Cameras

This is a Detrola Model G camera. It was made by the Detrola Corporation between 1938 and 1940. The camera is made out of bakelite with metal portions of the camera being chrome plated. It features a viewfinder with a plastic housing while the more expensive cameras had a metal viewfinder housing. It is common to see examples of these cameras with damaged viewfinders as the plastic would shrink or become brittle. The camera comes with its original box .

The Detrola Corporation was a manufacturer of radios and phonographs during the 1930s and 1940s and between the late 1930s and early 1940s they manufactured cameras. The name "Detrola" comes from the city of Detroit, Michigan where the company was based out of.

References:

  • “Detrola Model G at Historic Camera.” Historiccamera.com, Historic Camera, 2014, historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=2766. Accessed 10 Nov. 2020.

  • “Detrola Model G - Camera-Wiki.org - The Free Camera Encyclopedia.” Camera-Wiki.org, Camera-wiki.org, camera-wiki.org/wiki/Detrola_Model_G. Accessed 10 Nov. 2020.

The image to the left is an advertisement for Detrola's line of cameras. Image courtesy of Camera-Wiki.org.

This is a Vest Pocket Kodak or VPK produced by the Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, New York. It dates to sometime around the 1910s. The camera was designed to be compact allowing for maximum ease when carrying it on the go. Because of its size, it was able to fit in a bag or large pocket such as that of a vest, hence the name. When fully opened, the camera shows its leather bellows supported by a metal framework. The bellows created a dark environment in which images on photographic film could be developed.

During WWI, these cameras became popular with soldiers due to their portability as it was small and wouldn't get in the way. It allowed these soldiers to document their experiences in the war and because of its success, Kodak began marketing it as the "Soldier's Kodak."

References:

  • Harding, Colin. “The Vest Pocket Kodak Was the Soldier’s Camera - National Science and Media Museum Blog.” National Science and Media Museum Blog, Eleanor Mitchell, 13 Mar. 2014, blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/the-vest-pocket-kodak-was-the-soldiers-camera/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.

The camera's viewfinder (left) and shutter button (right). The leather bellows of the camera are located behind the viewfinder and shutter button.

This is a Beirax folding camera from 1950. It was made in Germany by the German company Beier and was first introduced in 1936. Five years after WWII had ended, in 1950, Beier resumed production of the camera. The look of the camera was similar to the 1936 prewar version with slight modifications such as smaller and different lenses. The original had a lens made by Victar while the 1950 model had an E. Ludwig Meritar lens.

To open the camera, you have to push a small button on the left side. That will allow you to unfold the camera by opening a hinged panel which will click into place once fully open. Above the panel is the model name "Beirax."

The camera comes with its original case which appears to be a dark green color although it, ironically, doesn't show well on camera. The inside of the case is lined with bright orange cloth.

References:

  • “Beier Beirax.” Camerapedia, Fandom, camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Beier_Beirax. Accessed 9 Nov. 2020.

This is a Kodak Brownie Reflex Synchro Model camera. They were made from 1940 until 1952. They were introduced in the UK in 1946 and were made until 1960. The price of the normal Brownie Reflex was $5.25, or $97.70 in 1940 with inflation as of 2020. The Brownie Reflex Synchro Model's price was $6.00 or $102.79 in 1941 with inflation as of 2020. The Synchro Model was made from 1941 until 1952. The normal model was made from 1940 until 1941.

References:

  • Baker, Chuck. “Kodak Brownie Reflex & Brownie Reflex Synchro Model Camera Information | The Brownie Camera Page.” Www.Brownie-Camera.Com, www.brownie-camera.com/32.shtml. Accessed 6 Apr. 2020.

The camera with the box

Sides of the box

The inside of the camera

Viewfinder in use

This shows how the viewfinder works

Brownie Reflex Synchro Model mentioned in Kodak's book How to Make Good Pictures.