☰ Menu
Art Deco Cameras

Bilora Boy

Specification


Bilora Boy
Bilora Boy
Manufacturer: Bilora
Produced: 1949 - 1950
Classification:Medium Format
Body Type:Box
Construction:Bakelite
Film Type:127
Film Width:46mm
Image Size:40 x 65 mm
No. of Images:8
Lens Type:Meniscus
Focal Length:60mm
Focus Type:Fixed
Focus Range:10ft to inf
Aperture Type :Fixed
Aperture :f/16
Shutter Type:Leaf
Shutter Speeds:T,I*(1/100 sec)
Size (w x h x d):75 x 100 x 78mm
Weight:240g
* Measured on this camera

Art Deco Credentials

star star star
Noteworthy: Worth giving special attention

Description

The Bilora Boy Box camera was manufactured by the Kurbi & Niggeloh Company of Radevormwald/RHLD, Germany. This camera is capable of capturing 4 X 6.5 cm exposures on no. 127 roll film. It is made of Bakelite and shows a Streamline Moderne design. It has a fixed focus lens with a single aperture of f/16. It has a simple time and instantaneous shutter. It has a single Galilean finder. It has a threaded shutter release to accept a cable release. Film advance is by red window. There is no tripod socket. The camera is opened by rotating a release on the rear of the camera and removing the back section.

How to Use

This camera takes 127 film which is still available from select outlets - search for 'Rera Pan 100-127' which is a black & white film. For those photographers in the UK, try Nick & Trick photographic services. If you want to use a particular type of film which is not available commercially, then you can cut your own 127 film from any 120 film. See my page on 'How to cut 127 film from 120 film'.

As the shutter speed is only 1/100s, it is advisable to hold it against a wall or other solid object to get shake free images. For quick snapshots, hold it firmly against your face.

If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide shown. It is based on the 'Sunny 16' rule. Film is so forgiving and will produce acceptable results even when overexposed by 2 or 3 stops or underexposed by 1 stop.

The tables assume that the sun is at least 30 degrees above the horizon - that's 10am - 5pm on a summers day (May - August) in the UK.

Remember that the exposure guide in the manual may not be helpful as it is based on the use of old film with a low ISO value.

Using ISO 100/125 film - shutter speed 1/100s

Weather ConditionsShadow DetailApertureExposure
Sunny
Snow/Sand
Dark
with sharp edges
f/16+1 Stop
Overexposed
Acceptable
SunnyDistinctf/16Good
Slight OvercastSoft around edgesf/16-1 Stop
Underexposed
Acceptable
OvercastBarely visiblef/16-2 Stops
Underexposed
Not Acceptable
Heavy OvercastNonef/16-3 Stops
Underexposed
Not Acceptable
Open Shade
/Sunset
Nonef/16-4 Stops
Underexposed
Not Acceptable

Using ISO 400 film - shutter speed 1/100s

Weather ConditionsShadow DetailApertureExposure
Sunny
Snow/Sand
Dark
with sharp edges
f/16+3 Stops
Overexposed
Acceptable
SunnyDistinctf/16+2 Stops
Overexposed
Acceptable
Slight OvercastSoft around edgesf/16+1 Stop
Overexposed
Acceptable
OvercastBarely visiblef/16Good
Heavy OvercastNonef/16-1 Stop
Underexposed
Acceptable
Open Shade
/Sunset
Nonef/16-2 Stops
Underexposed
Not Acceptable