I fond one of thee cameras that works well. It’s become my favorite and I shoot it all the time, the sharpness and contrast of the lens seem very good to me.
To clarify film loading and its advancement, you load film and manually advance with the crank to the first frame as noted in the video. Then..., you turn the little wheel next to the base of the film advance lever until its window matches Frame 1. From that point, you can cock the shutter, make the first exposure, then advance the film to the second frame with the cranking lever as usual, which also releases the shutter lock and advanced the frame counter to frame 2. In effect, you are aligning the film for automatic advancement by setting the first frame, rather than aligning the "start" arrow on the film roll paper leader. Otherwise, note that the lens is the better triplet made by Wollensak, which, with Kodak, was one of the two major camera lens makers in the US at that time. The same lens was one of several lenses used in two of the much cheaper and popular Ciroflex TLR models. Interestingly, Wollensak made at that time a 4-element Tessar-copy lens, which was being used in the Ciroflex F model and could have literally been dropped into this Ansco TLR, either as an option or the one lens used. The lens Ansco used will do a very nice job if shut down to F 8.0 for exposure, but not so much at wider apertures. It's about par with the Zeiss Novar lens used on a lot of the German budget TLRs and folders in the 1950s.
I first watched this episode 2-3 years ago. I decided I wanted one because the other TLRs I liked were either astronomically expensive or just nearly impossible to find (e.g. Olympus Flex). Also, there was the historical appeal of the last American made high-end camera. Well, after looking for a while I gave up. I just couldn't find one, even on eBay over many months. While visiting Hong Kong this week, I went to a camera store in one of the more out-of-the way places. Most of his film cameras had seen much better days, but he had two long rows of TLRs. Almost all of them were Rollei's with a few Yashica's or Mamiyas. Then I saw the ANSCO. I guess my eagerness showed, as he wouldn't give on the price at all. The condition was actually surprisingly good aesthetically. As I hadn't seen this video recently, I was clueless on how to use it. There was no fungus, but I could see some scratches on the taking lens. I was able to put a roll of film through it (at my cost for film and developing) and was pleased with the results (mostly I was amazed I nailed exposure, even if a few shots were out of focus). The scratches didn't seem to compromise the image as I had several very sharp and crisp photos. So, as of yesterday, I now own an ANSCO Reflex. Your video was critical to me not breaking the exposure lock mechanism. You weren't joking about the weight -- that's a weapon and a half. Anyway, thanks for the video.
My Dad was given one for services rendered....dont know when. Given to me when I was a teenager learning photography. Loved that camera and wore it out. Graduated to a Mamiya C - 330 / C - 33. Then on to 35mm SLR and finally 35mm digital / smart phone. Retired now from custom photo finishing / graphic arts production.
A couple of years ago, a prototype version of the Automatic Reflex was soldon ebay for around $200. It's distinction was that Ansco mounted a 4 element Tessar-copy lens of the same 83mm. The back story was that it was acquired by an Ansco employee when the company shut down and sold off its assets, including the company "collection" of its cameras. Apart from their tiring weight, these were very nice cameras. Most now suffer from hazy viewing/focusing from dirty reflect mirror and viewing optics - easily cleaned.
Another great episode, Ted. I really enjoy these videos where you give us in-depth looks at the cameras in your closet. Plus, the audio and video production of your videos is fantastic. Very pleasing to watch and listen. I'll echo the suggestion by another viewer. Please include some example photos at the end and perhaps compare them to other cameras of the same style or vintage. It would be really cool (but would take a lot of planning/time/effort) if you could take a reference photo of the same scene with your cameras and show and post those for comparison. Thanks again!
Thanks Ted, for the great content, I've been loving this series. I just picked up a Seagull 4B-1 on a recent trip to Beijing. As it's my first foray into medium format/ TLR's, the experience has been fantastic albeit hairy at times.
Great stuff. In my travails I have lived and worked in both Rochester and Binghamton NY (home to Kodak and Ansco). As a photographer I have been interested in the birth, life and now unfortunate death of these companies. The "Ansco" site made meany products by different names and has a convoluted history. I enjoyed seeing this episode today. Reading over some of the recent post I hope the "shoot out" is not to far off.
