1936 Kodak (Nagel) Recomar 18 - Part 1

Shooting Ilford HP5+ film in a 1936 Kodak (Nagel) Recomar 18 view camera, using a Rada rollfilm back. My first attempt at using a view camera!
For those who are curious, I dated this camera neither from the camera's serial number nor the serial number of the lens, for which there are no date records (that I know of), but instead from the serial number of the Compur shutter.
If you would like to support my channel in a material way, buying me a roll or two of film is always greatly appreciated: buymeacoffee.c...

[@aeyb701]

The Rada has two windows. The centre One is 6x6 and the outer one is 6x4.5, with no 6x9 window. I found out the hard way, thinking I was shooting the latter but was in fact 6x4.5. So REMEMBER for 6x9 you need to advance by TWO frame numbers each exposure. Congrats on new channel. I’m now a subscriber.

[@oddballcamera]

Yes, thank you! I remember reading in the manual about advancing by two frames in the outer red window. I just need to remember to put the right mask in too... 🙂

[@jeffreystulin8130]

Not dry at all. Very fun, very interesting, very well done video. A tiny view camera that can also do 6x9. What a great mix of ideas in a portable size! Let's see them make a new one for use today.

[@oddballcamera]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to doing a "Part 2" to this video in the next couple of months.

[@MarkDelman-yv8ob]

Thanks for the video. Enjoyed seeing it in use and also now know who invented the 35mm film cartridge.

[@oddballcamera]

Thanks for watching to the end!

[@mortimersnerd8044]

Really good information for anyone considering picking up this kind of camera. I especially value the emphasis on how it is to use, it tells us so much more than mere specifications.

[@oddballcamera]

Thank you! I really appreciate this feedback. This is what I'm hoping to do with this channel--showing cameras such as these in use, and providing any "lessons learned" if I can.

[@tomfu9909]

Great informative video. I like the part with loading mistake coz it can happen someone who tries to use the camera and I like the brief history lecture about Mr Nagel and his contribution to film cassete standard. One uses such thing without even thinking, that someone somwhere sometime had to invent it.

[@oddballcamera]

Thank you! It always takes me a few rolls to figure a camera out, so I might as well show the mistakes so other folks can learn from my mistakes...

[@lensman5762]

I have a Voigtlander Avus of 1929 vintage of the same design. Sadly no one manufactured the 6.5X9 cm sheet film any longer so I use mine with a Rada 120 film back. The Skopar lens on this ancient camera is lovely though.

[@oddballcamera]

I love that you are still using your Voigtlander!

[@davidmowry8057]

Thanks for showing the mistakes along with the unique challenges of this camera. So many variables but really interesting!

[@oddballcamera]

It's going to take a bit more practice but I'm looking forward to getting better at using the camera!

[@randallstewart1224]

About 40 years ago, I was introduced to the Recomar when a guy sought to sell one to my local photo shop while I was there. The shop didn't want it, but $25 later it was mine, complete with original carrying case, several film holders and the always present but useless film pack holder. While cameras like this started life using glass plates, by the time the Recomar come along in the 1930s, contra the video I do not think it came set up for plates, but just sheet film. The Kodak holder for it loads only one sheet, not the two sheets common later. Kodak made two models, and mine is the other version, everything the same except scaled up to a larger size to take 9x12 cm sheet film. I found a third-party 120/620 roll holder to fit mine, so it can still be useful. Within a size, there were variations. My Recomar 33 offered three lenses. Mine has the less common Zeiss Tessar, 135mm, uncoated of course, in a fully functioning Compur shutter. Most use a nice Kodak Anastigmat lens, and a tiny number mounted a lens from Leitz (probably just to fill the need when Zeiss was short on the Tessar, a common practice among German makers). Thanks to really being a Nagel product, the Recomar is beautifully made, high precision, and likely to be fully function when found.

[@oddballcamera]

That's an awesome story, thank you for sharing! As you say, these cameras are really beautifully made and definitely reflect their quality Nagel roots. I didn't realize that some copies were provided with Leitz lenses! Have you shot with your Recomar 33 lately?

[@randallstewart1224]

@@oddballcamera Sadly no. I put a roll of 120 through it after I bought it, and it has been a conversation item a few times, but I've never really used it. The Recomar is of a class and style of cameras from the teens to the early 1930s, none of which are particularly convenient to use by modern standards. (For those with cameras of odd film sizes, note that Ilford annually offers special film size orders in small quantities if made through authorized dealers, so B&W 9x12cm sheet film can be had.)

[@Analoguelady]

Just watched this and found it really interesting, not dull at all! Searched for part 2 but can’t find it, did you do a part 2? Thanks.

[@oddballcamera]

Thank you! You didn't miss Part II...I haven't created it yet. 🙂 Hope to have that done in coming months. Stay tuned!

[@donaldlampert331]

Very thorough, and informative video! I have one of these cameras, but have never used it… but this has me inspired to try it out! In all, very cool photos!

[@oddballcamera]

Thank you! These are really nice cameras to shoot with.

[@paolociccone]

My first camera was a Retina, so you can imagine my delight in learning about its origin from your video. Thank you for collecting and sharing these important historic details.

[@oddballcamera]

Very nice! I would like to own a Retina someday.

[@Fabianweso.]

I use my retina iia as my main travel camera and it's great, have gone through around 10 rolls

[@ChrisTDownTheRabbitHole]

Dr. Nagel never made a bad camera. Actually he made only great cameras. Not only the Retinas, but for example the very same time that Zeiss Ikon in mini format offered only the ill-fated Kolibri, Dr. Nagel had the lovely Pupille.

[@oddballcamera]

So true! I hope to own a Pupille someday.

