They were made of metal with plastic pieces around the windows and film take up. They are covered by a glued on leatherette. It weighs in at about 1 1/2 pounds (690 grams).
A good find for a display camera.
Malcolm Chalmers - Vancouver Island Event Photographer |
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This King Regula IIIc seems to be a rare model, made in Germany this model was made for the export market. I found this camera in the back room of a local Thrift store for $3. A sticky shutter was the reason, otherwise it is in great shape. The King Regula IIIc 35mm cameras were made between 1955-56 by Mr and Mrs King, it was a family business that also produced electrical components in Bad Leibenzell in the Black Forest area of West Germany. They also produced cameras for a number of other companies. The Regula IIIc was one of many versions, a,b,c,d automatic, Cita III, RM and R. They were made of metal with plastic pieces around the windows and film take up. They are covered by a glued on leatherette. It weighs in at about 1 1/2 pounds (690 grams). The Regula IIIc is an interchangeable lens rangefinder camera that uses a bayonet mount that was unique to the King manufacturer. Lenses available were 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm and 135mm, they used a 45mm filter. This IIIc has a 50mm f/2.8 made by Enna Wark Munchen a small German optics manufacturer. It's focus range is 1m to infinity. Apertures range from f/2 to f/22. A self timer, V is around 10 secs . A PC socket syncs at all speeds in X and M modes. The shutter is a Prontor SVS with Bulb, 1s, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 and 1/300th sec, it used two sets of blades for robustness. As it turns out the cameras now seem to have a shutter sticking problem. It is not too hard to clean the shutter assembly to make it work a little better. This model does not have a light meter like the newer model IIId but the rangefinder on this model was the most accurate of the models because not having a light meter gave more room for a long-base coupled rangefinder.
A good find for a display camera.
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The Carbine, or Carbines were cameras sold by British company W. Butcher & Sons from 1903 -1930. There were many different versions of this camera, this one used 122 Roll film and could adapt to accept plate film to make 3 X 5 postcard photos. W. Butcher & Sons Carbine. Up to the advent of the Great War* Butchers imported German made cameras but this arrangement became somewhat inconvenient thereafter, and they teamed up with Houghtons as manufacturer to form The Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co.Ltd, finally merging in 1926. By 1930 they sold cameras under the Ensign name. There is frequently no mention of Butcher on the pre Houghton-Butcher arrangement cameras. The Carbine line had many models over the years #0,2,3a,3b,4,5,6,7, and 12, each has different lenses, methods of pulling the lens assembly out, moving the lens up and down and sizes of plate film it could use. The camera does not have any visible model number markings in any of the places others are marked other than the "Carbine" Logo on the side and a "B" film winder (which makes me think it was pre-Houghton) and serial number D 52097. From the research I have done I think this is a model #3a or 3b - 31/2 X 51/2 postcard size plate made around 1914-15. This camera shutter has the name "Lukos" I on it, it has shutter control for Bulb and Timed release. It's an American manufactured shutter. The lens (front glass missing) has apture settings of F11,18,22,32 and F45 can be changed by moving the arrow/lever on the bottom. The lens raises and lowers on the chrome fork or standard and moves forward and backwards to adjust focus. There is a brilliant viewfinder that pivots for horizontal and vertical shooting. Also I can't find a foot for horizontal shooting they are usually on the front of the baseboard. In the manual to the Ensign Carbine #3 is a description of the camera. Metal body covered in leather with a "Carbine" button on the side of the body. The manual goes on to explain how to load film, how to develop the film and even take pictures. The camera has a dual back that accepts either 122 format film or a plate back. With the back off we can see the recesses for the Roll Film, top and bottom and the middle area for the Plate Film. The middle part of the removable back pulls up an out and your plate film slides in its place. With the back on you see the red port hole (and its cover) to allow you to read the numbers on the Roll film. The last thing that might help date the camera is the film winder in the shape of a "B", Butcher Logo maybe.
Well not really my top ten, but at least ten or more of many images I love to look at from 2012.
