Junk and Cheap Camera Month: Will it or won’t it work for me?

This is another camera I got for free as it didn’t work. It sounded like it worked as it would fire and you could manually advanced it, but the flash would not charge and the low light LED was not working. That meant the batteries were not connecting. The batteries power the flash and the world’s first ever autofocus system. The meter is a CdS system which unlike a selenium cell, require battery power.

Other than the battery issue, the camera was really clean, barely a mark on it.

It was released in 1977 and was superseeded by the AF2 in 1980, I have already tried that camera a while ago. As mentioned, it had the first ever auto-focus system. When compared to more modern systems, the AF on this one was pretty basic. There is no focus lock and the subject would have to be within the focusing square. There is also no on/off switch, you need to cover the cell above the lens to stop it drawing power…or so I have read.

As this one was so clean, other than some slight residue in the battery compartment, I wanted to put some effort into bringing it back to life. So, the first line of attack was cleaning the grud off the connectors and hoping that would enable the batteries to start powering the camera. If that occured, I would see the low-light warning LED and know the camera was also powering the CdS. I might also hear the flash trying to charge.

Out with the vinegar and cotton buds and clean, clean, clean…but the camera did not power on. Hmph!

The connectors inside the camera looked cleaner and shinier, but the one on the door looked dull. Maybe that one was stopping the circuit. So the next thing I tried was some metallic tape. And VOILA!!! We have sound and a light.

BUT that was no guarrentee the flash would fire, which would be disappointing. If a camera has been left for a long time without occasionally firing the flash, the condensor sometimes fails. BUT…yatta!! this one did fire, so time for a film test.

I loaded a very short roll of expired Ilford Pan 400 and tried to change the ASA dial around the lens. It was stiff. I ended up using a lens removal rubber ring to push it in and move it. After that it was still a bit stiff but moved. Then I took a photo of my dad using the flash and I went for a walk.

It was a very, very dull day with little contrast, but I think the camera did well. I used the flash on the heather which made it look a little brighter.

So did it work for me? Yes, eventually. And now I am passing the camera onto someone else. I got it for free so I have given it a new home for free.

Oh and I know I have made a post a day over the last few days. That might not happen from tomorrow as…THE STUDENTS RETURN..arrrrrggghhhh!! Kidding, I have missed them, but I am sure I will be tired.