Camera people, tell me all about vintage "box" cameras

I have a passion for old things and after looking at a photobook of James Dean I now need an old style camera. The only way I could discribe what I'm seeking is a camera that looks like a small box and has what appears to be two lenses on the front. Can anyone tell me what these cameras are all about and how I could go about getting one?

 

Sorry I can't be of more help in this matter Aquateen, but IIRC one model is called the Kodak "Brownie". My Father still has one that does work although I can't imagine where you would buy film for it now a days.

 

Found a picture off Google.

 

That's a good camera. Very well liked, high quality lens. Large format (though not as large as some) means that the area of film exposed to the image is larger than (say) 35mm, and so better pictures can be taken in poorer light. And exposures did tend to be longer with those cameras as the lens was not as fast as today's.

It's strange how we went from those cameras, with the somewhat awkward way one had to hold them, to viewfinder cameras, and then Single Lens Reflex - and full circle to the digital camera.

Now, of course, we do see digital SLRs, and I think most would agree that looking "through" the camera at the scene to be photographed is the most natural. In bright light it's almost impossible to compose the photo by looking at the LCD display.

 

I've got my dad's Minolta Autocord copy of the Rolleiflex - big 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 negatives = really nice prints. That type of camera makes you think and work a little, but the images are very rewarding...

 

120 film - I haven't bought any in years. Just looking at the big negatives is a treat...

 

No, that's not right. Light is the same whatever camera you use, f8 is the same on every camera. You can still take horrible pictures with a medium format camera, your mistakes are just on bigger negatives. Exposures tend to be longer because with a larger (medium or large) format lens (bigger aperture), the depth of field falls off very quickly. You need longer exposures to help out with your depth of field (keeping more things in focus). In contrast, a digital camera has a very very small aperture, so everything is usually in focus. Makes things easy.

Medium format cameras are so much fun if you love photography! They are the absolute opposite of point and shoot cameras; you really have to slow down and think about what you are doing. The results can be very rewarding though, and you would really learn about photography!

 

Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) cameras' bigger negative size and sharper lenses allow for stupendously sharp prints and enlargements. Also, since the shutter is leaf design the camera is much quieter and will synchronize with a flash at any shutter speed (unlike SLRs). Quietness and picture-taking position (often waist-level) afford good candid photos of people. Most take 120 film, 12 exposure, which is available at good camera stores. And most require a separate exposure meter.

There is no correlation between the format/size of the negative and lens behavior. Medium and large format do not inherently require longer exposures or suffer from limited depth of field.

Rollieflex is one of the top of the line in the TLR category; others to consider are Yashica and Ikoflex. One "downside" is that all of the above have fixed lens. Mamiya made an excellent series of TLRs with interchangeable lenses. I have the C330f below, with a 65mm (slightly wide angle), 80mm (normal), and 180mm (slight tele). It also takes either 120 film or 220 (24 exposure). Check the photo equipment section of ebay under TLR or the camera names.

and a picture from it, Hatteras Light, Outer Banks, NC

 

A couple of medium format cameras are adding more "SLR"-like features. A Pentax 6x7 I looked at actually is actually shaped almost like an oversized SLR. The new Hasselblad that came out is very automated also. I don't know if I have the patience for complete manual operation, but then again, I override some of the auto settings on my Maxxum quite frequently.

Didn't the Brownie use 120 film? Dad had one, but the shutter release button is broken.

Trying to remember my terminology: isn't medium format anything that uses film in the range of the size of 120/220 film, where large format is like the old "bellows" cameras that use the larger film sheets?

 

IIRC the Brownie type cameras used 127 roll film. Some folks even consider 4x5" format to be medium format but I'd class that and anything larger as large format.

Drawback of the Pentax and other SLR medium formats is the weight and mechanical complexity (not to mention noise and vibration) of the reflex mirror. If I was willing to drop the money I'd seriously consider a medium format rangefinder like the Mamiya 7 - three metering modes, parallax correction, choice of lenses, etc.:

 

Thanks for all the info guys! I really want to get into photography (if I can afford it). Can anyone reccomend a Rollieflex model? There's so many different models and variations it seems.

 

Sorry, I can't recommend a specific model. But good advice would be either buy it locally if you can and get at least a 90 day guarantee, then run some film through it and get it developed to make sure it is functioning correctly. Since the Rollieflex has been around since at least the early 1950s there will be a lot of tired ones out there. On eBay I'd be really careful, and gravitate my bidding towards sellers who have high positive feedback and/or are established camera shops on their own. Are you near any big cities with well-known camera stores?

 

I have a few of those look through the top 120 film cameras. I think they are Kodak.
I wander if you can still buy the huge flash bulbs for them. They were almost as big as a refrigerator light bulb.
If someone wants to get into photography and can afford to develop film, I would suggest a SLR camera. You can compose your shots more accuratly than a range finder and can WYSIWYG for aperature (depth focus) and framing.
If you could afford it I highly suggest the Canon Digital Rebel for $1k. I got one for christmas and have taken over 900 pics (lots for ebay) and just love it. At 6.2MP you can take a tiny part of the picture and blow it up. It comes with Photoshop Elements so with the two you can really have some fun.

 

If you'd like to dip your toes in without spending a bundle, you might want to look at vintage MinoltaCord TLR. Great lenses, reliable as all get out.
Avoid the older Yashica TLRs, however. The shutter will croak on you, if it hasn't already. IIRC, used camera stores won't touch 'em.

Here's a bit of info:
http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/minoltacord.html

Dan C