My first "serious" camera, given to me on my 14th birthday, 1957. (First camera: a "Herco Imperial") As I watched you taking it out of the case, I could still remember the feeling of doing that, including the tight snap of the upper strap. The memory of that huge thumb wheel attaching the flash was fresh as well. A friend's dad had a darkroom so I was able to make contact prints and later made a film carrier for it and made 3X enlargements. Most were pretty sharp but any motion blurred the image. I never knew it was only 1/40th/sec...no wonder there was blur. Nice report, brought back fond memories.

In 1954 when I was 12 years old this Anscoflex was a Christmas present from my grandparents. As an only child, that camera was my constant companion and photographed all I could find...especially enjoying capturing images of my family unawares. By age sixteen, i was developing and contact printing on my own. Now, after a lifetime in photography as aself-taught avid amateur, working professional and faculty member at Parsons School of Design, I am truly grateful for that gift that led me to a wonderful career.

just bought this one and i was so happy to get so cheap

I've had one of these for about 7-8 years. I've never tried it out but after watching your video and learning I could purchase 620 film and have it developed, I think I'm going to try it out. Thanks for this video! :)

Just happened to watch your video on a random popup and I wanted to tell you "Thanks", I enjoyed your work and also subscribed to your channel!

Thanks for this - very useful as I've just bought one and am still fairly new to vintage cameras. As you probably know, since you made this video it has become possible to find 620 film.

A couple of corrections... Ansco was actually an American company based in Binghamton, NY. In 1928, It merged with Agfa, and later became GAF (General Aniline and Film), but kept the Ansco name until about 1967. Meanwhile, Agfa in Germany became a different entity, and produced many, many cameras up until the 1990s. The Anscoflex and Anscoflex II are pretty cool "TLRs" and certainly a mid-century modern piece of design genius. I am pretty certain that Sears had little to do with the camera, as their Tower brand did not have a model anything like the Anscoflex. Many of the Sears cameras were made by Bilora, Halina, Mamiya, Iloca, Franka, and others. One other difference between Ansco and Agfa. Agfa cameras that took rollfilm used 120, but Ansco used 620. Damn that Kodak.

I don't know that I've seen one of these cameras, but the argoflex 75 viewfinder is also really bright- and I also like how you can look through the viewfinder backwards.

I got a broken one for Christmas (i pick it out) i love learning about it.

Just sent one to a friend in Budapest, along with this video to give him an overview. Thanks for the well done vid!

Just found one of these in my grandfather's stuff, incredibly helpful video! Might try respooling some 120 film and giving it a go!

Got one of these at a flea market for $1.00, just seeing your video on how it works lol

love the intro commercial. i recently picked up a lot of ansco all weather pan that expired in 1964 and i've been shooting it, still works okay enough :)

You can review another psuedo TLR like the one I got recently at the Saver's thrift store. It's an Argus Argoflex 75.

This is a great video on a great camera. I would only add that perhaps the forward-thinking Raymond Loewy was anticipating this camera's use for TTV and THAT'S why he put the tripod socket on the bottom: Makes it very easy to securely attach the camera to your contraption. :)

Great review. I just bought one new in the box for $10-- not sure these cameras are worthy of cotton glove handling :) Really interesting camera! FYI Fuji Acros 120 film for some reason fits into most 620 cameras I think the plastic spool is thinner than other brands.

Love your channel!

Just found one at goodwill for $4! No flash but still excited to clean it up.

Suggestions for future episodes: * Kodak Instamatic 500 (really): Made in Germany and uses 126 film * Hasselblad SWC * Zeiss-Ikon Maximar 207/3 * Polaroid sx70 (usable again with film from The Impossible Project) * Agfa Optima Parat (1/2 frame 35mm) * Any of the Electro 35 models * How about an episode on replacing film door seals?

I have enjoyed all of your this old camera episodes. Are there only five? How about reviewing the Kodak Brownie Bulls Eye, my first camera? Thanks for all of your contributions.

