Camera Review
Quite often working in the lab, family and friends will come to me with their old cameras. Sometimes for advice, sometimes enquiring its worth, sometimes just as gifts. I simply love testing these relics.
We think of film cameras having a rather standardised way of working these days, however back in the mid/early 20th century there was some real genius or not so genius functions to these machines, and I love these early experiments in function.
The Ilford Advocate is no exception, this camera which has been passed down 3 generations now is over 75 years old and produced just after the Second World War. Iām told the first British made 35mm camera (?) the body is cold to the touch due to its enamelled body and I must remember not to leave it in the sun for risk of being burnt.
Everything about this camera is solid. The loading mechanisms, the winders, the shutter speed ring (kinda tough to adjust) On the inside of the camera there is notice recommending using FP3 or HP3, quite hard to get your hands on these days. I wonder what they would have thought about the XP2 I loaded it with in the 1940s.
Anyway, absolutely gorgeous camera to use, the shutter is so quiet I was constantly doubting that it was even firing. However chuffed to see once processed that it is perfectly functioning, with even space between the frames and a sharpness to the images that is to be envious of, especially for such an old camera.
Note: this camera is not currently for sale as it will be joining my arsenal for foreseeabiule.
