GregFaster
The Ansco Panda
All-plastic box camera, produced around 1947. This 620 roll-film camera was an inexpensive option for taking medium-format snapshot photos just after WWII. It is a pseudo-TLR with a waist-level viewfinder which is not attached to the taking lens. Sometimes considered a "toy camera", the Ansco Panda may be found for low prices at second-hand sales.
The lens in my copy produces a lot of blur near the edges but the center of the plastic lens is relatively sharp by comparison.
The shutter is still snappy, which is good because there's not really any way to get into the plastic case for repair purposes.
I would recommend respooling 120 film onto a 620 spool if you want to try out the Panda. I found a trimmed-down 120 spool was a very tight fit in this old camera!
The Ansco Panda
All-plastic box camera, produced around 1947. This 620 roll-film camera was an inexpensive option for taking medium-format snapshot photos just after WWII. It is a pseudo-TLR with a waist-level viewfinder which is not attached to the taking lens. Sometimes considered a "toy camera", the Ansco Panda may be found for low prices at second-hand sales.
The lens in my copy produces a lot of blur near the edges but the center of the plastic lens is relatively sharp by comparison.
The shutter is still snappy, which is good because there's not really any way to get into the plastic case for repair purposes.
I would recommend respooling 120 film onto a 620 spool if you want to try out the Panda. I found a trimmed-down 120 spool was a very tight fit in this old camera!