The community of Cowichan Bay was a favourite this year, such a pretty place all year long. This image was special because of the fall colors. Closer to home Cowichan Lake had some marvellous sunsets, this image was taken at Spring Beach in February. This image is priceless, the care taken in grooming this cow before his moment in the sun, being judged in the show ring at the Cobble Hill Fair. This year we attended the Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Lake Cowichan. The Legion Branch 210 put on this ceremony. Snow turning to a light rain gave my images a solemn look and feel. The Cowichan Exhibition is always full of eye candy, the farm animals, vintage farm machinery, Art and Craft exhibits and contests make this a must see event. It is held every September, just after harvest time. The colorful regalia is just one reason to attend the Intertribal Native Pow Wow another is the friendly atmosphere that permeates this multicultural non drug or alcohol event. The rains falling on the Somenoe's Flats at sunrise made this a special image to me. Here is a perfect morning to paddle board around the Cowichan Bay estuary. Herons, swans, seals and sea lions are just some of the many creatures to be seen here. Closer to home, actually next door I captured this image of one of the many Elk that enjoy our gardens. My Cedar hedge barley survives these hungary animals. This guy must be at least eight feet tall. I couldn't resist adding another image from the Native pow wow. The eagle has sacred significance in Native culture. I was so lucky to come upon this little gem for my camera collection. Once the worlds smallest 35 mm film camera. The Queen of England used one of these beautiful little cameras. Ok. . ok, just one more image from the pow wow, actually there are also more than ten photos in
my top ten. Just can't choose ten. I think they are all special images. I hope you agree. Hey . . . now I can really say "I got a Pony for Christmas! " read on and I'll explain. . . She's black and grey with aluminium accents and I got her two days before Christmas. Kodak made these bakelite beauties from 1950 - 54 as a camera for the serious amateur. Controls This camera has aperture, shutter speed and manual focus controls on the three element 51mm, Kodak Anaston lens equipped with a flash post. Its aperture settings f22, 16, 11, 8, 5.6 and 4.5. Shutter speeds B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, and 1/200sec. The simple two blade shutter on the Kodak Flash 200 was synced at 1/200sec. On top a simple viewfinder, film advance and rewind knobs, a handy film counter and a film type reminder. It also came with a tripod mount. The Pony Line. This model, the 135 used the 135 cartridge film, it was second the Pony line after the popular 828 model which used 828 roll film. Following the 135 were the 135 “MODEL B” (’53-55), the 135 “MODEL C” (’55-58), the Pony “II” (’57-62) and finally the Pony “IV” (’57-61). The 135 has this really neat pull out lens barrel. To extend or collapse the lens you needed to unlock with a twist to the left and lock with a twist to the right. I have a Rollei 35 that also has a collapsable lens barrel that was used to allow the camera to be "pocketed" for carrying. I am sure that is the reasoning behind this one as well. Ease of use. To use the camera first you had to remove the rear plate by pushing in a small release on the right camera strap connector and push down. The back came completely off for easy loading of the 35mm film, then snap it back in place and pull connector up to lock. Wind the film to the start. You then extended the barrel by twisting, pulling and locking. A safety feature would not allow you to snap a picture without extending the barrel. Adjust your aperture settings and film speed on the lens, then estimate the distance to your subject, turn the foot meter at the front to approximate focus. Next cock the shutter with the leaver on the side of the lens, eye to the viewfinder to frame your subject and press the shutter release button on the top. Then don't forget to move the release lever and advance the film to the next frame. Done. Cost. For a mere $35 dollars (around $300 in 2012 dollars) you could have added one of these little Ponys to your herd. Your other options in those days were plentiful but like many other Kodak cameras they were affordable to encourage the use of Kodak's film. To learn more about cameras from the 50's, or for that matter from the 1900's to the 1970's visit this informative website. http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/1950Room.html If you owned a Polaroid camera in the 70's I bet you took lots of instant snap shots of you and your girlfriend. You remember, the kind you didn't want