This “single use” camera looks like cardboard but is actually hard Bakelite. I picked it up for four bucks at a camera show. The little window on the bottom reveals a piece of ribbon that says “pull to number 1″. This proves to be too much for my willpower and I’m going to pull it! I’m assuming from the width of the ribbon sticking out of the bottom, that the film is approx. 135mm. Camera width: 1 3/4″, Height: 4 3/4”. The lens is behind the shutter. The rolled up piece of white paper in the upper compartment is the return mail label and paperwork. There’s a piece of Gaffer’s tape making a seal across the bottom. The photographer was supposed to take all of the shots on the roll, then send the camera to the address in St. Paul, Minn. The pictures would be returned to the sender with the camera loaded with a new roll of film.
Later… Okay, so I pulled it and took some shots. The film is 135 mm without the sprocket holes. It takes 12 square images. The old black and white film was very muddy, with no markings. No numbers. No nothing.
-
My dog is doing her RinTinTin imitation with a backwards #10 above her head.
-
There's my trusty dog on the far right side of the frame. The tiny thing, with gigantic Corgi ears. I rather like the upside-down "Stop and Mail"...could it be a message from space aliens? Why, no. It's simply the wording on the paper backing that has burned its way into the film.
-
It comanded me to do its will.
-
Side view.
-
-
A view of the bottom of the camera showing the film frame counter and Gaffer's tape (partially peeled for dramatic effect).
-
This view shows the camera back open slightly. One end of the paper is taped to the inside, while the other end is inserted through a slot. The film was taped onto the paper and inserted into a different slot. Probably the slot directly above the paper's slot...but I opened the camera in the darkroom and couldn't really tell because, hey, it's dark in there.
-
Another view of the back of the camera. The round hole on the left is the viewfinder...though it's actually just a round hole on the left. The door is being slid open here, revealing the paper that is used to advance the film.
-
Stop and Mail
-
INSTRUCTIONS
-
Another, closer, shot of this camera's innards. I figured that a shot like this would have helped me, had I viewed it before I attempted to take the camera apart. So, here I am, being helpful.
McKeown in his book ” Price Guide To Antique and Classic Cameras” says
that the camera takes 28mm X 31mm negatives on 35mm film. He does not give
a date for the camera but he does list a “book” price of $20 – $30 for it.
I re-loaded the camera with 35 mm color film. I predicted that the image would spill over onto the sprocket holes. A few light leaks, but other than that, everything went just fine. Glad I’ve finally got a “Pro” camera.
I received this information from Doug Wilcox, “McKeown in his book ‘ Price Guide To Antique and Classic Cameras’ says
that the camera takes 28mm X 31mm negatives on 35mm film. He does not give
a date for the camera but he does list a “book” price of $20 – $30 for it. ”
I can’t find it in my edition of the guide. But wait! There’s MORE! I found another one. It’s called a 35mm PRO. Except for the white face plate, it’s pretty much the same as the Pro Camera.
Off to a pro shoot with my Pro Camera E!