I’d been strangely unsatisfied with the Cresta 3, the third of Kodak UK’s Bakelite Brownies for 120 film. But could its glass lens predecessor be a better choice ? It is but you all need to brace youselves in more ways than one.
Continue reading Brace Yerself – The Kodak Brownie Cresta II ReviewTag Archives: 1950’s
The Lada of The Camera World OR NOT ?- The Halina 35X Review
“The nice thing about the Halina 35x is you’re not likely to get mugged for it and if you do you can use it as a deadly weapon.” The poor Hong Kong made 35x is the butt of many a joke and scorn in the camera world.
But this 1959 “Empire Made” viewfinder did sell rather well and has cult following amongst some. So is it really all that bad?
Continue reading The Lada of The Camera World OR NOT ?- The Halina 35X Review
Brummie Deco – the Curious case of the Coronet REX Flash
Launched in the 1950’s the Coronet 6-6 was yet another no frills Bakelite roll film camera, But the folks at Coronet decided to re-brand this camera as the Rex Flash. But is it King or just Flash in the pan.
Continue reading Brummie Deco – the Curious case of the Coronet REX FlashBalda Baldessa LF 2 Roll Review – The Clockwork Camera
I’d been after a Baldessa for a while. Balda was another legendary German camera maker decimated by the rise of Japanese compacts in the 1960’s and its Baldessa series take on a 35mm compact.
Sadly my shutter went at some point in my first 2 rolls but did this camera tempt me back for another or was it auf wiedersehen ? Continue reading Balda Baldessa LF 2 Roll Review – The Clockwork Camera
Agfa Click Review – Retro Curveball
This Vintage number looks positively Art Deco but actually hails from the late 50’s and had a run into the 70’s
Widely available this makes an interesting alternative to the Holga or Diana F+. Continue reading Agfa Click Review – Retro Curveball
Voigtländer Vito B Review – I’m sexy and I know it
If the Olympus Trip 35 became the classic P&S during the 60’s-70’s, that title was likely held by Voigtländer in the 50’s with this all time classic of German Engineering
Still a thing of beauty to hold and use today. This wonderfully engineered has picked up a classic tag. And for once it deserves but you need to pick your version wisely young Jedi. Continue reading Voigtländer Vito B Review – I’m sexy and I know it
A Braun Paxette Review : A shape of what would come
I’ve a bit of a thing for German Cameras of the late 50’s and 60’s. I still miss my Boots badged Franka 125 and the German made Ilford sportsman was one of the Joys from the Poundland Challenge. I’ve always fancied a legendary Braun Paxette series camera and a viewfinder version came my way a few weeks ago
But was it Braw or Poxy ? Continue reading A Braun Paxette Review : A shape of what would come
Ilford Sportsman Review : Poundland Challenge Camera No 5
This ended up being my first truly vintage pound or less camera. This scale focus number was launched in 1959 as an update to the Mark I launched a couple of years earlier (the mark III was in by the end of 1959 !!). But how does Ilford’s challenger to Kodak’s retina/retinette measure up ?
Continue reading Ilford Sportsman Review : Poundland Challenge Camera No 5
The Fujica 35 Automagic Review : Futuristic 50’s Automagic
This 50’s rarity is arguable one of the first metered 35mm point and shooters (P&S) on the market and whilst basic and bulky had much in the ways of the compact P&S like the Olympus Trip 35 that followed it a decade plus later. And you know something, it still works and takes pretty good shots. Continue reading The Fujica 35 Automagic Review : Futuristic 50’s Automagic
Bencini Koroll 24s Review : The canny man’s vintage 120 film camera
This quite gorgeous lump of Aluminium hails from 50’s Italy. It’s a pretty basic 120 film camera from the era but has a couple of trump cards to play. It’s first trick is that it’s a half frame (3×4.5cm) camera allowing you to take a whooping 24 shots on a roll of 120 film. Continue reading Bencini Koroll 24s Review : The canny man’s vintage 120 film camera