50's Cameras

[ErectedGryphon]

So I went to the highly advertised (it was posted on craigslist) "Houston Camera Show" yesterday. I drove an hour south to get there, and paid my $5 to get in. As soon as I got in the door I was rushed by 3 poorly dressed "Vultures" asking if I was selling any gear (I had my backpack over my shoulder).

After telling these "Vultures" to buzz off, I started to look around, and though I didn't actually expect much, I was sorely disappointed when I saw only 5 vendors.

So I strolled the show room floor, which took about 30 seconds, and the newest camera there was the Canon 10D, and nothing better than beat up kit lenses.

Well, in order to at least feel like I got my $5 worth I slowly browsed the tables, one of which had boxes on the table with no organization at all, the boxes reminded me of my kitchens junk drawer.

I spent $25 on the "Lenspen Panamatic" mainly cause I might want to try it someday, but then I went over to the guy selling old beat up cameras, and ended up buying two of his $10 each classics, because he offered the price of two for $15.

These were the two best looking cameras on the table, I realize the Ricohflex is missing the front leather, but that is the only problem I can find between the two, they both function as far as I can tell without shooting any film.

Research suggest the Kodak was produced between 1950 and 1954; the Ricohflex was a short lived 1953 - 1954 run. So with out further ado; here they are; feel free to C&C, I'd like pointers on product shooting.

Thanks!

 

[bigmike]

I'm falling in love. I am an obsessive fan of all things twin lens reflex

 

[cooltouch]

Hey Jeff,

Geez, I live in Houston, and I wasn't aware of this show. I guess if the extent of the advertising was Craigslist, that might explain why. Five vendors? Man, that's too bad.

I used to be one of those vendors back in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. Back then, I lived in SoCal, and did all the local shows, a few San Francisco and San Diego shows, plus the big regional ones, and once a year, in January, I'd make the road trip to do the Houston/New Orleans/Dallas shows. Back in those days, the Houston show was the biggest of the three and very well attended. My, how things have changed.

Glad to read you found a couple of gems, though.

 

[Mitica100]

Cool! Let me know if you want to re-leather the front of the Ricoh and I'll show you how to do it for cheap.

 

[ErectedGryphon]

Cool! Let me know if you want to re-leather the front of the Ricoh and I'll show you how to do it for cheap.

Releathering would be awsome, just remember I paid $7.50 for the camera, so I don't want to spend alot. Odds are it will never actually see film.

 

[Mitica100]

PM sent.

 

[compur]

I've been frequenting camera shows since the 1970s and they're certainly not
what they used to be in terms of size and selection compared to their pre-
digital heyday. But, here in Southern California they are still large enough to
be fun and offer a good selection of cameras (mostly film, some digital) and
equipment.

I was at the Pasadena Camera Show yesterday and there were (as usual)
30-40 sellers offering everything from sub-miniature cameras to 8x10 view
cameras as well as a number of digital SLRs and many lenses and other
accessories and film.

 

[cooltouch]

I've been frequenting camera shows since the 1970s and they're certainly not
what they used to be in terms of size and selection compared to their pre-
digital heyday. But, here in Southern California they are still large enough to
be fun and offer a good selection of cameras (mostly film, some digital) and
equipment.

I was at the Pasadena Camera Show yesterday and there were (as usual)
30-40 sellers offering everything from sub-miniature cameras to 8x10 view
cameras as well as a number of digital SLRs and many lenses and other
accessories and film.

I'm glad to hear they're still around out there. Is this the montly Pasadena show that Anton (forget his last name) ran/runs? Still at the Elks Club?

Or was this the big Collector's show that happened a couple times a year?

How about Buena Park? I imaging Bill Bagnall's not around anymore, but his kids were pretty much running the show by the mid-90s.

Huh. Next time I make a trip out to SoCal, I'll have to time it to take in a show. It'll bring back some memories, and maybe I'll even see a few old familiar faces.

 

[Buckster]

Love the cameras. I've got quite a few bargain basement oldies myself - can't resist them for $5-$25 when I see them, depending on what they are and how what kind of shape they're in. Always fun.

On the photo, I think just a bit more DOF than f2.8, so that you can get the detail on the front of both cameras sharp, at least. The Duaflex front panel looks pretty sharp, but not so much the Ricohflex. I'd also give them just a bit of room between them, and maybe diffuse the lights somewhat to soften or eliminate the shadows.

The square format is interesting, fitting for a shot of a couple of TLRs.

 

[compur]

I'm glad to hear they're still around out there. Is this the montly Pasadena show that Anton (forget his last name) ran/runs? Still at the Elks Club?

Yes on both. The web site is here:
Bargain Camera Show

How about Buena Park? I imaging Bill Bagnall's not around anymore, but his kids were pretty much running the show by the mid-90s.

This show is now held in Anaheim every other month. Their web site is here:
Bagnall's Monthly CAMERA EXPO ~ Welcome!

 

[cooltouch]

I'm glad to hear they're still around out there. Is this the montly Pasadena show that Anton (forget his last name) ran/runs? Still at the Elks Club?

Yes on both. The web site is here:
Bargain Camera Show

How about Buena Park? I imaging Bill Bagnall's not around anymore, but his kids were pretty much running the show by the mid-90s.

This show is now held in Anaheim every other month. Their web site is here:
Bagnall's Monthly CAMERA EXPO ~ Welcome!

Thanks for the links. Looking through the photos brings back memories. Looks like the dealers haven't turned over much inventory in the past 15 years, either. A lot of the same stuff I saw back then's still sitting on their tables

 

[compur]

Thanks for the links. Looking through the photos brings back memories. Looks like the dealers haven't turned over much inventory in the past 15 years, either. A lot of the same stuff I saw back then's still sitting on their tables

Many of the the same classic models from 15 years ago? Yes.

But, the same exact cameras from 15 years ago? Definitely not.

 

[cooltouch]

Agreed. That's what the smiley was for.