Vintage camera

[voodoopenguin]

Do people still use cameras like these other than for fun? I don't even know if you can get film for it still. Personally I love it for its looks so even if it cannot be used it will have a good position on a shelf in my study.








Two more pictures to see, click on the thumbnails.

[jeffNOTjon]

120 film still readily available at pro photo shops, happy shooting!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controll...e?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=331

[JoeBob]

Rolleis are very nice cameras.
My buddys brother is pro, and he has a room full of them. ($$$$$$$$$$)

Like you say, it will look nice in your study, if not in working condition.

[rgG]

Are those Christmas lights I see in the background? It is February, you know.

[NOGoddess]

Yes, my husband regularly shoots with his vintage twin lens. We've got about 40-50 vintage cameras, but not all are in quite good enough shape to shoot with and some we haven't gotten around to testing. As jeffnotjon said, look for 120 film. And if you end up with any vintage cameras that can't use 120, Kodak periodically remakes old films - one of these days I'll get some film for my grandfather's first camera - one of Kodak's original point and shoots from 1915. Grandpa was smart enough to write down the type of film inside the camera case...

[voodoopenguin]

[quote rgG]Are those Christmas lights I see in the background? It is February, you know.
Yes they are lights that can be used at Christmas but when we built our conservatory we put a string of them around the whole room. Looks lovely at night in any season. We also have a string of them around the top of our fourposter bed. Makes a pretty effect and gives enough light to read by as well. Both lots do not flash and have clear bulbs.

Oh and I also like to look in the background of photos to see interesting things. EBay listings can show the most bizzarre backgrounds.

[karsen]

The most famous living photographer I can think of (at the moment) uses them.

http://www.clydebutcher.com/

[lafinfil]

The Rollie's are a interesting and very collectable breed - I've owned a few in the past

There are basically Rolliecords - like yours and Rollieflex which were considered "pro models"
There are a few differences between the 'cords and the 'flex - but the primary difference
is the quality of the lens used - Planar and Xenotar lenses, lenses speed 2.8 or 3.5 vs 4.5
and things like the 'flex used a self cocking lens and a "advance crank" where the consumer oriented
'cords had a manual cocking shutter and an "advance knob"

There were Baby Rollies that used 127 film , the standards that used 120 and even the rare
Rollie Giants or Studios that used 9x9 film

So here's what I think that you have -

From the picure it appears you have a Rolliecord Art Deco that had a Zeiss f4.5 Triotar lens
These were early 3 element amateur lenses mounted in a rim set Compur shutter
This camera was probably built in 1933 -36 and if the nickel trim work (art deco) finish
is in good condition I would guess it is quite desirable on the collectors market because
of the limited years it was produced and the novelty of the art deco design.

Here are a couple of links -

http://johnsrolleionlypage.homestead.com...cords.html
http://johnsrolleionlypage.homestead.com..._words.jpg

Rolleicord 1 (Type 1) Art Deco.
1933-1936.
Production Serial Numbers: 1.460.000-1.760.000.

"The only Roleicord (and the only Rollei product) which featured the art-deco nickel plated design work.
Eye level sports finder, exposure guide plus depth of field scales on back, external frame counter.
Back could not be removed on the early models, but this was changed at about 33,552."

* I see from your photo the serial # on the lens is 148xxxx - so it is probably 1936

Value ? Hmmmm - I personally would keep it as a collector but here is an ebay listing
http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLLEICORD-1-TYPE-1-...otohosting
Buy It Now - a little under $300 but he might be wishing - I have seen them go for $100 too
Things like clarity on lens (no fungus or fogging) silvering on the mirror, shutter condition
are things that generally effect these but the cosmetics of the "deco" finish on this model
would probably effect the price and desirability of this particular model

If you decide to have it CLA's (clean lubed adjusted ) make sure it goes to a Rollie specialist
and not to a general repair guy. Those Compurs are great old shutters and can usually
be broght back tolife by someone that knows what they are doing .

Do not force it if it is stuck - if it is working cycling it may loosen it up but a good CLA would be in order.

[voodoopenguin]

Thank you lafinfil.

This came into my possession from my late father-in-law's estate a year or so ago. I had done a little research and got that it was the Art Deco model and it was interesting to see that any pictures I found of these cameras for sale on eBay showed them to be in worse condition than mine. The first time I opened the case (leather, right size but not original) I fell in love with it. A beautiful object indeed and I have no desire, and fortunately at present. no need to sell it.

As I said I had found out the Art Deco model name but I greatly appreciate all the extra information you have provided, many thanks.

[lafinfil]

[quote NOGoddess] ... Kodak periodically remakes old films - one of these days I'll get some film for my grandfather's first camera - one of Kodak's original point and shoots from 1915. Grandpa was smart enough to write down the type of film inside the camera case...
Well Kodak used to but I'm sure they don't do it any longer

If it takes 620 film it is physically the same size as 120 but the film spool is different.
If you have access to a darkroom and a little patience (and some 620 spools) you can
rewind the 120 film onto a 620 spool.

The Kodak Medalist was a favorite collectable that uses 620 and some folks have them
converted to use 120. Ken Ruth at Photography On Bald Mountain is the guy for this job

http://www.baldmtn.com/

Some people will also buy up the old junky cameras that use 620 just for the spools
and sell them for a couple of bucks a piece