You should have no problem shooting it with a modern flash if it has a PC sync port. I've shot a seagull TLR from the early 60's with studio strobes and a radio trigger conected to it with a PC cable...
theartofphotography PLEASE HELP! I am not new to digital photography but new to 35mm(film). I recently purchased a Pentax K1000. It was supposed to be in excellent condition with new battery for the light meter. Well, light meter is broken. OK. I was pissed but I know enough to judge aperture and shutter speed but it can be hard because it only goes as far as 1/1000. Anyway, it came with the kit lens 50mm 2.0. From what I can tell, lens is in good shape. Heres the thing...when I try to focus, it's very very difficult. In the daylight, it's better but it's always juuust on the side of being out of focus. In low light, forget it. It's a crap shoot. I took a roll and the pics were clear for the most part just very soft. Should it be like this or is it supposed to be crystal clear? I can't seem to find anyone to answer properly. I love the simplicity of this camera. I just would like to know if it focuses this way naturally. Like I said, my pics were not bad for a first time user and no light meter. Can u help? Thanks.
That was fascinating look at a camera I hadn't come across before. Isn't it interesting that they would produce a camera aimed at he pro market, and not start with a great lens, and build the rest around that?
I imagine 2 years after WWII costs and materials were still an issue. They could have used the 4 element Wollensak, but that would have driven the cost up.
I guess you're right, Ted. Maybe they could have used a bit less aluminium? Looks like a great camera, anyway. I'm looking forward to a comparison test between some of those TLRs you've been showing us.
From one TLR nut to another...great video. Just a note. Be extremely careful buying one of these. They can get jammed up by uniformed users and are difficult (expensive) to repair.
I fond one of thee cameras that works well. It’s become my favorite and I shoot it all the time, the sharpness and contrast of the lens seem very good to me.
To clarify film loading and its advancement, you load film and manually advance with the crank to the first frame as noted in the video. Then..., you turn the little wheel next to the base of the film advance lever until its window matches Frame 1. From that point, you can cock the shutter, make the first exposure, then advance the film to the second frame with the cranking lever as usual, which also releases the shutter lock and advanced the frame counter to frame 2. In effect, you are aligning the film for automatic advancement by setting the first frame, rather than aligning the "start" arrow on the film roll paper leader. Otherwise, note that the lens is the better triplet made by Wollensak, which, with Kodak, was one of the two major camera lens makers in the US at that time. The same lens was one of several lenses used in two of the much cheaper and popular Ciroflex TLR models. Interestingly, Wollensak made at that time a 4-element Tessar-copy lens, which was being used in the Ciroflex F model and could have literally been dropped into this Ansco TLR, either as an option or the one lens used. The lens Ansco used will do a very nice job if shut down to F 8.0 for exposure, but not so much at wider apertures. It's about par with the Zeiss Novar lens used on a lot of the German budget TLRs and folders in the 1950s.
I first watched this episode 2-3 years ago. I decided I wanted one because the other TLRs I liked were either astronomically expensive or just nearly impossible to find (e.g. Olympus Flex). Also, there was the historical appeal of the last American made high-end camera. Well, after looking for a while I gave up. I just couldn't find one, even on eBay over many months.
While visiting Hong Kong this week, I went to a camera store in one of the more out-of-the way places. Most of his film cameras had seen much better days, but he had two long rows of TLRs. Almost all of them were Rollei's with a few Yashica's or Mamiyas. Then I saw the ANSCO. I guess my eagerness showed, as he wouldn't give on the price at all. The condition was actually surprisingly good aesthetically. As I hadn't seen this video recently, I was clueless on how to use it. There was no fungus, but I could see some scratches on the taking lens. I was able to put a roll of film through it (at my cost for film and developing) and was pleased with the results (mostly I was amazed I nailed exposure, even if a few shots were out of focus). The scratches didn't seem to compromise the image as I had several very sharp and crisp photos.
So, as of yesterday, I now own an ANSCO Reflex. Your video was critical to me not breaking the exposure lock mechanism. You weren't joking about the weight -- that's a weapon and a half.
Anyway, thanks for the video.
