Kodak No2 Hawkette: Art Deco Camera

[@barryt.johnson]

I've recently purchased one of these for my collection, and it appears that I have one of the later rarer ones, thanks to your input. I love anything Art Deco and also Bakelite items, thanks again for your video.

[@PhilMakesThings]

Yes! A new Reluctant Photographer video! I’d almost given up hope. Beautiful camera too. 👌

[@thereluctantphotographer]

Yes, it's taken longer than I had planned. There will be more to come very soon. A quick question if I can, what type of cameras do you prefer to be reviewed? David

[@PhilMakesThings]

@@thereluctantphotographer Any and all, although that’s not very useful. I’d say more unusual stuff that you don’t see very often.

[@thereluctantphotographer]

Thanks for that. I have a fair few cameras to review and I'm planning to put some film through the cameras and show the images. I have another Art deco camera (1937) that should be arriving in the next couple of days.....watch this space. PS if you like classic cars I have another channel showing my cars and restoration.....(1961 Rover P4) kzbin.info/door/BOAlVsIsmiYvCBZ8uNZHeA

[@PhilMakesThings]

@@thereluctantphotographer Excellent, I’ll have a look. I had a P5b for a while (in the 1990s when they were worth peanuts). Fantastic beasts.

[@LorraineBerkshire-Roe]

I have just taken possession of one of these, turfed out from the depths of a store room at the school where I work. This has been a really useful video and Iwill watch the others. The one I have is in really good condition and also has a spool in it, but there is a bit of damage to the bellows. Can you give me some idea of the best way to deal with repairing it? Any information will be much appreciated. Thank you.

[@thereluctantphotographer]

Thanks, glad the video was informative. For a temporary fix to the bellows I have seen people use a fabric tape which will allow you to try out the camera. If it's just a pinhole, usually at the corners, you could try a dab of silicone sealant on the inside of the bellows app with a cocktail stick, again a temporary fix. There are a number of YT videos on the subject I believe. Cheers David

[@tonyc1437]

Hi, I have just acquired this camera in good condition. However I will need to clean the lens elements. Any suggestions please?

[@thereluctantphotographer]

Getting to the back of the lens as you know is through the back of the camera once opened and can be easily be cleaned. I would, once the bellows have been extended, carefully remove the 4 screws holding the Bakelite front to the camera 'metal Frame. The front will come off as will the eye piece which just sits between a locating recess in the front plate and a metal tang on the metal frame. Once removed you can see the shutter plate, press the shutter a few times to see it working. Select the widest aperture.There is a small tab on the shutter plate which I used to move observing carefully so that the front of the lens is exposed. You can use a small piece of tape, or just hold the shutter open while you clean the shutter. I found this method the easiest option short of taken the camera apart. Mine cleaned up reasonably well. Please note this is a suggestion and the way I tackled it. I suggest using a cheap LED light behind the lens so you can see how the lens is cleaning up. PS it also showed that the bellows need work as there are light leaks!!!!!

[@tonyc1437]

@thereluctantphotographer Thankyou very much for your reply, I'll proceed with that today. Yes the bellows does require a little repair, I have the materials to complete that as well. Again thank you.

[@thereluctantphotographer]

Excellent. I'd like to hear how you get on with the repair of the bellows. Cheers David.