Servicing a pair of Ponies for a private collector

**ismaelg** · 03-25-2022, 09:55 PM - **9 Likes**

Hello,

I don't usually work on other people's cameras. However, there is a local fellow photographer and collector who is a great guy and we talk frequently. He loved the Pony 135 I restored and got these on eBay: A Pony 135 Model A and a Model C. They were both complete but the shutters were not working. Typical of these cameras. I agreed to service them.
Here is the story in pictures:

Pony 135 Model A:
The Model A was extremely gunky and dirty inside. Had to be taken apart completely.

Everything was deep cleaned and put back together. The lens was collimated.

The end result:

Shutter speeds are well within tolerance, even closer than my own Model A.

Pony 135 Model C:

The Model C was also quite dirty inside. This one put up a slightly bigger fight than the other.

Some evidence of light moisture damage and minor rust.

It was eventually submitted to obedience, went back together, collimation etc.

The end result:

Shutter speeds are not as accurate as the other one but still within tolerances.

Both together:

His reaction? He looked at me with a funny face and said "Did you trade them in for new ones?" He was very pleased. I also took the time to go over the operation of each one in details. Loading, unloading, frame counter, shutter cocking, advance, focusing, rewind, etc. Even practiced with my workbench test roll.
He is very happy. I hope to see some images soon.

Thanks,
Ismael

womble · 03-25-2022, 11:19 PM - **1 Like**

Super work as always! I live seeing these old work horses cleaned and repaired.

**BigMackCam** · 03-26-2022, 04:57 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ismaelg

He was very pleased

I'll bet he was - and is. That's incredible work, Ismael... and - not surprisingly - to your usual high standard. Both cameras look superb, and I've no doubt he'll have a blast shooting them

If he's willing to share a sample image or two some time in the future, I'd love to see something from one or both of the cameras...

**UncleVanya** · 03-26-2022, 07:16 AM - **1 Like**

Fantastic as always.

**Sam_I_am** · 03-27-2022, 01:35 PM - **1 Like**

Look what happens when you get one Pony, pretty soon you have a herd. All of which are excellent examples of their breed.

**ismaelg** · 12-13-2022, 08:18 AM - **1 Like**

Hello,

Remember these? We have become good friends. He told me a while ago he shot a roll on each camera. Recently sent for development.
Here are some samples of each. These are quick home scans.

Most impressive is that no meter was used. All based on sunny 16 estimates

Pony 135 Model A / No info on the roll other than 200 speed

This one is my favorite. It has an elementary school History book feel to it

Pony 135 Model C / Kodak TMax 400

Glad to see old ponies back on the saddle!

Thanks,
Ismael

kypfer · 12-13-2022, 11:10 AM - **1 Like**

The early-model Pony always fascinated me, with it's collapsible lens housing … such a neat touch

These and their UK "counterparts", the Colorsnap, were a styling favourite of mine.
I used my Colorsnap once or twice, back in the day, but not the slightly more sophisticated Ponies … happy days

**Sam_I_am** · 12-13-2022, 04:57 PM - **1 Like**

They sure work well. The image quality is better than my mom's Kodak 124 instamatic.

03-25-2022, 09:55 PM - 9 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Servicing a pair of Ponies for a private collector Hello, I don't usually work on other people's cameras. However, there is a local fellow photographer and collector who is a great guy and we talk frequently. He loved the Pony 135 I restored and got these on eBay: A Pony 135 Model A and a Model C. They were both complete but the shutters were not working. Typical of these cameras. I agreed to service them. Here is the story in pictures: Pony 135 Model A: The Model A was extremely gunky and dirty inside. Had to be taken apart completely. Everything was deep cleaned and put back together. The lens was collimated. The end result: Shutter speeds are well within tolerance, even closer than my own Model A. Pony 135 Model C: The Model C was also quite dirty inside. This one put up a slightly bigger fight than the other. Some evidence of light moisture damage and minor rust. It was eventually submitted to obedience, went back together, collimation etc. The end result: Shutter speeds are not as accurate as the other one but still within tolerances. Both together: His reaction? He looked at me with a funny face and said "Did you trade them in for new ones?" He was very pleased. I also took the time to go over the operation of each one in details. Loading, unloading, frame counter, shutter cocking, advance, focusing, rewind, etc. Even practiced with my workbench test roll. He is very happy. I hope to see some images soon. Thanks, Ismael

03-26-2022, 04:57 AM - 1 Like	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,644	Originally posted by ismaelg He was very pleased I'll bet he was - and is. That's incredible work, Ismael... and - not surprisingly - to your usual high standard. Both cameras look superb, and I've no doubt he'll have a blast shooting them If he's willing to share a sample image or two some time in the future, I'd love to see something from one or both of the cameras... Last edited by BigMackCam; 03-26-2022 at 12:33 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Machinery The Ponies	eaglem	Post Your Photos!	8	12-07-2020 08:59 PM
People Ponies Loose in Town	Kerrowdown	Post Your Photos!	2	10-05-2014 11:58 AM
Landscape Windy Post Cross and Ponies	Dartmoor Dave	Pentax K-3 Photo Contest	4	05-21-2014 02:03 AM
Trick Ponies	davef	Post Your Photos!	9	08-04-2008 06:02 AM
Snow Ponies Painting	clarenceclose	Post Your Photos!	4	01-08-2007 05:19 AM

03-25-2022, 11:19 PM - 1 Like	#2
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	Super work as always! I live seeing these old work horses cleaned and repaired.

03-26-2022, 07:16 AM - 1 Like	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,381	Fantastic as always.

03-27-2022, 01:35 PM - 1 Like	#5
Sam_I_am Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Toledo, OR Posts: 851	Look what happens when you get one Pony, pretty soon you have a herd. All of which are excellent examples of their breed.

12-13-2022, 08:18 AM - 1 Like	#6
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681 Original Poster	Hello, Remember these? We have become good friends. He told me a while ago he shot a roll on each camera. Recently sent for development. Here are some samples of each. These are quick home scans. Most impressive is that no meter was used. All based on sunny 16 estimates Pony 135 Model A / No info on the roll other than 200 speed This one is my favorite. It has an elementary school History book feel to it Pony 135 Model C / Kodak TMax 400 Glad to see old ponies back on the saddle! Thanks, Ismael

12-13-2022, 11:10 AM - 1 Like	#7
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,588	The early-model Pony always fascinated me, with it's collapsible lens housing … such a neat touch These and their UK "counterparts", the Colorsnap, were a styling favourite of mine. I used my Colorsnap once or twice, back in the day, but not the slightly more sophisticated Ponies … happy days

12-13-2022, 04:57 PM - 1 Like	#8
Sam_I_am Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Toledo, OR Posts: 851	They sure work well. The image quality is better than my mom's Kodak 124 instamatic.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search