Jim's mystery camera (left), make and year unknown. Nikon F included for scale.
Mike,
I made myself a promise a few years ago, when I discovered Ebay, to shoot at least one roll of film with every camera I bought! That never happened. I bought way too many cameras. So my thanks to you for issuing this "challenge." It was very liberating, for me anyway, to not have to produce "an image"—just take a picture. I will try very hard to not send dozens of pictures from dozens of cameras!
I'm not sure what this camera is. In the picture of it below I included a Nikon for scale and because it too is an SLR, like the black box. It has a Steinheil Munchen Actinar 105mm lens and makes a 6x9 negative on 120 film. It's labeled "DRP no 527505" inside with patents listed for several countries in Europe, U.S. patent pending. I would look through my McKeon's to identify it, but every time I open that book I find something else that looks like I ought to go back to Ebay for!
Digital Ice made few dents on the scratches on the negative, so thanks for that "No Photoshopping" rule—saved me hours of retouching. My subject matter was chosen because it was the contrasty-est scene I could find—to help me attempt to focus. It sure doesn’t have the Nikon's finder!
It's true that everything is bigger in Texas! These are the chickens in our backyard!
_________________________
(Rules and early entries here. More entries will be posted soon. —MJ)
What a curious little box you have there Jim. Are the lines in the pic from scratches in the film emulsion? A thing like this could really transform your own backyard.
Looks like a music box.
Charlie
Posted by: charlie d | Sunday, 31 August 2008 at 06:46 AM
Jim's camera is a KW reflex made in Dresden in the 20's. Have a look:
http://www.retrography.com/kw.htm
Posted by: J_G | Monday, 01 September 2008 at 04:24 AM
Hi Jim, I think Your little jewel is from Kamerawerke Dresden and was made 80 to 90 years ago. 'DRP' translated to Deutsches Reichs Patent. Kamerawerke Dresden is still in business: http://www.kamera-werk-dresden.de/index_eng.htm .
They are manufacturing Noblex rotating pano cameras. - Jens
Posted by: Jens Steffien | Tuesday, 02 September 2008 at 07:58 AM