Expert: David Silver - 7/25/2006

Question
Already having professional experience with film and digital 35 mm SLR cameras, I wanted to experiment with another format. I picked up this Certo Certotrop Bee Bee (I think it's a 4x5 inch format camera)with a Schneider Radionar lens and Compur shutter. It also came with some film backs. I don't know much about this camera. Web searches haven't been too helpful. What do you know about this camera? Mechanically it seems to work, but cosmetically it isn't in great shape (leather peeling off, moderate wear on interior and exterior surfaces.) How would I go about refurbishing it so I can use it. More importantly, how do I take pictures with it: i.e. what film do I use, how do I load it? Although I bought it more to play with then to collect it, it would be good to know what the going rate is for this camera. Thanks for any information you can provide.

Answer
Hello,

The Certotrop is a very common European style folding plate camera made by Certo of Germany from 1929 to 1940.  "Bee Bee" is a generic name given to a number of different yet similar cameras that were imported and sold in American by Burleigh Brooks.  There is actually no specific "Bee Bee" model.  The Certotrop came in three standard European formats; 6 x 9 cm, 9 x 12 cm, or 10 x 15 cm.  If you think yours is 4 x 5 inch, most likely you really have the 9 x 12 cm.  You would need to find a few old style European 9 x 12 cm film holders to use with the camera, which is not the easiest thing to do today (they do pop-up on eBay).  Then 9 x 12 cm sheet film is no longer available, so you'd have to buy 4 x 5 inch sheet film and trim it to fit.  If the lens is clean and the shutter operating, I wouldn't spend a moment on "refurbishing" anything else on it.  You see, the camera is so common, you could probably find a superb example for around $100 anyway.  With moderate wear and peeling leather, yet still clean and functional, the camera is only worth about $75.  I agree it would be fun to play around with such a vintage piece, I do it with cameras in my own collection whenever I can, but this one is no great treasure, and refurbishing is simply more time and effort than it deserves.  The real key is the bellows.  If there are pinholes or other problems, don't waste ANY time on it at all.  The bellows cannot be repaired, and the cost of replacement is much more than the camera's value.  So, assuming it DOES work okay, and the bellows is sound, and you can dig up a few 9 x 12 cm film holders, then I can see making the effort to cut down some 4 x 5 inch sheets and having a go at it!  The Radionar lens isn't bad, and the Compur shutter is a champ.  I recommend using a tripod, take your time, think well about your settings and exposure, and expect to make a few mistakes.  Enjoy the experience, and most especially the attention you'll get when people see the old thing.

Best wishes,

David Silver