Should I Buy All This Stuff?!?!

[Designer]

I'd go real easy on cleaning materials. I was thinking glass cleaner on a soft cloth. Or make your own with a little vinegar in water.

As for rejuvenating leather bellows I would guess something like Armour-All (?)

 

[tirediron]

Looks like a good haul and just those few things definitely make it worth the $100 - I LOVE those little monoculars!

 

[sm4him]

"Monocular"....as in one-half of a binocular!!! Ohhh, I used to have an old monocular, a 7x35, made back in the 1960's...it was fun to use.

I have a few small Ednalite filters in cases and original paper boxes. Ednalite was a popular filter brand back in the day. YES, those were called "Series" filters, and they fit into a holder, with a front, screw-in retaining ring. The "series adapter" was made in multiple sizes, like V, VI, VII, corresponding to diameters. MANY 35mm cameras of the 1940's and 1950's had relatively small-diameter lenses, which meant that a 39mm diameter (something like that, not sure really, but by today's standards, the series mount filters were "tiny") filter would cover the front lens with PLENTY of room to spare. So....filter makers made thread-free filters which were used in "Series" filter holders.

This will show how the Series filters and their holders were used: Series VI filter holder - Google Search

Good score on the bin full o' camera stuff!

Here's a an on-line manual: Century Graphic 23 camera manual, user manual, operating instructions

Fun times ahead, fun times! A good paintbrush is handy for getting off that type of years-old dust accumulation from cameras. Something like a #10 brush for acrylics is what I use a lot. The brush loosens and then sweeps away all that dust.

Ah, cool--thanks for the links. I definitely want to explore this press camera a bit and figure it out!
The paintbrush is a good idea, I've got a good number of those around the house.

 

[Overread18 6]

Looks like a good haul and just those few things definitely make it worth the $100 - I LOVE those little monoculars!

I bought my self a monocular a while back because whilst I have a half decent set of binoculars I found I couldn't carry and use them at the same time I was using a DSLR and big lens - it was just one of those comical "over equipped" situations where one ends up juggling too much and getting nothing at the end.

Monocular is small, easy to use with just one hand and fits in the pocket easy - great fun!

 

[vintagesnaps]

I don't know what a Bicky is but the lettering reminds me of what was used on Stereo Realists (which might not mean anything more than being from that era maybe?). The last item pictured looks like some sort of magnification viewfinder contaption.

I have something somewhere Ednalite... not sure if those are usually marked. Those small filters could be Series filters which are labeled in Roman numerals and fit box Brownies and other old cameras (seems like the Series IV, V, VI are common and from around midcentury).

I'd like to see the baby Graphic! always have found the press cameras fascinating.

 

[sm4him]

I'd go real easy on cleaning materials. I was thinking glass cleaner on a soft cloth. Or make your own with a little vinegar in water.

As for rejuvenating leather bellows I would guess something like Armour-All (?)

Yeah, I don't want to use ANYthing on them until I know what's okay and what isn't. I was thinking about glass cleaner too, but I don't know…I wouldn't use it on my lenses; would it be safe on the bodies themselves though?

Looks like a good haul and just those few things definitely make it worth the $100 - I LOVE those little monoculars!

Thanks, John--yeah, it was definitely worth what I paid, and I too love the little monoculars. I wonder if I can bird-watch with those? I bet I'd get some strange looks from anyone who saw me.

Oh, one find I forgot to mention, that may well turn out to be priceless, but not to me:
An entire ziploc bag of film rolls, taken but not developed and one package of photos--nothing great, just family stuff. Evidently, they really did not go through this stuff AT ALL. Since the camera equipment all belonged to the guy's father-in-law, I'm guessing these rolls may very well contain some nice memories for them.
Of course, NO idea how long-expired the film is--anyone have any suggestions about a good place to send it to that would take care to get the best results possible out of what may be quite old film? I plan to let the guy know I have this film and arrange to get it back to him, but I'd hate for him to just take it to Walmart or something (do they even still DO film developing there??) and have them not care enough to even really try to get any pictures from it.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Oops! got interrupted and a lot happened by the time I got back! and my wish was granted, I get to see it.

I would not use windex! or other modern day cleaning supplies when you're dealing with vintage leatherette etc. I can go look in my camera repair book by Tomosy (which is out of print) for recommendations. I did get some darkroom equipment cleaner from Freestyle but haven't used it much yet. I've used ROR (Residual Oil Remover) on lenses and so far so good.