to take to the photo shop for developing. "Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know what I mean." Going through the 50c bin at the Thrift Shop you find all sort of Polaroid Instant Cameras, and if your lucky maybe even a package of film. I didn't realize that one time Kodak entered the instant camera market with their version of the Kodak Instant Camera, later called Kodamatic. I also didn't know that Polaroid had Kodak manufacture their instant film. Between 1976 and 1978 Kodak made the EK4,EK6 and the European model EK8. They knew how to make instant film since their factories already made film for Polaroid. Kodak used the same film formulation then modified the way film was handled exposing the back of the film not the front. Maybe this would be different enough to beat copyright laws. Polaroid didn't see it that way, they sued and won a copyright infringement suit forcing Kodak to stop selling and buy back their Kodamatics. Kodak also lost the contract to produce film for Polaroid. Polaroid had been making film cameras since 1937 and instant cameras since 1948 when Polaroid founder Dr. Edwin Land's young daughter asked why can't you take a picture that comes out developed? With that thought in his head Dr. Land came out with the model 95 the first of many instant film cameras. Polaroid continued to produce their Land Cameras, Box, Folding, Spectra/Image and later their izone instant cameras ( izone, catchy sounding name eh. . ) trying to appeal to the younger and younger generations. The small izone photos had an adhesive backing so you could stick them on your binders and such. In 2001 Polaroid filed for bankruptcy and stopped producing cameras. In 2005 Polaroid's holding companies discontinued making their instant film and moved into producing Digital Cameras, DVD players and TV's. then in 2009 they made their first digital instant camera called PoGo TWO, a camera and printer all in one then went bankrupt again. In 2012 Polaroid once again launched a digital instant camera Polaroid Z340 Instant Digital Camera. Instant film
is again being manufactured by the impossible project for those who still love those old Polaroid cameras. http://www.the-impossible-project.com/projects/polaroidcamera/ The Argus C3 Matchmatic rangefinder camera is as tough and heavy as a brick and by comparison to newer 35mm cameras maybe as smart as one to. The Argus C3 knowen lovengly as "The Brick", it was a low-priced manual rangefinder camera that was produced from 1939 to 1966 by Argus in Ann Arbor, Michigan,USA. The camera was the best-selling 35mm rangefinder camera in the world for nearly thirty years and helped popularize the 35mm format by introducing photography to the masses. This Argus C3 was a totally manual camera with an non coupled light meter. It 's rangefinder was coupled to the lens by the use of two metal gears attached to the outside of the metal and Bakelite camera body. A shutter speed control marked 4 through 8 for "scenes", flash and "action" shots sat next to the two viewfinder windows. On top, a monstrous film wind knob and a shutter release that switches between "instant" and "bulb" and a 0- 40 exposure film counter plus a strange film rewind leaver. You must cock the shutter by turning the lever on the front, then keep your fingers out of the way while it releases. Dual viewfinders were used on the C3 the left one gave you a wide angle view and the right one is a rangefinder window for focusing. The rangefinder window was generally of a yellow hue, however other colors have been known to exist. This one is of the yellow varity. A supplied Depth of Field table also helped to determine the sharpest focus distances for each of the lenses focal settings. The body of this camera was almost indestructible, made of metal and bakelite plastic with all metal gears and knobs. Look at the size of the hinge on the door, you could hold up a car door with that. The door on the camera simply snaps shut and needs to be preyed open. Long, strong fingernails or a small flat screwdriver/coin are needed to open it. Once inside 100 or 200 speed film loads right to left. The small joystick - button behind the shutter release needed to be depressed to unlock the advancing/counter mechanism so you could rewind the film. I love the two "port holes" in the door that allow you to look through to the two viewfinders. Over the long run of the Argus C3's three different variations were made. The original C3, the Golden Shield and this one, the Matchmatic, has the the two tone tan and black leatherette. Other changes from the original were larger rangefinder windows, a chrome teardrop shaped shutter cocking leaver, flatter,wider knobs and buttons and a coated Cintar 50mm lens. This camera did not come with strap attachments or a tripod mount. Check out these popular movies that have the Argus C3 camera in them, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets",
