Old Cameras

For someone who places no importance as to what camera was used to produce an image, I'm fascinated by old cameras and have a fairly eclectic collection. Several members have asked about these oldies so I'll do a few 'reviews' as and when time allows.

I'll start with my oldest and my rarest cameras.

The big folder dates to the turn of the last century, it can be anywhere between 1880 and 1910. The only marking, apart from the lens, is on the case and says 'The Carbine'. Cameras bearing this name were made by at least three firms, Ensign, Butcher and Houghton. I think from the general construction of  my camera that it's a Houghton from about 1900; it can use either plates or roll film. The lens is marked 'extra rapid rectilinear f=8'. When you consider that a very fast film was about the equivalent of ISO10 and this is fitted with a fast f8 lens it's no wonder tripods became popular!

The shutter is interesting as it works with pneumatic pistons; speeds are T, B, 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100. It still works though how  accurately I'd not say.
When time allows it needs a bit of TLC but it's not in bad nick  for about 115 years old, few of the modern offerings will last that long in  working order.

The rarest camera in my collection is the Voigtlander Vito III; only 1600 were made between 1949 and 1952 . Based on the much more popular and common interchangeable lens  prominent it is considered by many to be the finest folding 35mm rangefinder ever made, it’s certainly well engineered as one would expect from a German camera of that period. Mine is one of the latter ones as it’s fitted with a Synchro-Compur shutter in the superb Ulitron f2 lens, earlier versions had Prontor shutters. Nearly 65 years old and it still works perfectly, I use it occasionally, just to keep the old girl ticking and also for the pure pleasure of using a precision hand made piece of equipment rather than something assembled by computers.

The rangefinder is controlled by the large knob, which incorporates  a DoF scale, on the right looking at the front of the camera, this balances the rewind knob on the other side making for a very neat looking camera.

Tony Middleton