The Ilford Advocate Gets a Run Out

The Ilford Advocate is a white enamelled diecast aluminium alloy camera made from 1949 by Ilford's subsidiary Kennedy Instruments, who also made the exotic K.I. Monobar 35mm monorail camera. There was also the ultra rare Ilford Witness. I'm not sure what the thinking was behind these judicial names.

 

It has a little Dallmeyer Anastigmat 35mm F/4.5 lens and an two blade shutter with speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/150, 1/300 and B. It is cocked automatically when the film is advanced. This early version lacks the flash connectors fitted later.

 

 

It worked well in use, although changing settings with the tiny control scale markings was something of a challenge with my eyesight, as was using the bright but small viewfinder. The sideways movement of the shutter release also took a little getting used to. I started with some pictures of sunny shop fronts etc, then finished the film at a very dull classic car show. The pictures don't show critical sharpness although the expired 400 ISO film was probably not helping mattters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's it for now, thanks for looking.

Tragically, think of the people who used "lomography" products instead of these wonderful old cameras:oops:

Looking at the picture of the camera with the back open, I'm surprised it's not prone to light leaks.

I've hankered after an Advocate forever, but down here in new Zealand they are a very rare item and consequently somewhat expensive when they are offered for sale. Does my memory serve me right when I suggest that one was gifted to the then Princess Elizabeth around 1950? Possibly a shrewd publicity move! Your results show that it's a capable little camera, and it's unique appearance and history render it highly collectable. Thanks for a very readable description and the fine sample images.

Thanks for the comments.

 

I'm surprised it's not prone to light leaks.

 

Gary, actually the film door is very well engineered with plenty of overlapping. And I always use old cameras in their cases to reduce leakage. True, some of the pictures were ruined by light leaks but only when I stupidly opened it before the film was fully rewound - you depress the film advance knob for rewinding. To be honest I was surprised to get all 36 exposures, the shutter is so quiet that I began to wonder whether it was opening at all.

 

one was gifted to the then Princess Elizabeth

 

I can't find any reference to that Rick. I'll ask her next time I see her. Here's a close up of the lens etc:

 

The photos are better than I expected, it does a great job. Keep the camera long enough and you might be able to retire on the proceeds you get from selling it.

 

A recent sale down-under ....

 

Ended:

30 Sep, 2021 21:36:21 AEST

Price:

AU $599.00

Postage:

AU $10.00 Standard Postage

Great job with a sweet-looking, simple classic. Thanks for sharing.

Ah, I knew I'd seen it somewhere! From Wikipedia : "A pre-release Advocate series 1 camera was given to Princess Elizabeth in 1948. It was stolen, but later recovered when it was sent to be repaired." Please give her my regards when next you're speaking with her. Edited October 9, 2021 by rick_drawbridge