Just the other day in the OR: Crystar Gendis II

[smithdan]

Another one of my junk store rescues gets a turn. Half the roll shot but waiting for warmer weather to finish. Think Crystar made a bunch of these under different brands in the mid to late 50's.

The glass looked pretty good, nice and clear with even coatings, rather strange to be found along with the poor mechanical quality of the rest of the camera.

It's all taped up just in case. I do that to all of my oldies after loading. Pix to follow hopefully.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Haven't heard of these but a nice looking camera. Nice work layout you've got going, I've tinkered some but haven't yet taken a camera apart, one of these days I'll have to try it with a non-working junker. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[minicoop1985]

That screwdriver set looks awfully familiar...

Very interesting camera. I agree-I've never heard of such a thing. Great job though.

 

[Derrel]

WWW.TLR-CAMERAS.COM

Its design reminds me of the Ricohflex I have. A LOT of small TLR makers sprung up in Japan in the 1950's.

 

[smithdan]

Haven't heard of these but a nice looking camera. Nice work layout you've got going, I've tinkered some but haven't yet taken a camera apart, one of these days I'll have to try it with a non-working junker. Thanks for sharing that.

you could turn it into a working junker...

 

[smithdan]

Remains to be seen how it works. Previous fixup (Vitomatic I) was somewhat dissapointing but I may have asked too much of it (harsh light) and miserably cold fingers.

 

[webestang64]

WWW.TLR-CAMERAS.COM

Its design reminds me of the Ricohflex I have. A LOT of small TLR makers sprung up in Japan in the 1950's.

I have a Super Ricohflex. Found at a garage sale for $1, even had a steel 120 reel inside.

Nice work on the Gendis.......another lives to see the light!

 

[dxqcanada]

Nice looking junk. The body looks in great condition.
Looks like you setup your work area for the shot ... mine, not so neat.
I wish I had more junk stores around, as I am running out of items to fix.

 

[smithdan]

Some of these old crocks have been in and out of boxes for some 20 years now. Finally have the time to play with them.

Good finds are getting scarce. Picked up a Voigtlander Vitomatic I and a Kodak Pony 828 last month for $50 with a Minolta Himatic G2 thrown in. Don't usually pounce on the newer ones but the G2 reminded me of my long gone Oly trip 35.

and if I don't keep the work space tidy I loose some fiddly bits.

thanks for the comments everybody

 

[smithdan]

Sadly, the operation wasn't a success. Dry firing worked great but shutter sticks open in use probably because the release lever is pushed more slowly. Ate up a roll of FP4. Back on the shelf for now and will rip it apart again later.

 

[webestang64]

Sadly, the operation wasn't a success. Dry firing worked great but shutter sticks open in use probably because the release lever is pushed more slowly. Ate up a roll of FP4. Back on the shelf for now and will rip it apart again later.

At least you gave it a try......makes me want to dig through my collection and clean/fix one up....! I do use a 1950's Foldlux 620 regularly.

 

[minicoop1985]

You win some, you lose some. I'm losing against a Canon FTb that sometimes just decides it isn't going to fire. Gave it a CLA and it works, but the slow speed mechanism isn't always catching. Don't feel bad, just don't give up on fixing these things. Besides, broken is the best way to get a Rolleiflex.

 

[smithdan]

Sadly, the operation wasn't a success. Dry firing worked great but shutter sticks open in use probably because the release lever is pushed more slowly. Ate up a roll of FP4. Back on the shelf for now and will rip it apart again later.

At least you gave it a try......makes me want to dig through my collection and clean/fix one up....! I do use a 1950's Foldlux 620 regularly.

I like shooting those old folders. In the middle of repairing a mid 30's Kodak Senior 620, bellows patching otherwise OK.

 

[smithdan]

You win some, you lose some. I'm losing against a Canon FTb that sometimes just decides it isn't going to fire. Gave it a CLA and it works, but the slow speed mechanism isn't always catching. Don't feel bad, just don't give up on fixing these things. Besides, broken is the best way to get a Rolleiflex.

now that would be worth the effort. My 500C on long term loan arrived because it was jammed up again and the previous owner was tired of sending it out for repair.

Not done with the Gendis yet but perhaps if I really have the urge to shoot 6x6......


AND.. nice work on the Rolleiflex! just noticed that

 

[webestang64]

Sadly, the operation wasn't a success. Dry firing worked great but shutter sticks open in use probably because the release lever is pushed more slowly. Ate up a roll of FP4. Back on the shelf for now and will rip it apart again later.

At least you gave it a try......makes me want to dig through my collection and clean/fix one up....! I do use a 1950's Foldlux 620 regularly.

I like shooting those old folders. In the middle of repairing a mid 30's Kodak Senior 620, bellows patching otherwise OK.

Nice. I'll have to post a few pics of my "$1" cameras.