April 2023 – Foxes Den

Halina A1 Reflex

I’ve managed to obtain yet another old TLR camera, i paid a little more for this example as it was from a hospice so I’m not worried about the extra expense, as it is in a very good condition. I will just have to wait until it’s in my hands to know for sure. Originally made in Hong Kong by Haking, the A1 was one of their better produced cameras. Again very pleasing to the eye.

Here is some history on this camera, I will cite the reference at the end:

Type: Twin lens reflex camera for film rolls
Manufacturer: Haking
Year of launch: Circa 1960
Film: type 120 film rolls
Lenses: Halina Anastigmat 1:3.5 F=80mm C lens geared to Halina Viewer 1:3.5 F=80mm C lens
Shutter: two-blade shutter with speeds B, 1/25, 1/50, and 1/100 sec., selectable with thumb-wheel around lens
Cocking: moving the shutter release lever a little bit upwards
Aperture: lever below lens, 1:3.5 to 1:22 selectable
Focusing: using one of the gear wheels that synchronize Viewfinder and camera focus as thumb wheel
Viewfinder: collapsible TLR finder with ground glass screen, and hinged magnifier for optional usage
Film advance: thumb wheel, closeable exposure counting windows on the back
Specialty 1: leather case has two sheet metal tongues to fix the camera
Specialty 2: the shutter of the lower exposure counter window bears the imprint Empire made (=British Hong-Kong)
Connector 1: connection thread for remote shutter release
Connector 2: flash connector
Connector 3: connection thread for tripod

Information on camera obtained from Camera-Wiki.org

I will update on my intensions for this camera once it is in my possession. Check back for further updates.

Coronet F20 Coro-Flash

I’ve managed to obtain another old box type Pseudo TLR camera at a reasonable price in a very good condition, well, at least the pictures seem to indicate this, I’ll just have to wait until it’s in my hands to know for sure.

Here is some history on this camera, I will cite the reference at the end:

Introduced in 1950
Pseudo TLR
One speed rotary shutter +B
Use both 620 and 120 roll films
Flash sync
Built-in green filter
Body: metal

Coronet Box Cameras are medium format 120 & 620 film cameras made by Coronet in England.

Coronet was a British camera maker based in Birmingham. The company was formed in 1926 by F.W.Pettifer. It manufactured a variety of cheap box and folding cameras until 1967. After the war it worked together with the French company Tiranty to avoid French import restrictions. Several Coronet camera models were made in France, some with Boyer lenses, and some with instruction imprints in French. Coronet also had their own brands of film, including Corochrome.

The F-20 Coro-Flash by Coronet is a simple camera for 6×6 cm exposures, but one which offers a few twists on the usual box camera.
First, its centered viewfinder window and (small) folding hood give it a certain faux-TLR styling.
Secondly, it was designed (and proudly labeled) to accept either 120 or 620 film sizes.
Finally, it offers flash sync, for example when using its namesake Coro Flash flashgun.

Information on camera obtained from Camera-Wiki

This camera was in such a good condition that no maintenance was required. In fact it went straight onto eBay and sold within 7 days. Was a lovey little camera and commanded a good resale price.

Olympus 35-ECR Light seal replacement

I have obtained some 1.5mm camera seal and have commenced the replacement of the old seal. First thing to do is measure the widths required for each of the 5 pieces needing replacement.

Easiest piece to seal is the larger segment at the hinge of the door. Setting this piece first allows you to get the start point’s correct for the longer more fiddly sections.

When it comes to the longer runs there are two width measurements. For the seals on the back door they are approximately 2 mm wide and the ones on the camera itself are 1.5 mm wide. I have cut these myself and believe me they are awkward little buggers to get in place, I very much doubt you will do it first time (well done if you do) it’s taken me a number of attempts and to be honest I’m still not 100% happy with the results. The rear door is the second easiest piece to do as you can remove the film guard to give you some space to work.

The camera body is ultra awkward as the seal is so thin. I have put in two lengths and it’s stayed in place overnight but I may well redo it again at a later date. I will run a film through to see if it is sufficient as I suspect it may well be. My trouble is I’m just trying to be perfect but sometimes you just have to lower your expectations slightly. A couple of things I would recommend though:

Use an ultra sharp craft knife
Use a metal ruler
Wet the adhesive as you put it in place as it allows you some option to move it prior to sticking
Be patient, you will have to cut a number of strips
Be prepared to remove re clean and try again
Practice and don’t be downhearted if you fail
Try again
Practice makes perfect 👍

This is going to be a stock camera for me so there is no rush to move it on. Keep a camera spare for yourself to practice on as it will only improve your technique in the long run. This was my first attempt at seal replacement and I have learned a lot from this exercise. Come back to see the results of my test film on this camera.

Olympus 35-ECR Light seal removal

What I noticed whilst inspecting this camera was that the light seals around the rear had decayed sufficiently to require replacement, and after approximately 50 yrs that seemed to be a reasonable assessment.

Quick video of the light seal removal

This page will cover the light seal removal, it is important that the camera is thoroughly cleaned and all debris removed as this will make mthe replacement of the new light seals so much easier and less cumbersome.