I do as little as absolutely necessary and like Derrel - dust, gently and thoroughly and then see where you are. I use brushes made for cameras and lenses, have a couple of vintage brushes that are soft and fine, or I use old T shirts. Some collectors I think would prefer to do their own restoration.

 

[vintagesnaps]

Is it 35mm or 120? If it's that and the film wasn't secured snugly around the spool it's most likely exposed or fogged. Returning it to him if it was his family could be an option or maybe get a roll or two developed and see if it's worth it.

People like me collect the spools and might want the film just for that if it's exposed or too fogged to get it all developed. If you get the film developed, have the lab save the spools!

 

[sm4him]

Oops! got interrupted and a lot happened by the time I got back! and my wish was granted, I get to see it.

I would not use windex! or other modern day cleaning supplies when you're dealing with vintage leatherette etc. I can go look in my camera repair book by Tomosy (which is out of print) for recommendations. I did get some darkroom equipment cleaner from Freestyle but haven't used it much yet. I've used ROR (Residual Oil Remover) on lenses and so far so good.

I do as little as absolutely necessary and like Derrel - dust, gently and thoroughly and then see where you are. I use brushes made for cameras and lenses, have a couple of vintage brushes that are soft and fine, or I use old T shirts. Some collectors I think would prefer to do their own restoration.

Glad I could oblige! ;-)
Yes, if your repair book has any recommendations, let me know! I won't likely get started on cleaning until this weekend anyway. Where does one get ROR from?

I don't plan to do a lot, and at this time, I don't really anticipate reselling these, although that's a possibility down the road I guess. So I just plan to clean them up as best I can, maybe play with them a bit if they work, display them if they don't.

Is it 35mm or 120? If it's that and the film wasn't secured snugly around the spool it's most likely exposed or fogged. Returning it to him if it was his family could be an option or maybe get a roll or two developed and see if it's worth it.

People like me collect the spools and might want the film just for that if it's exposed or too fogged to get it all developed. If you get the film developed, have the lab save the spools!

It's 35mm. I'm assuming it's all from the slightly more modern cameras he had, including some film version point-and-shoots. Good thought about getting a roll or two developed first, I might do that. Or I might just give it to him and suggest he not mention it to his wife until he knows whether there's anything worthwhile there or not. Just thinking about what *I* would want--I'd hate to "discover" a whole bag of film from photos my dad had taken only to have that hope of some last personal glimpses of him dashed when none of the rolls were worth anything. So I'd rather have someone tell me AFTER the photos were developed.

 

[vintagesnaps]

If it's that type situation then that's probably best. I've found film in cameras a couple of times and it didn't end up being worth getting it developed! (badly exposed pictures etc.) but you don't know til you try.

I forget where I first read about ROR or where I got it, might have bought it direct from their website. I'll try to look up something in the repair book in the next day or two. (If I forget send me a PM if you want!)

Hope you enjoy all your new goodies!

 

[Msteelio91]

Looks like a great haul for a hundred bucks! That TLR is sweet and even just as a decorative piece.

 

[dxqcanada]

AH, that was worth the price.
My guess about the Minolta TLR model was correct ... Autocord CDS ... and the focus knob is intact !!!
Looks like it has been in the case for a while as it looks in minty condition.
Too bad the strap was not with it ... the strap is worth millions because it has a proprietary coupling to the camera. I have never heard of a substitute ... you might find it with the rest of the stuff.

You will need a PX-1 battery for the lightmeter ... as it was a mercury type, you will no longer find it ... you may be able to get the alkaline version ... or just shoot without the meter.

NOTE: always move the focus lever to min or max when not in use !!!

 

[dxqcanada]

Looks like a great haul for a hundred bucks! That TLR is sweet and even just as a decorative piece.

That Minolta Autocord should never be just a decorative piece.

 

[dxqcanada]

Now to start cleaning some things up--what should use on a camera body? Does it matter?

Slightly soapy water is good light cleaning solution to start.
Get a soft toothbrush to clean out the recessed areas.
If you know Equestrian people, they can give you leather cleaning/conditioning stuff. I use stuff from Lexol.
In a dark area examine the bellows for light leaks using a strong flashlight.

The lens element in the Graflex looks dirty or hazed ??

 

[dxqcanada]

I am thinking you are going to have a massive Donation post in the future (once you figure out what you got).