A Westex 127 camera from Westminster Camera Exchange.

[Stephen]

The shots were taken with a red filter, (from a USSR cine camera!), most shots at F8 setting on the Schneider Radionar 50mm lens, and 1/25th second shutter speed, using a Bolex Monopod for steadying. The 50mm lens on 127 gives a slightly wide angle view due to large negative, compared to 35mm.

I have found the focus issue cause, it is one of the struts tabs a little bent out of true, now carefully bent straight and the lens board and shutter looks parallel to the body now, but of course it needs a re-test to make properly sure.

Balda's design for the struts is good, but not quite in the league of Welta etc., a bit more reliant on the rests etc., that position the lens board. Welta's was considered the best system, but was far more complex, bring the lens out of the body truly parallel as it expanded, which some cheaper types do not bother to do.

A pleasant camera to use, and despite needing cosmetic attention , all works well, at nearly 80 years old.

Stephen.

[Stephen]

The Aylesford Priory Main Church

[Stephen]

The cost of the Westex camera at £5 12s 6d was above average weeks pay of about £4 10s in 1937/38, although those who bought cameras were probably the better off anyway, and earning above this basic figure. It was therefore quite a costly camera, but then, when has a hobby been cheap?

Stephen

[Rachel]

I do enjoy your pictures Stephen.

[Stephen]

Thanks, studying the negs the lens does hot spot a bit, there is a drop in the corners of about 1/2 stop, and there is a bit of barrel distortion. The softer edge on one side was down to the strut problem, I have checked with a ground glass and it is now correct side to side.

The general contrast was a bit low, but the Gimp restored it quite well. Even the barrel distortion can be corrected in the program, and correction for "leaning" shift was applied to straighten up verticals.

The Westex leather will be left for now, treated with Klear floor polish to stabilise the surfaces, and missing bits painted in, or added with black sealing wax. The interior is all OK, just needs a polish.

Have to look out for a suitable vintage small leather case or a modern zip pouch for the camera.

The next camera to test is the Baldina, the larger cousin to the Miniature 127, with a colour neg film.

Stephen.

[Stephen]

The shot shows the relative sizes of the two Baldas, the Westex 127 is by far the smallest of the two types, which both have 50mm lenses, the Radionar on the 127 covering 30x40mm negs, rather than 24x36mm, sounds small, but is 25% larger negative area than 35mm.

Stephen.

[Stephen]

River Medway at Aylesford, with a duck, the river is tidal in this river reach, just down river from the Sea Locks at Allington,Nr Maidstone, in Kent, the water is fresh here due to flow. Nice vintage view to suit the Westex.

Now got to cut down some more 127 film, and try some colour film in the Westex.

Stephen.