"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" and the 1940's "The Philadelphia Story". You know you've made it big when you get featured in the movies. I love going to the Cowichan Exhibition for the animals, the crafts and hobbies, the vintage machinery and the old guys that run them, not so much the rides in the midway anymore but I like taking pictures of them. The Cowichan Exhibition is also 4H and the farm lifestyle. Celebrating todays children who are still taking part in the business of agriculture. In the outdoor riding rings judging of Livestock takes place. Raising your animals for competition and display is one way to instil pride in your accomplishments, it's also fun to see these farm animals close up in one of the many Livestock Barns. Here's my favourite booth in side the Exhibition Hall, the Photo exhibit and the Camera Club contest. Throughout the hall you'll see fruits and vegetables, flowers and foods as well as many crafts and collections. There is a new ride I haven't seen before. Tyler had a blast, but would probably go in the cool of the evening next time. As a kid I always loved the midway, the rides were old and rickety. It was exciting to be on one and survive. Now you don't seem to get the long rides like I remember, I guess it is their internet attention spans have allowed the midway guys to shorten them a bit. Last Year I stayed on until the evening and got some fantastic images of the Midway rides after dark. Check those images here. Here is my Mother (RHS) and her friend, they volunteer at the exhibition.
This year was the 103rd continuous year for the Cobble Hill Fair, family entertainment, livestock, farm equipment and entertainment. The one day fair held on the forth Saturday in August has events all day starting with a pancake breakfast followed by a parade that circles the Cobble Hill Hall and grounds. Blacksmith demos, sheepdog trials, livestock shows, craft and produce exhibits, vintage farm machinery, kids games, a horse show, regular and miniature, 4-H animals and livestock auction are just part of the all-day entertainment, that & much more. Celebrating agricultural and farm life is the drive behind this fair with demonstrations of blacksmithing, logging, harvesting and showing prize animals. This year a Sheep (& Duck) Dog Trials Demo was at the Fair. It was a very hot day for the dogs but they put on a good show for the crowd. The theme this year: "Tractors Pushing Agriculture Forward" had some really nice vintage machinery on display It was also John Deere's 75th anniversary adding to the fair. The fair highlights kids from 4H to fun on the farm. Demonstrations of crafts and show livestock are popular. Five generations of Cobble Hill's Baird family have kept the 103 year old Cobble Hill fair a vibrant and fun event.
At 92 Margaret Baird has been organizing the fair for the last 59 years, now her 62-year-old son, George Baird, the president of the Shawnigan-Cobble Hill Farmers' Institute and Agricultural Society, also organizes the event. I have heard the name before, I know they are German made cameras of high quality but this is amazing. When I first picked up the camera in it's leather case I found it to be really heavy and really small. When I unzipped the zipper and pealed back the case I saw the word Rollei on the front. My heart must have skipped a beat, "in the $2 bin????" I am taking this home with me. I love these Thrift stores. (Last week I found a Bolex movie camera.) Here is someone else who uses a Rollei 35. I think she could be a little quirky too. I figure it must be a good camera if the Queen of England owns one. In 1967 when this camera was first released it was by far the smallest 35mm full frame "pocket camera" ever produced, the Rollei 35 was sturdier, more reliable, and more flexible with better lenses than any other camera built . The Rollei 35 and the later models enjoy a near cult following today. Like those hats the Queen wears. Prized by those collectors are the 35, 35 S and 35 SE, the original 35 represents the quality Germany production, other models were built in Singapore after 1973. After the original 35 the 35 S and 35 SE represent the best of the German cameras with the newer and faster Sonnar lenses. The first German 35's used Tessar lenses made by Carl Zeiss, themselves excellent lenses. This one even has a protective filter on the lens, obviously previously owned by a knowledgeable photographer. I think the most outwardly interesting thing about this camera after it's size is the lens that pulls out from the body. To make