Wednesday 30 July 2014

Kodak Brownie 'Cresta' update

I just got back the processed film negatives from the 1955 Kodak Brownie 'Cresta' camera that I picked up recently for a couple of quid.
Film from cameras of this age, do not usually come out too well, and when the labs rang me after processing, I initially thought it would be to say 'sorry, but there's nothing on it' as is so often the case. Surprisingly, on this occasion they called to say 'Hey, it looks like you've got some pretty reasonable negs here!' and they were right. On first inspection, they would appear to be fairly consistent with the age of the camera itself, probably taken in the late 50's, maybe someone who knows cars (looks like a rather lovely late 50's Citroen DS to me) and ladies fashions better than me can help out? Family snapshots taken on a European (Mediterranean) holiday I'd say, anyone like to hazard a guess where?











Wednesday 23 July 2014

Kodak 'Brownie' Cresta Camera

A bit of a shout out this morning for DS Colour Labs in Stockport who offer a great film processing service for my ongoing Sling Film side project. They just called to say the roll of film that came in my 1955 Kodak 'Brownie' Cresta camera (£2 from Lancaster Antiques Centre) has been processed and appears to have 12 lovely 6"x6" exposures of a 1950's/60's family on holiday. Can't wait to get the negs back now for scanning!!

The Kodak 'Brownie' Cresta was introduced in 1955 and was manufactured in the UK until 1958. Taking twelve 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" exposures on 120 roll film.
The Cresta has a fixed focus f14 'Kodet' lens with a built in sliding close up lens.
It also has a single speed shutter of 1/40th second.
It's a simple hobbyist camera which was known for achieving impressive close up results.
This early model 1 Cresta can be distinguished from later models by the ribbed front casing and the presence of the coaxial flash sync cable.