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Also listed are "Acceptable versions", this is only a
recomendation to reenactors wishing to join the 167th SPC.
(Please note that non-acceptable versions of any camera
may be allowed,
if only to show the evolution of a certain model of camera in a display.)
Speed Graphic 4x5 (Military designation: PH-47)
Due to the film size, the Speed Graphic 4x5 was the "Official" still camera of the U.S. Army during WWII.
The speed graphic received it's name from the special focal-plane shutter that could capture light up to the speed of 1/1000th of a second.
Up until 1973 The Graflex Corp. had produced 9 different models of the speed graphic. Including medium (3-1/4" x 4-1/4"), and miniature (2-1/4" x 3-1/4") film sized versions. |
 Civilian Pre-Anniversary
Speed Graphic 4x5 |
 167th SPC, CU 123
1st Lt.
Arnold E. Samuelson |
During the war, the government contracted Graflex to make over 350,000 cameras for military use. When the war ended the Government made an agreement with Graflex that it would scrap nearly all Graphics produced for the military, so the home market would not be flooded with surplus Speed Graphics.
Non-military Graphic 4x5s are fairly easy to come by and shouldn't cost more than $100-150. Military models will cost $500-700.
For more information on the Speed |
| Graphic visit: www.graflex.org For an original US Army training film on the Speed graphic visit here. |
Acceptable versions: Post-war Pacemaker Speed Graphic 4x5s, with silver lens plates, are acceptable until a suitable wartime/prewar version can be acquired. Medium and Miniature versions are allowed under the same conditions. |
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Rolleiflex 120 TLR (and Rolleicord)
Due to the fact that the Rolleiflex was German made, it was never produced for the U.S. Military. But, none-the-less, it found it's way into many a combat photographers hands, either by personal purchase, or by being found on the push into Germany.
Thanks to it's superior optics, and the ingenious twin-lens-reflex (TLR) system, the Rolleiflex was the premiere medium format camera and
is still used and produced to this very day. |
 Rolleiflex Automat
Type 2 1939-1945
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 167th SPC, CU 123
1st Lt.
Arnold E. Samuelson |
Wartime Rolleiflexes are somewhat rare and cost in the range of $200-
300.
Rollei also produced a cheaper and less advanced version of the Rolleiflex called the Rolleicord.
Rolleicords are fairly common and should cost anywhere from $50-100.
For more information on
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Rolleicord II
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Rolleis visit: www.rolleiclub.com |
Acceptable versions: Early versions are cheaper than modern models and thus are preferred.
Rolleicords are also accepted.
Note: Graflex also made a look-alike camera called the
Ciro-Flex. These are much cheaper, and are allowed. |
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Leica 35mm
Invented in 1925, the Leica 35mm was, and still is, considered the best 35mm camera ever made. With it's superior German engineered optics, and sturdy construction, the Leica soon changed the photographic world and became a legend.
In 1932 Leica came out with the Leica II with built in range-finder on the top |
Leica I circa 1925 |
167th SPC, CU 123
T-4 J Malan Heslop |
of the body. For many years the Leica was a staple for any professional photographer.
Each combat unit in the 167th SPC was issued one Leica for their personal photographs.
Due to the collectability of Leicas, A typical Leica can cost anywhere from $200-500.
However, After the war ended, Russian counterfeiters mass produced fake, less reliable, versions of the Leica. Many were plastered with German Army symbols and were a popular tourist trap.
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These Russian copies usually go for $50-150. But, be warned, they rarely work properly.
For more information on the Leica click here. |
35mm Roll Film Sources: It is still largely produced.
NOTE: The leader of the film must be trimmed to the appropriate size before use. |
Acceptable versions: Leica models I-III are allowed.
Russian copies, as long as they are not gold, are Acceptable. |
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Argus C-3 35mm
Also called "The Brick", the Argus C-3 was the most popular 35mm camera for almost 30 years. It can be said that the C-3 made 35mm format what it is today.
With a special
diaphragm shutter built into the body of the camera, the Argus C-3 was able to utilize interchangeable lenses and thus |
Argus C-3 |
Unknown photographer
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became a mainstay with amateur photographers up until the 1960's.
One of the more famous
photojournalists to use this camera on a regular basis was Pvt. Tony Vaccaro. Vaccaro fought with the 83rd Infantry Division through France and Germany, and is thought to have taken the largest amount of
photos of WWII by any
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Tony Vaccaro |
single person. He is also noted to have developed the film in his helmet. |
A wartime C3 costs only $10-15. The C3 is a great starter camera for reenactors interested in combat photography.
For more information on the C3 click here. |
35mm Roll Film Sources: It is still largely produced. |
Acceptable versions: Post-war C-3's with black
plastic film counters are allowed, however,
wartime/prewar models are preferred. |
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Kodak 35 35mm (Military designation: PH-324) and 35 RF
To combat the huge success of the Argus C-3, Kodak started production of their first 35mm camera, and in 1938 introduced Kodak 35.
Because of it's simple design, ease of use, and the fact that it was cheap, the Kodak 35 was second most popular camera for civilians and amateur photographers to use.
When the war started, the government contracted Kodak to produce a line of the Kodak 35 for military use. With black trim and a flat, Olive drab midsection, the Kodak 35
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Top: Civilian Kodak 35
Bottom: Military PH-324
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167th SPC, CU 123
T-4 J Malan Heslop |
was designated by the military as the PH-324. Due to it's film size, It was never used officially by the military, but, was used by photographers and soldiers as their own personal camera.
Owning up to their agreement with Kodak, the military bulldozed almost all PH-324s. Many of the few surviving models have been painted black
because they had been smuggled out when the war ended.
Civilian Kodak 35s are very common and cost about $15-30. However a |
Kodak 35 RF |
PH-324 may cost $300-500. |
Later in the war Kodak produced the Kodak 35 RF, which was basically the 35 with a range-finder mounted on top. These should cost about $30.
For more information on the PH-324 click here.
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35mm Roll Film Sources: It is still largely produced. |
Acceptable versions: All models of the 35 allowed.
35 RF's are accepted. |
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