What kind of camera was this?

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kpeter
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What kind of camera was this?

Post by kpeter »

On my recent circuit from Mineral King, I came across a rusting camera (I think it was a camera) that had been dropped or abandoned in the rocks just below Lake 10410. It was heavy so I did not pack it out. I wonder if any of you can figure out what it was? I took a shot of it front and back.

Is this even a camera?
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kpeter
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by kpeter »

I now regret not trying to open it or examine it more closely. Could this be a Polaroid from the late 1940s with the lens and baffles folded up inside that door? The thing was very heavy. Its general shape and that door look like an old Polaroid to me--and that would also explain why the lens is not visible.

https://jimhansen6.wordpress.com/around ... id-camera/

It seemed big to me. The camera body looked to be 10 inches across.

In those days it would have been a very expensive camera. It makes you wonder what the story was to bring that camera to the rock field below 10410.
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rlown
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by rlown »

Ok.. I'll bite.. why didn't you carry it out? Has to weigh in at about what you already ate, so...

Your're second picture clearly shows a tag with Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY.
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Jimr
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by Jimr »

Look up this. Not sure what sort of film it used.

Kodak Six-16 Kodak Folding Camera Art Deco Design


best that you left it. Antiquities act, ya know.
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rlown
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by rlown »

Antiquities act has nothing to do with a "modern" day camera; the "act" was dealing with things like arrowheads and pottery. could have just marked where you found it, GPS style, and turned it in at the ranger station on the way out.
Last edited by rlown on Tue Aug 08, 2017 7:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jimr
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by Jimr »

Do you know the date on the camera? Over 50? Oh my we're antiques!
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rlown
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

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If we're antiques, they're still gonna drag our carcass off the mountain.. :)
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by Jimr »

If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by rlown »

there is a Number on that camera. I just couldn't read it. A wipe, a swipe with charcoal, and a wipe would have made the model number readable. Although the film is probably toast, that would have been the jackpot.
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Re: What kind of camera was this?

Post by Jimr »

His shot is 1.5MB, but can't copy to a file any larger than 175kb. Sometimes, you can hide a channel and/or play with contrast and get a better readability. The link I posted above seems to have all of the attributes that remain including the film advance and leather strap connectors. Other photos of the same camera model show the Eastman Kodak placard in the same place as well the hinge.
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