Items required:

Isopropyl or another sufficient cleaner
Cotton buds
Cocktail sticks or plastic modelling knifes
Compressed air can

Remove film plate – remember the correct orientation

Remove the film plate on the camera door as this assists when cleaning, easy to do, just be careful when removing to ensure you don’t bend the retaining springs, and ensure it goes back in the correct orientation so that the small hole in the top corresponds with the winder sprocket on the camera body.

There are 5 seals on this camera. Two on the camera body one top and one bottom, the same again on the rear door and a final one where the door hinges on the camera. Lightly wet these with some isopropyl and let this seep in for a couple of minutes. Using a cocktail stick or a plastic modelling tool (not metal as you will scratch the frame) start to gently remove the old seal and remove any debris away from the camera. Take your time here as it is important to get each channel clean and debris free to ensure the refitting phase goes without issue. Now wet a cotton bud with the isopropyl and run this numerous times along each edge where you have removed the seal to ensure it is really clean.

Using a plastic tool to clear the old light seal

I would suggest you set a good hour aside to ensure you do this job correctly and completely, it really is that important to ensure you get good results.

Hinge door light seal- before and after cleaning

When the removal of all seals is complete I’d recommend that you clean again, yep I know it’s boring what I am saying but the cleaning really is that important. When it’s done, get the compressed air can and give a few well aimed blasts of air into the areas you have cleaned making sure you do not direct any debris towards the shutter, please keep this area sheltered or you can create other issues.

Once you are happy with the clean up, shut the camera door and leave it alone until you begin to install the new light seal on another occasion. Then we will clean the camera yet again 🤦‍♂️

Thoughts 11/4/23

What book could you read over and over again?

The bitter lemons of Cyprus – by Lawrence Durrell

Printed in 1957 it’s an autobiographical book based on his travels around Cyprus during the period 1953-6 that was the period of “Enosis” the union with Greece against British rule. Particularly important to me as this was the period in which my own uncle David was killed whilst in Cyprus defending against the Eoka national organisation of Cypriot fighters.

Excellent written book in my opinion, I have probably read this about 3 times now and will probably read it again soon.

Olympus 35-ECR assessment

So the camera I recently ordered has been delivered and the assessment of the unit has begun. The original post claimed it wasn’t winding, I wasn’t concerned about this as nine times out of ten it’s purely because the batteries are not installed.

The original batteries that came with the unit back in the day were PX640 mercury batteries x2 . These are now outlawed for sale so we have to now look at alternatives to use, this may involve using a converter to achieve the results we require. I have decided to use these converters for this camera.

converters in place and batteries installed

On first inspection I was worried as there looked like some battery acid damage to the terminal on the left (see picture) however with a wipe with some alcohol on a cotton bud it appears to be only age as it cleaned up ok. With these cameras sometimes the damage goes beyond the terminals and requires new wires soldering within the body. I dodged a bullet on this occasion.

You have a choice of batteries now, you can use two LR44 batteries or 675 air batteries. Difference here is all to do with the working battery limits of the camera. It was designed to work at 2.8v with the old Mercury batteries, the LR44s give you 3v that has been noted on some chat groups to require you to make exposure changes as it can overexpose sometimes by one stop.

The other option is to use the 675 batteries that have a lower voltage total of 2.8v however as soon as these batteries are opened they start depleting and have a shorter shelf life as such ( they are meant for hearing aids) however they are much cheaper than the LR44s . The choice is yours, I have gone with the 675s.

Batteries in place the shutter works well as does the winder and the shutter check light, excellent result as in theory the camera is working.

Cosmetically the camera needs a clean, the light seal around the film door is old and could do with replacing so I will do this in the coming weeks.

Overall I’m really pleased with this camera, I just now need to source some 35mm B&W film and put it to a test. I can then develop and scan this at home to see the results. But first I’m going to do the cleaning as stated earlier as well as replacing the light seals. It has also come with an Olympus pen lens cap that I may replace. I will also source a wrist strap to complete the look.

Hopefully this will be a nice little addition to my collection.

Come back to see what happens next.

Thoughts 01/04/23

What makes you laugh?

What makes me laugh? Really, I try to laugh at most of what I see and do partly because it cheers me up and partly because if I can’t see a sensible logic to something, laughing helps me get through the situation. Not perfect or suitable in many a situation and to some people I guess I might come across as quite inappropriate however it’s a coping mechanism for me. My dog Alf makes me laugh, he’s been a comfort to me throughout his short life and now as he’s starting to slow down and enter senior life he can still do it, he’s a beautiful soul.

Humour has allowed me 32 wonderful years of marriage with my lovely wife who also has a wonderful sense of humour, it’s gotten us through some really tough times, and it works for us.

My sense of humour was inherited from my father, one of the good things he gave me. It’s kind of very low rate humour at times laughing at some quite crass things but hey, you’ve just gotta laugh. I’m laughing as I write this piece because a rude text has just popped up on my phone from a friend 🤦‍♂️. And that’s it I guess, you can use it as a measure to how someone is feeling, he’s told me without saying anything that he’s fine because I know his sense of humour, if he’d been more serious I’d be asking myself and him questions.

There is a time and a place I guess, but laughing makes you feel good and happy, and I believe the world needs a lot more of that.

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