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Art Deco Cameras

Standard Conway De Luxe

Specification


Standard Conway De Luxe
Standard Conway De Luxe
Manufacturer: Standard Cameras Limited
Produced: 1952
Classification:Medium Format
Body Type:Box
Construction:Cardboard/Wood/Metal
Film Type:120
Film Width:62mm
Image Size:2¼ x 3¼ in
No. of Images:8
Lens Type:Meniscus
Focal Length:115mm
Focus Type:Variable
Focus Range:10ft to inf.
(4-9ft with close-up lens)
Aperture Type :Fixed
Aperture :f/14
Shutter Type:Rotary
Shutter Speeds:B, I*(1/35 sec)
Extras:Green Filter
Size (w x h x d):95 x 110 x 130 mm
Weight:467g
* Measured on this camera

Art Deco Credentials

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Acceptable: Modest and restricted

Description

The Conway De Luxe camera was manufactured by the Standard Camera Ltd. company of Birmingham, England in 1952. It is a simple box camera designed to capture 6 x 9 cm exposures on 120 roll film. It's body is constructed from card on a Bakelite frame with a metal film transport system. It has a very decorative metal front plate mounted on a chrome surround. It has two brilliant finders for horizontal or vertical photos. The viewfinders are covered with hinged protectors. On the top, it has a ribbed plastic handle. It has no tripod mount.

The fixed focus meniscus lens covers distances from 10 ft. to infinity but a built in close-up lens can be swung into place for subjects between 4 to 9 ft (1-3 m). It only has a simple time and instantaneous exposure shutter. There is a built-in retractable green colour filter that can be slid into place. A green filter is mainly used for photographing plants as it helps separate the green foliage from the brightly-coloured flowers and buds. The film advance is not coupled to the shutter release so double exposure is possible. It has a red window to view frame numbers.

How to Use

This camera takes 120 film which is easily available.

As the shutter speed is only 1/30s, it is advisable to use a tripod to get hold it against a wall or other solid object to keep the camera steady. For quick snapshots, hold it firmly against your body.

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 1/30s

Weather ConditionsShadow DetailApertureExposure
Sunny
Snow/Sand
Dark
with sharp edges
f/14+3 Stops
Overexposed
Acceptable
SunnyDistinctf/14+2 Stops
Overexposed
Acceptable
Slight OvercastSoft around edgesf/14+1 Stop
Overexposed
Acceptable
OvercastBarely visiblef/14Good
Heavy OvercastNonef/14-1 Stop
Underexposed
Acceptable
Open Shade
/Sunset
Nonef/14-2 Stops
Underexposed
Not Acceptable