What is the oldest functional camera you have?

Kodachromeguy · Dec 13, 2017

Hi Everyone, mine is not all that old: a 1949 Leica IIIC, just overhauled by Don Goldberg in Wisconsin. My dad bought this camera new when he worked on Guam. The Summitar lens has feet on the focus scale, so it was intended for the USA market.

Helios 1984 · Dec 14, 2017

My 1957 Topcon 35-L which was a paperweight when I acquired it.

Gerald C Koch · Dec 14, 2017

A Kodak Brownie for 120 film circa 1920.

Pioneer · Dec 14, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
As of today, a 1934 Leica III:

View attachment 188026

Hey, that looks like mine, with the exception of that interesting cone of shame around the shutter button.

rjmeyer314 · Jan 3, 2018

A 4x5 Revolving Back Auto Graflex, made between 1906 and 1908.

Arbitrarium · Jan 4, 2018

I've got a Kodak Retina II (Type 014) and a Zeiss Ikonta 521, both from about 1950 I think. Both working perfectly. But looking at this thread, 70 years old is nothing!

ME Super · Jan 12, 2018

Here's my newest oldest functional camera:

It's a Kodak Browne 2A model B. It takes 116 film. I need to figure out how to adapt it to take 120 since 116 is no longer made.

I got it from my parents as a Christmas present since they know how much I like old cameras...

mikemgb · Jan 12, 2018

ME Super said:
Here's my newest oldest functional camera:
View attachment 193427
It's a Kodak Browne 2A model B. It takes 116 film. I need to figure out how to adapt it to take 120 since 116 is no longer made.

I got it from my parents as a Christmas present since they know how much I like old cameras...

https://www.camerhack.it/product/fak-116-film-adapter-kit/

kintatsu · Jan 13, 2018

Leica III from about 1936, Nettar 516 from 1937, and an Ikoflex from about 1943. I also have a 1958 Altissar, which was a gift. It was the last the company produced before nationalization by the East Germans. I've shot on all of them.

Semjaja · Jan 13, 2018

Oldest camera I own that works is a Sanderson Roll Film from around 1902.
Oldest cameras that I actually use are a Leica III and a Rolleiflex Old Standard, both from around 1934.

Farrarj86 · Jan 18, 2018

A Zeiss Maximar 207/7 I use fairly regularly. From the 1920s

John_Nikon_F · Jan 23, 2018

Currently, a 48 year old Nikomat FTn. Meter is slightly erratic, but useable. Might be due to the 03/2014 expiration date PX625A battery. Needs foam, then it should be good to go.

baachitraka · Jan 23, 2018

Zeiss Baby Tengor (plain hexagonal and hexgonal with Novar lens).

Yes · Feb 14, 2018

Zeiss Super Nettel. Works wonderfully after sending it Petrakla for a tune-up and ribbon shutter replacement.

jimjm · Feb 14, 2018

Eastman View No.2 5x7 from around 1915, with a Wollensak Velostigmat 7" lens from the same time period. Everything has been restored and made light-tight, new ground glass, carrying handle and lens boards.

Just found some Eastman plate holders in good shape, and purchased some 5x7 dry plates from Nodda Duma here on PHOTRIO.

This weekend will be the first time it's been used in probably 50 years or more.

bd3 · Feb 16, 2018

I have a 1939 Miniature Speed Graphic. Everything seems to work. I use a Graflex 22 holder with it.

Agulliver · Jun 27, 2018

Agulliver said:
Either my Kodak Brownie 2E, or Kodak Pocket 1. Both probably date from circa 1920

Oldest in regular use is a Zeiss-Ikon 520/16 from the mid/late 1930s.

So to update, I have dated the Brownie to 1917 and it's certainly the oldest camera I own....and it's functional....I put a test film through it in September 2017 and then took it on a short break to Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey in April this year.

Lee Rust · Jun 27, 2018

RB Tele Graflex circa 1919, with bag mags.

Pentode · Jun 27, 2018

My great grandmother’s Kodak #1a Autographic Jr. from about 100 years ago still works fine, although I seldom use it.

BradS · Jun 27, 2018

My three oldest cameras are all from about 1951~1952

Leica iiif
Franka Rolfix
Graflex Crown Graphic.

All three work perfectly and, when the guy setting the controls does his part, each is capable of making nice negatives.

Pentode · Jun 27, 2018

Pentode said:
My great grandmother’s Kodak #1a Autographic Jr. from about 100 years ago still works fine, although I seldom use it.

I stand corrected: It turns out her camera is a #2, not a 1a. It also turns out that I have (and forgot about) another distant relative's Kodak #2a, which I've never used because it takes 116 film. They're both about 100 years old and I just checked them out a few minutes ago - no light leaks in the bellows, shutters fire, apertures work smoothly. So I guess it's a tie; they're both about the same age and they both work.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 27, 2018

Pentode said:
... Kodak #2a, which I've never used because it takes 116 film.
...

This 116-120 adapter may work:

https://www.camerhack.it/product/fak-116-film-adapter-kit/

.

Mr Flibble · Jun 28, 2018

Kodak Folding Pocket (pre-)No.0 from 1898.
120 spools are a bit of a tight fit, but they work in it.

darkosaric · Jun 28, 2018

Mr Flibble said:
Kodak Folding Pocket (pre-)No.0 from 1898.
120 spools are a bit of a tight fit, but they work in it.

Is the lens inside, or how this works ?

Pentode · Jun 28, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
This 116-120 adapter may work:

https://www.camerhack.it/product/fak-116-film-adapter-kit/

.

Oh, I’m sure it would. Truth is these cameras are a bit of a chore to use so I only ever bothered with the #2 as it already takes 120 film. I’m not sure how much I’d really be gaining by getting the #2a to use 120 as the two cameras are pretty comparable.

What is the oldest functional camera you have?

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