[@factorystudio]

Very nice video. I have a Nagel 18 that its basically the same camera i think! I was wondering if Fomapan 6,5x9 sheet film is good for that camera...do you have some info about it ? There is no info online!

[@oddballcamera]

You're right, the Nagel 18 is exactly the same camera! The Recomar 18 was the direct continuation of the Nagel 18...the only thing that changed was the name embossed into the leather covering. Fomapan 6.5x9 sheet film should work perfectly! The Nagel 18 and Recomar 18 were originally supplied with combination film/plate holders (basically a plate holder with a cut film insert). If you don't have one of these they are relatively easy to find online. Since making this video I have bought a couple of these myself, and hope to use them in this camera in the future.

[@theundefinedphotographer]

What a quirky and compact 6x9 camera (even though you ended up shooting 6x6). I find that these older cameras are great for creating sharp black and white images.

[@oddballcamera]

Likewise! I'm looking forward to shooting this one again in the 6x9 format.

[@nelsonm.5044]

The process of shooting with this camera is quite similar to the process of large format .... minus the weight of the camera. I was surprise to see how sharp is the lens especially on your close-up shot

[@oddballcamera]

To be honest, I was very surprised how sharp the lens is too. It's a 4-element Tessar design. I think I can get even better results with a little more practice!

[@aeyb701]

Plate holders are available on eBay but you’ll likely need the insert sleeves or shims to use film. That said, there’s a cottage business on Etsy or elsewhere that makes plate film. Former eastern block country , I forget which. Young guy started up.

[@oddballcamera]

Thank you! After posting this video I've since been able to locate two original combination plate/film backs that are specific to the Recomar 18! These are original backs with the film inserts and even the outer paper storage sleeves. I'm pretty excited to give them a shot. The young guy that makes dry plates that you're thinking of is in Slovenia. The name of his company is Zebra Dry Plates. He also has an awesome KZbin channel called "Lost Light Art". There's also a guy in the USA that makes dry plates, and I've bought plates from him before to use with my Kodak 3A. His name is Jason Lane and the name of his company is Pictoriographica. Lots of fun!

[@aeyb701]

I’ve got partly used film packs. 4x5 and 9x12cm. Also have a recomar but it’s 9x12. Shot a few frames on film pack. Box speed 125 so shot at asa 10 to start. Just guessed. Not processed yet but have an old Kodak tank specifically for film packs.

[@oddballcamera]

Very nice! I hope you get some interesting results!

[@terrybehm3835]

I have a recomar 18 but also a Voigtlander Avus and Bergheil (they take the same plateholders). Plateholders are easy to find on ebay, the kodak plateholders are best and fit glass plates, film or paper negatives. For a double plateholder the arcap plateholders are excellent and also fit all three. They are fun cameras.

[@oddballcamera]

Fantastic! Yes, I've been looking for the original Kodak combination plate/film holders that originally came with the Recomars and have found a few on eBay. A few "well-used" examples online right now--I'll definitely buy a couple once I find the right deal. I will probably also try shooting actual plates someday too (J Lane makes plates in the 6.5x9 size). Also, thanks for the tip on the Arcap plateholders!

[@terrybehm3835]

@@oddballcamera The arcap double plateholders have a two sided film adapter and will take 2 1/2x31/2 (6.5x9) and also 21/4x31/4 film or paper. in addition to glass plates.

[@mnoliberal7335]

I have one of those,the larger one, which came with a 120 and an 828 back.

[@oddballcamera]

Awesome! I believe the larger version is called a Recomar 33, right?

[@QARIB_JEWELRY]

Awesome👌

[@lelenacci1]

I have the version with the name Nagel 18 (1928-1934): it is a beautiful camera capable of creating very beautiful images.

[@oddballcamera]

That's awesome! What technique do you use to shoot with your camera?

[@lelenacci1]

@@oddballcamera We use the same technique, but I avoid pulling the dark slide too far from the roll film holder to prevent light from entering (there is a line engraved in the paint that marks the limit). I really like using it in natural environments. Thanks for your beautiful videos!

[@oddballcamera]

@@lelenacci1 Ah, very interesting! Thanks for sharing that--I'll have to try that technique. The light leak patterns I saw on my negatives could be indicative of light leaking through the dark slide light trap.

[@tim31415]

It's a decent bet that a folder from the 1930's will have light leaks in the bellows. I have had good luck with Zeiss and Voigtlander, but others are a crapshoot,

[@oddballcamera]

Yes, I need to double-check the bellows on this camera as well.

[@andyvan5692]

at 8:27 ..... "there is your problem", you didn't cover the darkslides slit, it was facing up, in direct sunlight!!, no wonder the light leaks. (place the slide over the slit, or use the focussing cloth to cover it), or better yet, get a camera store to repair the light seals, they could be on the way out, due to the age of this camera back (where the ground glass fits), or the back of the film magasine, either can leak light.

[@oddballcamera]

Thanks for the tip! Someone else had noted that problem as well. I'll definitely try again with this technique!

[@andyvan5692]

@@oddballcamera also a tip, as the light leaks don't look like the "rays from heaven" from either corner, a starburst if you will, try also with the back service, the light seals around the 'red_window' as this could explain the bar style pattern, aka light leaking from an angle through a seal in the window's cover flap, or through the seal from the back to the glass itself.

[@andyvan5692]

@@oddballcamera one more, with roll film, ALWAYS load the roll in subdued light, this can stop light working it's way through a lose film on a spool to the emulsion surface, and also when loading KEEP TENSION on the roll ( both at the loading stage, and at the end of the roll when you 'Lick & Stick' ) this aids in both frame spacing, not losing the roll mid shoot (due to freeing up of the wind_on spool), and also tension on the pressure plate, so good alignment on the 'film/focus plane' .