How about trying to revive and use a 72+years old box camera?

**ismaelg** · 12-15-2019, 07:41 AM - **2 Likes**

Hello,

Recently, a relative of a friend sent me this for my collection. An Ansco Shur Shot Jr. At first I thought just to clean it for display but wait: This takes 120 film... hmmmm
How about getting it to work? Darn it! Like if I needed another project!
A little datestamp says 5-47. That's over 72 years ago.

Yikes! Nothing moves. Metal parts are rusted. I'm sure those critter nests are not supposed to be there. Lets' see how it goes. Stay tuned...

Thanks,

**UncleVanya** · 12-15-2019, 07:45 AM

Good luck!

aaacb · 12-15-2019, 07:50 AM

Looks ... challenging?

What's the second part in the second photo, the trapezoidal piece? The film goes over the wider part and the reels are at the back of the camera?

thazooo · 12-15-2019, 08:15 AM

If you get stuck try here.....
Vintage Camera Collectors Public Group | Facebook
That's all they do is live and breath old cameras

**boriscleto** · 12-15-2019, 09:48 AM

There's a Vintage Camera Repair Group

The Vintage Camera Repair Group Public Group | Facebook

And a group to post photos taken with vintage cameras...

Vintage Camera Users Public Group | Facebook

**TwoUptons** · 12-15-2019, 09:58 AM

I bought one of those at a yard sale 25 years or so ago for $1. I paid more to have the roll of film that was in it developed. Some interesting family shots from probably 30 years before that.

It isn’t the best camera I own, but it could be a fun project... and a little simpler than your last few

-Eric

**ismaelg** · 12-15-2019, 10:14 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks gang!
It is definitely simpler. Since it is a single lens, color film would be a waste most likely due to CA, PF and all those nasty stuff that were not fully understood back then. I think B&W is the way to go. And since there is no control whatsoever, I think ASA 400 would work. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's make it work first.
Thanks for the links. Only problem is I "divorced" Facebook over a year ago. We are not in good terms

Thanks,

---------- Post added 12-15-19 at 01:44 PM ----------

Hello again,

OK, I studied how it should work and started cleaning some of the rust. This is 72+ years old cardboard so I have to be very gentle. Lightly lubricated the springs and moving parts and after a while we are GO! Single speed, no other type of control. It doesn't get any simpler than this.

Quick video:

Youtu.be

It works! Now to gently freshen the cosmetics as it is quite beaten up.

Thanks!

**mlt** · 12-15-2019, 01:49 PM

ISO 400 might be severe overkill as these were probably designed for around ISO 50 at best.

Mistral75 · 12-16-2019, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

(...)Lightly lubricated the springs and moving parts and after a while we are GO! Single speed, no other type of control. It doesn't get any simpler than this.

(...)

Single shutter speed or any speed you determine with your own finger speed?

**Serkevan** · 12-16-2019, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

Single shutter speed or any speed you determine with your own finger speed?

Seems like you CAN determine it with your finger speed. If you manage to hold the lever exactly in the middle you get long exposure... or a half-exposed image if you miss

**ismaelg** · 12-16-2019, 06:09 AM - **2 Likes**

Not really. The exposure is determine by the tension of the spring that opens the round plate. How fast or how slow you press will only determine at what point it will open, but I don't see anyway to control the time it is open. Keep in mind these were very simple and cheap cameras even in their time.

Thanks,

Mistral75 · 12-16-2019, 08:59 AM

^ Thank you for your explanation.

e_nogueras · 12-17-2019, 02:17 AM

Looking forward to see you taking pictures with this one. I think it will draw some attention.

**ismaelg** · 07-18-2020, 05:30 AM - **1 Like**

Hello,

Ok, back to this slow project for a minute. Since this is mainly cardboard and nails, there is really not much to disassemble without destroying it. The good thing is that since this is mainly cardboard and nails, there is not much to disassemble anyways.
After the simple shutter mechanism was brought back to life, a good clean was in order. Both viewfinders were cleaned inside and out the best I could. Far from perfect but they do their job. The outside covering (not sure if some sort of leatherette or what) was carefully cleaned with 409 household cleaner. I had no idea how it would react so I went very gently. It was clean but the top was dull, so I did a bit of "Bling" experiment and added a touch of Armor All on the top only. The faceplate is very delicate. The first touch of mild cleanser and the vertical lines suffered. So it was left alone.
This can use 120 film. However, from the little I've searched, the little red window does not align with anything currently available. So I'm using the paper backing of used film (no film) to calibrate how many turns of the knob are required. That's where we are now. It will still be a while but I hope I can eventually run a roll thru it.