Looking to sell my parents' Anscoflex II (with case, flash gun and pack of 3 Sylvania Blue Dot bulbs) - this was very helpful. Thank you!

Flashbulbs! I remember the don't-drop-it-or-you'll-spray-glass-everywhere clear versions. The Brownie Six-20 was a daylight/existing light box camera without flash, as far as I know, so I didn't start burning my fingers on just-fired flashbulbs until I took up with the Yashica 44, and the Rolleicord V. Licking the flashbulb base before putting them into the battery powered flashgun was a (sorta) guaranteed way to initiate the "light blast." When consumer electronic flash units arrived, that was a Hallelujah! moment.;) 1/40 sec. and f/11? Sounds like Verichrome Pan territory. ("Ansco All Weather Pan"? Never heard of it, and VP 620 is also extinct.)

Do the A1. I consider it one of the best film SLR's with its robust 70's design and advanced options.

Really enjoyed this review and subscribed to your channel. Just bought one for experimenting. Looks like it's possible to get 35mm adaptors. Your review is the most comprehensive I've seen.

As another comment indicated, Ansco is an American Company that merged in the 1920s with Agfa, a German Company. During WWII, the Agfa assets of the combined firm such as the Agfa color film formula were seized by the U.S. government. The remarkable thing about Ansco is the fact that the invention of roll film originated with the firm and not Kodak. Eastman Kodak outright stole the idea, in spite of patents. Eventually Kodak had to pay Ansco a very large settlement. However, by all rights Ansco should have been the premier American camera and film company and not Kodak.

Consider a review of the Bell & Howell EE 127. Beautiful camera. Interesting ideas.

I have one and I'm planning on using it can you explain the full ratchet thing I'm a noob and I don't understand

Hmmm -- just got one of these with flash and case and it looks in very good shape. Though I do see a significant amount of internal dust in not only the viewfinder, but also the lens, and the yellow/closeup lenses. Interestingly mine looks almost exactly like yours, but I have no screws on the front panel -- I see them on yours between the viewfinder lens and the taking lens -- mine only has screws on the sides, and then two near the back of the "top" viewfinder lens. Any tips on how to take it apart to clean the inside surfaces of the lenses/filters? Thanks!!!

great video, but the car was a Studebaker Avantii

Would love a review of the Poloroid Land Camera Model J66!

I am not too familiar with exposure yet, but using the sunny 16 rule, would your iso have to be around 20? Since f/11 is a stop above 16, the iso has to go a stop below to 20? Is that how it works?

This was definitely one of my favourites from "30 Days of Knight" just for the viewfinder, I wish I had that on my Bronica ETRSi. As always a brilliant video, the Bronica may be a camera to consider for the future?

really great classic camera reviews. very informative. would you consider reviewing an Argus 44C range finder?

Hey! Just bought one today and would love to be able to use it. I'm confused about the exposure a little bit though. What ISO film should I put into it if the settings are fixed? I would assume 100-speed film would be fine, right? since I can't control anything else

I love the way the lens cover slides up to form part of the hood! What stops it from being a true TLR though? Is the viewing lens not quite the same as the taking lens or something?

I've been looking for this model for about a year and found one locally last week ($20 US without flash). I was surprised in your review that you didn't show off the yellow filter (BW film) or "close up" lens. Since you've had the camera for a few years and have experience with it, how well do they actually work?

Could you do a Kodak Junior six-20 Series II? Beautiful camera that I had the luck to stumble upon. I actually have a pretty large collection of old cameras that I would love your help figuring out. Would you mind shooting me a message?

how many pops do you get per flashbulb?

Io ne ho una a casa mia che è stata portata negli anni 60 da un nostro lontano parente americano

I got mine for $38 dollars at an antique shop

...and Charlton Heston.

An ad just appeared on Hamilton ON Kijiji...a guy is giving away 120/220 spools. Are you interested? Do you need me to pick up and ship to you?