tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>Going simple this time and using a camera that is probably very familiar to those in the US, but somewhat scarce downunder.<br> According to my McKeowns, the Beacon was made from 1950 to 1958....not a bad model run, by Whitehouse Products of Brooklyn and not by the President in his spare time.<br> I like the Beacon, nicely made with a touch of Art Deco, and a neat folding system. Shutter speeds are restricted to time and instant...what else do you need, and there is even a setting for the IQ of the user, ie...dull or bright...and I switched it straight to bright!<br> The lens is a coated doublet, it says so on the front, so you would expect it to perform better than a Brownie....which it does, just slightly. Uses Brownie film too, so I had to re roll some Tri-X onto a 620 spool before I could use it. So here is the camera and a couple of pics.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>And some pics, taken mainly of boats.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>Next.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>No.3</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>No.4</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>Last one.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>Whoops, forgot to attach the pic.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>Thanks for looking. Really enjoyed the Beacon, slips well into a generous pocket when folded, and the images are just a smidgen away from being sharp, but quite satisfactory given the neg size. What's more you can improve your intelligence at the flick of a switch!<br> Film was Tri-X in Pyrocat HD, scanned on Epsom V700.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod_larson Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 <p>I can't say the Beacon is overly abundant here in the US. At least I haven't seen one in while<br> scrounging around for old cameras. Maybe in other parts of the country though.</p> <p>I also like the Art Deco look. Very cool. Great photos too. Even a cheap camera can do very<br> well in capable hands.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_drawbridge Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 <p>Well, I'll have to say that the Beacon performed much better than I would have anticipated, and I suspect the skill of the operator had some bearing on that... Nice work <strong>Tony</strong>, I've seen examples of the Beacon on our local auctions, but never one in the flesh. Just love these "cameras of the people", and it's great that we can discuss and demonstrate them on this Forum. Keep up the good work!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew in Austin Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 <p>The Beacon deuce and a quarter is an unknown to me. The camera seems to perform admirably well with the scenic shots, all of which are very well composed.</p> Best Regards - Andrew in Austin, TX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_jeanette1 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 <p>I always considered the Beacon to be a creepie cheepie. You brought out the best in that beast. Great work. I too like that deco look. I will always remember fondly the Bantam Special I picked up for a song at a flea market. If only it took 35mm. That bantam stuff became harder and harder to get, and eventually, I didn't want to keep a shelf sitter that I could turn to profit.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 <p>Nice work. These 'box' cameras can be sweeties in the right hands.</p> <p>Even 9 years after WWII there was still pent-up demand for cameras, any cameras.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_doucette Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 <p>I think I have the version in JDM's 1954 guide. Here it is, still as dirty as when I got it probably 35-40 years ago. I'll need to find some 620 spools to give it a try.</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoryAmmerman Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 <p>Nice work Tony. I really like the subject matter, and the Beacon seems to be doing an admirable job. A bit of blurring in the corners but not too bad. any idea what the aperture and shutter speed are?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_lockerbie Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 <p>Thanks all for the comments! Cory, going by the ad that JDM has provided, the shutter speed is 1/50th and the aperture is F12...kind of what you would expect.<br> The lens, at 70mm, is a touch wide, and as you say is a bit soft around the edges....as well as vignetting a bit. The quality is one step up from a Brownie though.<br> BTW, my McKeowns priced it at around $1.00....I paid way over the odds at $10.00!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gammill Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 <p>Nice results from a camera with modest specs. I've actually heard of this one, but these are the first results that I've seen. Thanks for sharing.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_bergman1 Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 <p>Tony,</p> <p>You did a real fine job with this camera. I always like your seaside pictures.</p> <p>I found a catalog page from 1954 showing the various models with flash.</p> <p> </p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 <p>I've been very busy.. so I'm just now getting to our favorite forum... Excellent results! I am so envious of your Pyrocat Results.. I use better cameras and get far worse results Kudos Tony! </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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