The Kodak Brownie Cresta 3

The “famous” Kodak Cresta 3 camera, frequently compared to a Holga produced by Kodak Eastman in London during the 60’s still a great camera that totally rules.

For a long time I’ve been looking for information about the “famous” Kodak Cresta 3 camera, frequently compared to a Holga camera due to the vintage effect it produces and the possibility of using 120 film on a point and shot camera created for some sort of vacation and holiday usage, however my efforts haven’t come to a happy ending, which is why I’ve decided to write and offer some information about it since I’ve been using it for a while.

Anyone who has ever been looking for information about this camera has found that the camera was produced by Kodak Eastman in London during the 60’s introduced in 1960 and discontinued in 1965 belonging to the Brownie family.

The camera has a beautiful design, with a black and gray delicious body and with the Kodak label on the plain direct viewfinder. Fashioned out of Bakelite, One of the first plastics made from synthetic components used for its electrically non-conductive and heat-resistant properties in radio and telephone casings and electrical insulators, and also in such diverse products as kitchenware, jewellery, pipe stems, children’s toys and ¡brownie cameras!.

The Kodak Cresta 3 has a Dakon lens and a single 1/40 speed and f11, with the option of switching to f12and a close-up filter by pulling a small aluminum sheet located inside of the shutter to left and right. The camera also offers the possibility of synchronizing with a Kodak flash on the mount located at the left side of the camera, however is not easy to find one of those. The camera is basically composed by two main parts, the top of it holds the film and the bottom works as a dark box and also has the shutter mechanism.

The features of this camera are its simplicity which makes it really easy to use and the possibility of taking multiple exposures due to the manual film advancing system. However it has a problem and it’s the lack of the “B” setting which makes it virtually impossible to take a picture on indoors or low light conditions. But still it is a great camera.

Here are some of the pictures I’ve taken with it, film: the first ones on Fuji Velvia 100 and the second ones the result of putting 35mm Fujifilm Superia Reala 100 on a 120 spool with the backing paper and everything (quite a task) – I owe you the very first roll I took, believe it or not it takes the most beautiful black and white photos.

In few words, the Kodak Brownie Cresta 3 camera is a wonderful 1960’s vintage camera that can still offer the possibility of taking some really interesting pictures. Even though it might feels a little bit limited the results can be great but it is up to the photographer, it totally rules.

written by juanfcorrea on 2011-03-20 #gear #review #brownie #vintage-camera #lomography #kodak #film-camera #user-review #cresta-3