Sunday, October 21, 2012

Saturday, October 13, 2012

My "New" Camera Project

I have decided to get this old Kodak cleaned up, and converted to use 120 film. The camera uses A130 film, that sadly, is no longer made. From what I have read, there are a few people that will rewind 130 rolls, but at $10+ dollars, plus shipping per roll... I will see if I can make this use the 120, that is still around.

The camera was made by the Kodak company made the 2C Autographic (what this is) from 1916 - 1927. I have an early model that was made between 1916 and 1918. I wont be doing much restoration on this camera, as the lens is still in good shape, and while the outside of the bellows are cracking, the insides are good, with no light bleed. Also, I need to find out how to "restore & preserve" the leather covering... It is covered in fine grain seal leather. I am assuming that it is like any other leather, but... I dunno.





A neat feature of the camera: The film window & stylus. This was used to write whatever on the film, as you took a photo. You could consider it the first time/date stamp on a camera.


Sunday, October 7, 2012

Restoration Part II

Well, losing a screw was bound to happen... I dropped one on the carpet, and it is now gone... forever.

I will be rooting through all my watch and camera parts to find a replacement; if none is found, I will buy a parts camera off Ebay.


Shutter mechanism back in:


Shutter cover/dial plate on:


The camera lens back together and on:


This is the lens for the view finder. I forgot to take a picture of the camera lens, but they are basically the same construction.


Both lenses back on:


I will have to calibrate the lenses, but so far, the picture in the view finder is excellent.


I still have to find suitable paint for the lenses and the rest of the camera, but everything (sans the lost screw) is going pretty well.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Restoration: Part I

The start of restoring an Argus Argoflex, 620/120 camera.

A shot of some of the tools that are needed to take this thing apart. Not shown are my micro polisher/grinder or my ultrasonic tank.


Lenses:


Lens disassembly:


In the ultrasonic tank. I love how dirt/oil/etc. melt away.


Some shutter parts after cleaning:


And after polishing.

 The shutter plate. This is where all the pieces in the previous photo, goes:


Plate removed to show shutter blades:


Apeture: The blades are at their highest F:Stop

To be continued...

Monday, October 1, 2012

Luna Luna Luna







A New Project

I decided to clean, and restore one of my old TLR cameras' and the Argus was the perfect choice.

After the initial tear down, I came to the conclusion that I will need to pick up a sonic tank to clean the springs, and mechanical bits. After I do that, I will polish, regrease/oil the movements, and then shift focus (get it?) to the aesthetics of the camera. Once everything is cleaned/lubricated/repainted/etc. I will be finding film and shooting with it.