eBay is a dangerous place for all sorts of reasons; but one reason is that it is awash with film cameras of various vintages at prices that appear extremely reasonable (especially after a few beers).

As a result I find myself to be the proud (or occasionally surprised, depending on the number of beers) owner of a number of ancient cameras; the oldest of which is this:

P9160003 by pattayadays.com, on Flickr

P9160005 by pattayadays.com, on Flickr

PB070007-2 by pattayadays.com, on Flickr

The printing on the inside helpfully tells us it is an 1896 Kodak Bullseye No.2

The Bullseye was originally built by the Boston Camera Company and was the first to have a backing sheet on the film onto which were printed the exposure numbers, which you then viewed through a little red window on the back. George Eastman liked the idea and wanted to copy it; so he bought the Boston Camera Company to save paying royalties and re-issued the Bullseye under the Kodak name in 1896. The camera continued in later versions over subsequent years, and of course led to The Brownie in 1900 which changed everything. The 1896 version seems to be the best because the fittings appear to be brass.

These cameras are quite common on eBay, but usually the case is in tatters and there are often parts missing. This one had a scruffy case but it was intact, all the parts were present and everything worked. It was listed with a starting bid of fifty pounds, but nobody had bid so I snapped it up. There then followed many hours with saddle soap and boot polish on the case, and Brasso on the fittings, but the end result is quite a pretty little 117 year old camera. Sadly I can't put a film through it because Kodak stopped making 101 film a long time ago. I could adapt it for 120 film; but it is in too good condition to be mucked around with. Instead it will join the growing number of analogue oddities which my son will inherit even though he probably doesn't want them.

Great investment.

Get a Rolleiflex in perfect nick whilst you still can at the right price.

It's funny how an old Ford Capri or even Cortina is now worth ludicrous sums. At least these are easy to keep (dry cabinet) and are a lot more interesting.

Fantastic FR...simply fantastic!

I got burned on eBay a few years ago & haven't used em since.

Glad to read somebody else got a decent deal.

Take great care of that antique!