# What brand and model of camera is this? (1930s or earlier)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 17, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372 "2017-03-17T02:03:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NoriMori](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/norimori/32/13254_2.png) [@NoriMori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoriMori)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372/1 "2017-03-17T02:03:18Z")

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[This](http://media.gettyimages.com/videos/manhattan-at-sea-the-ship-that-bears-us-olympic-athletes-to-the-1936-video-id542772226) is a video of some of the US Olympic team’s activities aboard the SS _Manhattan_ in late July 1936. At about 1:01, there is a brief shot of Tidye Pickett using a small camera. I was wondering if anyone can identify the camera brand and model?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372/2 "2017-03-17T02:20:19Z")

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My guess: [Univex AF-3](http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/camera-1258-Universal_Univex%20AF-3.html)

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**Author:** ![NoriMori](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/norimori/32/13254_2.png) [@NoriMori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoriMori)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372/3 "2017-03-17T02:35:08Z")

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I think you’re right! Thank you very much! 🙂

(Of course, if anyone has a different idea, don’t be shy!)

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**Author:** ![NoriMori](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/norimori/32/13254_2.png) [@NoriMori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoriMori)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372/4 "2017-03-18T17:47:35Z")

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Hey beowulff, after checking out the AF series, I was wondering, what makes you say AF-3 rather than AF or AF-2? Is it the lightness of the front plate, suggesting a silver front plate rather than a black one?

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372/5 "2017-03-18T18:06:08Z")

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> [@NoriMori](#):
>
> Hey beowulff, after checking out the AF series, I was wondering, what makes you say AF-3 rather than AF or AF-2? Is it the lightness of the front plate, suggesting a silver front plate rather than a black one?

I’m not an expert - it just looked like a good match.

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**Author:** ![NoriMori](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/norimori/32/13254_2.png) [@NoriMori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoriMori)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brand-and-model-of-camera-is-this-1930s-or-earlier/782372/6 "2017-03-18T18:07:51Z")

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Ah, I see. I just ask because the front plate seems to be the only feature that would distinguish it from the other AF models. Anyway, thanks!