My Dad was given one for services rendered....dont know when. Given to me when I was a teenager learning photography. Loved that camera and wore it out. Graduated to a Mamiya C - 330 / C - 33. Then on to 35mm SLR and finally 35mm digital / smart phone. Retired now from custom photo finishing / graphic arts production.
A couple of years ago, a prototype version of the Automatic Reflex was soldon ebay for around $200. It's distinction was that Ansco mounted a 4 element Tessar-copy lens of the same 83mm. The back story was that it was acquired by an Ansco employee when the company shut down and sold off its assets, including the company "collection" of its cameras. Apart from their tiring weight, these were very nice cameras. Most now suffer from hazy viewing/focusing from dirty reflect mirror and viewing optics - easily cleaned.
Another great episode, Ted. I really enjoy these videos where you give us in-depth looks at the cameras in your closet. Plus, the audio and video production of your videos is fantastic. Very pleasing to watch and listen.
I'll echo the suggestion by another viewer. Please include some example photos at the end and perhaps compare them to other cameras of the same style or vintage.
It would be really cool (but would take a lot of planning/time/effort) if you could take a reference photo of the same scene with your cameras and show and post those for comparison.
Thanks again!
Thanks Ted, for the great content, I've been loving this series. I just picked up a Seagull 4B-1 on a recent trip to Beijing. As it's my first foray into medium format/ TLR's, the experience has been fantastic albeit hairy at times.
Great stuff. In my travails I have lived and worked in both Rochester and Binghamton NY (home to Kodak and Ansco). As a photographer I have been interested in the birth, life and now unfortunate death of these companies. The "Ansco" site made meany products by different names and has a convoluted history. I enjoyed seeing this episode today. Reading over some of the recent post I hope the "shoot out" is not to far off.
agree. It would give these overview a lot more meaning if we could see some of your photos taken with the cameras!
I’ve been skating for your videos. I love your help so much. I haven’t seen you mention Yashica. Any reason for that? Specifically TLR’s
I think it the flash sync would work with modern flashes as well because it just completes the circuit to fire the flash.
Great information
I have a Weltaflex camera. Have you heard about that?I just shot my first role of film with that camera.
"...optimised for use in well lit situations"
Haha! Gotta remember that one
I work the humor all out in advance ;-)
You should have no problem shooting it with a modern flash if it has a PC sync port. I've shot a seagull TLR from the early 60's with studio strobes and a radio trigger conected to it with a PC cable...
I owned one and it would not work with electronic flash. Just flash bulbs only. Some old cameras had a M-X setting for such situations.
theartofphotography PLEASE HELP! I am not new to digital photography but new to 35mm(film). I recently purchased a Pentax K1000. It was supposed to be in excellent condition with new battery for the light meter. Well, light meter is broken. OK. I was pissed but I know enough to judge aperture and shutter speed but it can be hard because it only goes as far as 1/1000. Anyway, it came with the kit lens 50mm 2.0. From what I can tell, lens is in good shape. Heres the thing...when I try to focus, it's very very difficult. In the daylight, it's better but it's always juuust on the side of being out of focus. In low light, forget it. It's a crap shoot. I took a roll and the pics were clear for the most part just very soft. Should it be like this or is it supposed to be crystal clear? I can't seem to find anyone to answer properly. I love the simplicity of this camera. I just would like to know if it focuses this way naturally. Like I said, my pics were not bad for a first time user and no light meter. Can u help? Thanks.
That was fascinating look at a camera I hadn't come across before. Isn't it interesting that they would produce a camera aimed at he pro market, and not start with a great lens, and build the rest around that?
I imagine 2 years after WWII costs and materials were still an issue. They could have used the 4 element Wollensak, but that would have driven the cost up.
I guess you're right, Ted. Maybe they could have used a bit less aluminium? Looks like a great camera, anyway. I'm looking forward to a comparison test between some of those TLRs you've been showing us.
Things were well made in the '60s.
Is there any way to set the shutter speed and if not what is the shutter speed?
Tod Davis Sorry forgot to mention it - yes - you turn the bottom lens ring and that changes the shutter speed.
One of the best! Very overbuilt and over engineered.
Again, no images!
From one TLR nut to another...great video. Just a note. Be extremely careful buying one of these. They can get jammed up by uniformed users and are difficult (expensive) to repair.