Thanks,
Ismael

Aaron28 · 07-18-2020, 06:52 AM

cool ! have several of these......as long as the spring is good!!! some cleaning and lubing will get it to snap as it should or hold a 'timed' exposure.....in some cases i have had to take a hammer to tack down the plate nails from it coming lose !! once secure works fine!

typically these box types are around 1/50 sec in speed.....for outdoors the lowest iso possible prolly best....opposite indoors.....have yet to run a roll yet but have a few that certainly could even after my 'repairs'

12-15-2019, 07:41 AM - 2 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683	How about trying to revive and use a 72+years old box camera? Hello, Recently, a relative of a friend sent me this for my collection. An Ansco Shur Shot Jr. At first I thought just to clean it for display but wait: This takes 120 film... hmmmm How about getting it to work? Darn it! Like if I needed another project! A little datestamp says 5-47. That's over 72 years ago. Yikes! Nothing moves. Metal parts are rusted. I'm sure those critter nests are not supposed to be there. Lets' see how it goes. Stay tuned... Thanks,

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12-15-2019, 07:45 AM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Good luck!

12-15-2019, 07:50 AM	#3
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,726	Looks ... challenging? What's the second part in the second photo, the trapezoidal piece? The film goes over the wider part and the reels are at the back of the camera?

12-15-2019, 08:15 AM	#4
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	If you get stuck try here..... Vintage Camera Collectors Public Group \| Facebook That's all they do is live and breath old cameras

12-15-2019, 09:48 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	There's a Vintage Camera Repair Group The Vintage Camera Repair Group Public Group \| Facebook And a group to post photos taken with vintage cameras... Vintage Camera Users Public Group \| Facebook

12-15-2019, 09:58 AM	#6
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,223	I bought one of those at a yard sale 25 years or so ago for $1. I paid more to have the roll of film that was in it developed. Some interesting family shots from probably 30 years before that. It isn’t the best camera I own, but it could be a fun project... and a little simpler than your last few -Eric

12-15-2019, 01:49 PM	#8
mlt Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,159	ISO 400 might be severe overkill as these were probably designed for around ISO 50 at best.

12-16-2019, 03:09 AM	#9
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by ismaelg (...)Lightly lubricated the springs and moving parts and after a while we are GO! Single speed, no other type of control. It doesn't get any simpler than this. (...) Single shutter speed or any speed you determine with your own finger speed?

12-16-2019, 04:59 AM	#10
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Mistral75 Single shutter speed or any speed you determine with your own finger speed? Seems like you CAN determine it with your finger speed. If you manage to hold the lever exactly in the middle you get long exposure... or a half-exposed image if you miss

12-16-2019, 06:09 AM - 2 Likes	#11
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683 Original Poster	Not really. The exposure is determine by the tension of the spring that opens the round plate. How fast or how slow you press will only determine at what point it will open, but I don't see anyway to control the time it is open. Keep in mind these were very simple and cheap cameras even in their time. Thanks,

12-16-2019, 08:59 AM	#12
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	^ Thank you for your explanation.

12-17-2019, 02:17 AM	#13
e_nogueras Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Barceloneta Photos: Gallery Posts: 325	Looking forward to see you taking pictures with this one. I think it will draw some attention.

07-18-2020, 05:30 AM - 1 Like	#14
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683 Original Poster	Hello, Ok, back to this slow project for a minute. Since this is mainly cardboard and nails, there is really not much to disassemble without destroying it. The good thing is that since this is mainly cardboard and nails, there is not much to disassemble anyways. After the simple shutter mechanism was brought back to life, a good clean was in order. Both viewfinders were cleaned inside and out the best I could. Far from perfect but they do their job. The outside covering (not sure if some sort of leatherette or what) was carefully cleaned with 409 household cleaner. I had no idea how it would react so I went very gently. It was clean but the top was dull, so I did a bit of "Bling" experiment and added a touch of Armor All on the top only. The faceplate is very delicate. The first touch of mild cleanser and the vertical lines suffered. So it was left alone. This can use 120 film. However, from the little I've searched, the little red window does not align with anything currently available. So I'm using the paper backing of used film (no film) to calibrate how many turns of the knob are required. That's where we are now. It will still be a while but I hope I can eventually run a roll thru it. Thanks, Ismael

07-18-2020, 06:52 AM	#15
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	cool ! have several of these......as long as the spring is good!!! some cleaning and lubing will get it to snap as it should or hold a 'timed' exposure.....in some cases i have had to take a hammer to tack down the plate nails from it coming lose !! once secure works fine! typically these box types are around 1/50 sec in speed.....for outdoors the lowest iso possible prolly best....opposite indoors.....have yet to run a roll yet but have a few that certainly could even after my 'repairs'