Old Kodak Vigilant

[stephljones]

I took both of these pictures with my EOS Canon Rebel xsi. This is a Kodak Vigilant. They were made from 1939-1949.

This one has an Anastigmat f4.5 lens and a Kodamatic shutter. Does anyone recognize this camera? Know anything about it?

It has been in my family forever, and I have had it for over 10 years...but, never even opened the case. (there is a leather field case that goes with it) It has been lost in moves, found and displayed, packed up again...probably one of the reasons she is in such great shape!

It seems like it is pretty dirty...which is to be expected. I would like to take the lens apart and clean the magnifying view finder thing. (i just have no idea what to call it!! but, it is so dirty you can hardly see the reflected image.)

Thanks for any help and advice!

[mjs1973]

I have one of these cameras, but it has a different lens, and shutter. Mine too has a very dirty view finder (the one attached to the lens) that you can't see through. I can't tell if the top of the view finder snaps together, or if it's designed so it can be taken apart. I also have an old Kodak Vollenda that has a very similar design. The view finder on the Vollenda has 2 screws on it that makes me think it will come apart.

Do you plan on using this camera? If so, I would take it to a camera repair shop and have someone who knows what they are doing take a look at it. They may be able to clean it up for you and test everything to make sure it works. I have used mine once or twice, but now it's a decoration.