Photos From My Grandpa's Old 35mm Camera

[Patrick]

Here are some photos I took yesterday with my grandpa's old camera. It was made sometime between 1939 and 1942. He brought it home after he flew 25 missions during World War II.

It shoots pretty decent photos! You have to rewind the film back into the canister after you're done shooting, so that sort of scratches the film and the pictures always end up looking old.

The coolest part is that it has no batteries. You crank the film over this little window inside, focus, pull the lever, and push the button. The shutter opens anywhere from 1/5 to 1/300 and the image gets burned onto the film. Then you just advance the film a little and repeat the process.

I want to get some black and white film next time.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/3415371909_b1546f7d21.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3416178516_a83a6cf0df.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3415370885_0576545701.jpg

The camera:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3416185338_ae6a5fd4a1.jpg

That photo of the camera was taken with a Canon 350D.

[YamahaRacin27]

Wow, that's awesome dude! Those shots are really clear for such an old camera. My parents bought an old 35mm camera off of ebay for my brother when he was like 10 thinking he would get into it. Now I'm the one into photography and it's sitting in my room. I've been meaning to shoot it foreverrr but just haven't ever gotten any film.

[Derek]

Nice find.

I been shooting my 120mm Rollei like mad. Haven't got any scans though.

We need to keep this up! Bust out the 35mil, Cooter!

[sharkmx62]

Man that has a really cool look to it! I wouldnt imagine a camera that old would be so crisp. its like a perfect blend of clarity and vintage thrown into one picture.

[Derek]

Man that has a really cool look to it! I wouldnt imagine a camera that old would be so crisp. its like a perfect blend of clarity and vintage thrown into one picture.

It's only a 70's-era camera. Still was a rangefinder. Still used 35mm film, which is better in every way than digital.

[sharkmx62]

Here are some photos I took yesterday with my grandpa's old camera. It was made sometime between 1939 and 1942. He brought it home after he flew 25 missions during World War II.




It's only a 70's-era camera. Still was a rangefinder. Still used 35mm film, which is better in every way than digital.
Maybe im not reading something right??? i dont understand what youre saying

[Patrick]

Maybe im not reading something right??? i dont understand what youre saying

Haha, no you're reading that right. He bought it from a guy while he was over there. The guy's name and U.S. Army serial number are written on the leather case that goes with the camera. I looked his serial number up on the internet and he enlisted on January 27, 1942. It's not from the '70s.

Here are a couple more scans.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3415371361_d0e661e0c4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3415371095_eff50acb1c.jpg

[CR125guy]

Weird seeing a Silverado in a pic that looks like its from 1940. Nice artifact you got there.

[sharkmx62]

Weird seeing a Silverado in a pic that looks like its from 1940. Nice artifact you got there.
Thats what I was thinking too. How cool would it be to take a bunch of modern pics, with that old camera.

Cool find Patrick.

[Derek]

Didn't read the dates patty said...or missed them. It's still a range-finder camera...meaning it can tell you if it's in focus or not. And it's 35mm. Better than digital. :thumbsup:

[YamahaRacin27]

This really makes me wanna get mine out. As soon as I graduate and actually have some time to do some crap, I'll bust it out.