Eastman Kodak introduced the first Duaflex camera in the post-World War II era of consumer photography boom in 1947. It is a twin lens reflex camera or TLR designed to be simple to use for the amateur photographer. TLR means that the camera has two lens, one over the other. The bottom lens takes the photo, while you use the top lens via a 45-degree angle mirror to compose the image. It uses 620 film and can take 12 images per roll.
Instructions
1. Acquire 620 film. Kodak stopped making this film in the mid-1990s, as did most other manufacturers. You still can buy it though, mostly online. If you can, you are all set. If you cannot, find empty 620 film spools. Antique shops as well as online auction sites may offer these. Buy 120 film---a film type still available from some manufacturers---and load it onto the 620 spools. The film size is the same, but the spools are different. You will need to do this in total darkness without even a safelight on.
2. Open the back of the Kodak Duaflex camera. If there is an empty spool in the bottom position, move it up to the top position near the viewfinder. If no empty spool is in the camera, you will need to insert one. Then, load the full film spool into the bottom chamber with the paper backing facing up. Pull the paper backing across the lens chamber and insert the tab into the empty spool on top. Use the wind knob on the outside of the camera to turn the empty spool to take up the film. When you are certain it is securely taking up the film, close the camera back. Then wind the film enough to get the first frame behind the lens.
3. Take the camera outdoors and get ready to shoot. Unless you have the flash bulb unit, you will not be able to take photos indoors without sufficient lighting. Holding the camera at approximately the level of your waist, look directly down into the viewfinder on the top of the Kodak Duaflex. There is no focusing mechanism on this camera, so simply compose your image, which will be reversed right to left. When you have the image, push the shutter button on the right side of the camera. Then, use the wind knob to advance the film to the next frame. When you finish the roll, keep winding the film until the knob moves freely. Open the camera back, take out the exposed film, holding it tightly, and use the tape to keep the film from spiraling out.
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