I have acquired an old camera from the 1930's that I have absolutely NO idea if working, or not working. 
I think I now have an idea of how to put film in and out of this thing and some basic idea of how it operates. I'm with the pesky Germans and I think it would be interesting to see if we can get some really old fashioned style photographs with it around the camp. I've done some research and there is no reason why it can't work, the shutter fires and seeing as I can only buy 3 rolls of film at a time there is some possibility of experimentation...... (Clean thoughts please!)
So anyone with experience of WW2 and pre-war photography have any advice?
It's a Voigtlander Brilliant. So German and cheap enough that a normal civilian could afford it and not beyond the realms of possibility that a German soldier may be carrying one. It is a pre-war camera so would be fairly cheap on the second hand market at the time! 
Aye, no worries. 120 film, I'll bring a light meter and help you out on the day. 
This is some advice I got from a photography forum!
"B&W and home process in a WW2 helmet at night using chemicals from a bombed out shop? OK maybe chemicals from the high street? have a search for Tony Vaccaro."
So any one want to lend a helmet??!!! 
I can source ASA 50 black and white film which is roughly the average speed for the time, so hopefully should give something like authentic results. Though I think the total lack of controls and limited options should make it rather exiting!
Just looked up Robert Capa. Some truly astonishing work (off topic) D Day landings.......
I'd get a slightly faster modern film for your first attempts... it'll be in a wood and damn hard to get decent light.
Whatever the case... CW is your man, he'll have you taking excellent pics... listen to him!
He's been there, done it had the t-shirt, burnt it, bought a new one, put that one in the coloured wash and it's gone pink, burnt it again, bought a new one... er... you get the idea. 
Just looked up Robert Capa. Some truly astonishing work (off topic) D Day landings.......
Only just?! Check out his partner, Gerda Taro, too.
http://www.icp.org/site/c.dnJGKJNsFqG/b ... a_Taro.htm
Plenty of controls on the Brilliant - should get some good shots.
I'll give you the address of a lab - no amateur snapper would have processed in the field!
I've got a Lubitel in the display cabinet that was the Russian version of the Brilliant after nabbing the German factory & equipment - I used it for some shots at a game last year.
Yes, Yith is right - a faster film speed will get you a higher percentage of good shots (there are only so many blurred and under-exposed 'atmospheric' shots you can enjoy!).
Just looked up Robert Capa. Some truly astonishing work (off topic) D Day landings.......
Only just?! Check out his partner, Gerda Taro, too.
I've seen some of the shots before, just not had the name. I'm quite late to WW2 history, my period has mainly been Napoleonic. Wladek (Craig) got me involved in all this! Good and interesting fun though!
Photography is slowly becoming an obsessive hobby of mine! The Voigtlander is the only (even) film camera I own that would fit the period look of the camp! I'm becoming versed in 35mm but never used a medium format before. I liked the shots I did with 35mm B+W film at Cassino, just I understand that anything post 1944 in the camp will gain disaproving glares!
I've got a Lubitel in the display cabinet that was the Russian version of the Brilliant after nabbing the German factory & equipment - I used it for some shots at a game last year.
Yes, Yith is right - a faster film speed will get you a higher percentage of good shots (there are only so many blurred and under-exposed 'atmospheric' shots you can enjoy!).
Right, I'll aim at a 125 ASA then. Faster but not so fast that it'll lose the period feel. Used Ilford FP4 as a 35 mm and thought the results were more than decent. Right. Off to the 'bay!
just I understand that anything post 1944 in the camp will gain disaproving glares!
Hope not, if i get the chance for a few snaps then my cheapo digital camera will be out to gather some images. If any one gives me a dissaproving glare then as a Feldgendarmerie officer I will feel that it will be necessary to log their actions, start a file and report it back to HQ for future reference 
Might even take a photo of them so we have a record 
I plan to take some too with my digital camera!
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as a Feldgendarmerie officer I will feel that it will be necessary to log their actions
Your not an officer, you work for a living
I plan to take some too with my digital camera!
Just make sure the flash is turned off...! "Vot voss zat flesh off light, Hans?!" "Ach, ze Tommies taking fotographs again! ANGRIFF!!"
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
hehe, well i was intending to take video, so i can take stills from it (much like I did at Dragoon with the MG team) my camera's flash isnt that great at capturing good photographs, or should I say, I'm not the best photographer
hehe, well i was intending to take video, so i can take stills from it (much like I did at Dragoon with the MG team) my camera's flash isnt that great at capturing good photographs, or should I say, I'm not the best photographer
Seriously?! I think we'll have enough on our plate without pausing for snaps.
I liked the shots I did with 35mm B+W film at Cassino, just I understand that anything post 1944 in the camp will gain disaproving glares!
I am being quoted out of context I say, out of context!
Are you auditioning for a job writing for the Daily Mail? 
I liked the shots I did with 35mm B+W film at Cassino, just I understand that anything post 1944 in the camp will gain disaproving glares!
I am being quoted out of context I say, out of context!
Are you auditioning for a job writing for the Daily Mail?
Well, you did say it!
I liked the shots I did with 35mm B+W film at Cassino, just I understand that anything post 1944 in the camp will gain disaproving glares!
I am being quoted out of context I say, out of context!
Are you auditioning for a job writing for the Daily Mail?
He can't be, he didn't suggest share prices would suffer as a result or blame it on imigrants.
I liked the shots I did with 35mm B+W film at Cassino, just I understand that anything post 1944 in the camp will gain disaproving glares!
I am being quoted out of context I say, out of context!
Are you auditioning for a job writing for the Daily Mail?
He can't be, he didn't suggest share prices would suffer as a result or blame it on imigrants.
Or say that photography causes/cures cancer....
