camera for the holiday and special-occasion snaps. The only omission is any means to use flash. But having just 8 pictures on one roll of 127 film would have encouraged you to think carefully and compose the picture before pressing the button!

pdeeh · Nov 13, 2014

I have a lovely Bessa 6x9 on loan to me at the moment which I think is probably from the 1930s. It works perfectly - not a trace of fungus, light-tight bellows, shutter fine, just a hint of haze. Takes a very nice picture, as they say.

I've also got a Wray barrel lens for 5x4 that seems likely to be from the 1890s, also just about perfect as something that's been around for the best part of 120-130 years could be when it's been used.

Xmas · Nov 13, 2014

railwayman3 said:
But having just 8 pictures on one roll of 127 film would have encouraged you to think carefully and compose the picture before pressing the button!

Well You needed to wind on immediately after each shot as there was no double exposure prevention.
Mine seemed new fangled when I got it from fav Aunt about '58, other cameras in family were several decades older.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 13, 2014

I have a Box Tengor Zeiss Ikon with Goerz lens from 1924. It works like new after 90 years and takes amazing pictures. Thanks to internet and epay to soak me in to debt.

Peltigera · Nov 13, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
I've these before on eBay, how is it? Looks cool! Is it 4x5, or 6X6?

6x6. It actually takes 117 film but that is the same as 120 but on a different spool - so the deal is the same as for 620 cameras: rewind 120 onto the old spools.

tessar · Nov 13, 2014

1931 3x4 Graflex SLR, functional and in use as a portrait camera with rollfilm holder.

Andrew K · Nov 13, 2014

Folding Pocket Kodak c 1892
Kodak Premo #6 c1899

English Full Plate camera c1880

Oldest SLR is a Graflex is a 3A c 1920 - it's been converted to shoot 6X12 panoramas on 120

pgomena · Nov 14, 2014

1895 Rochester Optical Company 6.5x8.5 "Standard." I use new glass on it, but the bones of the camera are good and perfectly capable of producing sharp negatives. I love it!

MontanaJay · Nov 14, 2014

I have my grandfather's 3A folding Brownie from about 1902, but more importantly a cigar box of his negatives.
But my oldest is a Blair wood box 4x5 glass plate camera, from about 1895.

Denverdad · Nov 15, 2014

Great thread! In fact it inspired me to see if I could date my oldest functional camera, this Kodak No. 2A Brownie Model B. From everything I can find online about this model, I think I can deduce that this one was manufactured sometime between 1911 and 1917.

I purchased the camera two years ago primarily for the roll of exposed film inside. It turned out to be Verichrome (non-Pan) and yielded what are probably my oldest found film images to date - from the '40's I would estimate.

Andy38 · Nov 20, 2014

Hello,
I often use old cameras, people in the environs know me as a vintage photographer because I show them while using. They all have to be functional.
I use for example this french wooden 1900 Gaumont or this german 1911 ICA Ideal, all in 13 x 18 cm.
But I prefer SLR's, because they are easier to use ; that is why I have some Graflex's : 2 weeks ago, it was with a later 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Super D (1947)

rjs003 · Nov 20, 2014

5x7 Ansco, it's old then me and it works better them me, still use it from time to time.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 21, 2014

Balda III of 1923 6x9 on 120 roll film;just one speed (1/60s)and 3 f/stops(f/8,11&22).

R.Gould · Nov 21, 2014

1938 Voigtlander bessa 66, the Baby Bessa, with a prontor II shutter and Vasker uncoated lens
Richard

What is the oldest functional camera you have?

georg16nik

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ChuckP

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Fixcinater

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Peltigera

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aRolleiBrujo

wombat2go

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Ken Nadvornick

aRolleiBrujo

Theo Sulphate

railwayman3

pdeeh

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Mustafa Umut Sarac

Peltigera

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tessar

Andrew K

pgomena

MontanaJay

Denverdad

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Andy38

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rjs003

RalphLambrecht

R.Gould

What is the oldest functional camera you have?

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