the Rollei small enough to put in your pocket the lens sits tight to the body, to focus, it pulls out and locks in place. Highly engineered and one of the most expensive parts of the camera is that tube that holds the 40 mm Carl Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 lens. Other aids in making this a pocket camera are the shutter speed, ISO dial and aperture dial being located on the front of the camera. On top the film advance, lens lock and shutter release. Located on the rear is the viewfinder and the film rewind lock. On the bottom the film rewind lever, frame counter, tripod socket, film cover release as well as the flash shoe is on the bottom of the camera. I wonder, do you have to shoot flash photos with the camera upside down? The inside is an engineering marvel, fitting everything you need into that small package unfortunately rules out having a rangefinder or a SLR view through the lens making the Rollei 35 a scale-focus only camera. Both feet and meters are provided on the lens. To help focus the 40mm wide-ish angle lens you could stop down to around f/8 to get a greater depth of field. This is not a point and shoot camera. From the Rollei company web site The Rollei 35 is a special camera - the camera for you. It is designed for your pleasure! That is why we have designed this camera to be so compact and handy - you can always carry it in your pocket. We have fitted it with a cadmium supplied exposure meter system for quick and reliable shooting. And with the 40 mm Carl Zeiss Tessar f/3.5 we not only selected a world famous lens, but also the ideal focal length for you: with the 57° angle of view you take in a more generous field of view than with a normal miniature camera lens. To let you get on with picture taking straight away. Well, I like pleasure don't you?. . Smile for the Queen.
I love living beside the lake, there is always something interesting to look at, especially in the heat of the summer when the Martin Mars Waterbomber comes to pick up a load of Cowichan Lake. This is the last Mars Waterbomber flying in the world, #223 Hawaii Mars (II) of the Coulson Flying Tankers Inc., based here on Vancouver Island. Sprott Lake in Port Alberni is where the last two of these monster former WW2 era cargo planes rest. Hawaii Mars II was built in 1946 and served until 1956, converted to waterbomber in 1959. Here is one of the first photos I'd captured around 1997, it is The Philippine Mars back when it was still flying. (You can tell because the tail is white on the Philippine Mars and red on the Hawaii Mars.) It to was also built in 1946 and converted in 1959 to a waterbomber and now retired in 2012 at 66yrs old. The day I shot image this I remember I was inside when it sounded like a freight train was coming through the house.I ran out side to find out what the noise was. When I saw this huge waterbomber coming back over the lake I ran back in to get my camera. On it's next pass over I swear it looked and sounded like it was no more that 50 feet above the house doing it's turn to line up with the lake. Those four radial motors don't have mufflers it seams. I am sure it was a lot higher that 50 feet to. Each load of water can cover an area of up to 1.6 hectares (4 acres) enough to put out small fires in one drop. It's great having these giants here on the island. In the past they flew at many summer festivals up and down the island. I was covering one event where they did a small precision drop by a festival Beer Garden just soaking some jokers that were close by in the forest, probably smoking something illegal. Many summers ago we visited the home of the "Mighty Martin Mars" and had a tour of the aircraft that was on shore for maintenance . The Philippine Mars is now beached on the property of Coulson Flying Tankers Inc, it flew until it was retired earlier this year. It will soon become a static display at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The remaining Hawaii Mars Waterbomber, and it's Chase Plane have to scout a strip of lake long enough and clear of other boat traffic to almost land on the lake and scoop up it's 27,276 Ltr (7200 gal) of water. It seems that right in front of our house is a good place, works for me. When they are fighting a fire they can load and dump in about 15 minuets, depending how far away the fire is. Dropping that much water it usually only takes a few dumps to put out the smaller fires before they get out of hand. If you get a chance to visit one of these Waterbombers do, they are still a lot like they were when they were first built for WW2 except for some updated instruments and water tanks. They are amazing to see close up.
Especially flying over top of you. |
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