This camera came all the way from Iowa – in its original box – “From DIXIE”. It came with it’s original instruction sheet. There was even film inside! This teeny tiny (2″ x 3 1/4″) plastic camera was made in the U.S.A. It takes 8 images on 828 film. I finished off the roll. The shutter opens when the lever is pushed either up or down. There are no settings. The instruction sheet warns in capitol letters, “DO NOT TAKE PICTURES ON DULL, CLOUDY DAYS OR IN SHADE.” As it turned out, the previously exposed images didn’t materialize. The film was too muddy and fogged. I could only make out one image that I’d taken. It’s of one of my favorite subjects, the peeing alien. I love the instructions: “For sharp clear pictures, keep main part of subject (head, etc.) in center of picture as seen through View Finder.” (In other words, nothing but the center is in focus. “Pictures you take will show more of the subject than you see in the viewfinder.” (This instruction sheet could be a primer for any plastic camera, eh?)
Click on any image for a larger view:
And the second roll…
Okay, what I found from the second roll was that the only area in focus is the very left edge of the image. This camera has some horrendous light leaks. That’s funny because the other day, while plying my trade, I was talking to a photographer friend of mine. She also teaches piano. We were discussing the attributes (or lack of attributes) of a certain piano. She mentioned something about the piano not being quite up to par. I said, “But it’s probably okay to learn on…” She answered, “Well, Marcy, let’s put it this way; You wouldn’t use a camera with light leaks, would you?” To which I astutely answered, “Um…er…ah…”
McKeown’s PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS 2005-2006 states, “Earl Products Co. c1950. Small plastic novelty camera for 25x25mm exposures on 828 film. A small metal mask supports the film in an arched position. This mask is usually missing, and the camera would appear to take a larger image, but the film would not travel properly or be in focus. Formerly marketed under the Cub name by American Advertising and Research Co. Both the Cub and the Scenex were used for premiums by various companies. $12-$20.
