#model 300

[grrl-beetle]

Pierre Paulin

[morriswild-blog]

To Summarise:

- I found an interesting case in a skip in South East London

- It contained an old photographic device called the ‘Coreco Automatic Colour Camera, Model 300’

- Through research I found that the camera was produced in the 1940s with the purpose of taking fully automatic close-up medical photographs.

- Through play I discovered how the camera functions using an archaic automated system to maintain the variables that form an image.

- The variables are controlled physically, via the use of different attachments for different purposes.

- The attachments included in the case I found are intended for photographing the interior of the vagina.

- Intrigued, I have decided to try and restore the device to working order

- I expect that the mechanism which allows the device to function could yield interesting results if experimented with and perhaps subverted.

[morriswild-blog]

On the 2/10/2012 on a wet autumnal day I found a sodden case in a skip in South East London. The case had caught my eye as I passed it, on its side it was embossed with the word CORECO in faded gold type. When I pulled it from the skip I was surprised by the weightiness of its contents, a junk sewing machine I assumed.

Once extricated I tried the latches, to my surprise they sprung open satisfyingly. Inside neatly ordered in three compartments was an apparatus of some kind (not a sewing machine). The interior of the case was lined with moist felt covered mould, Intrigued, but with the leather handle crumbling away in my hand and the rain continuing to fall I strapped my find onto the back of my bicycle and headed home for a closer inspection.

At home I emptied the case of its contents; I then wiped it down and washed away the visible mould. I then filled it with some lavender and put it into an airing cupboard to dry. I was still primarily excited about the case and not its contents. When I turned my attention to the apparatus from inside the case I could see that it was some kind of optical or photographic equipment. There were around 14 separate items of varied complexity in the case together with a variety of yellowed documents including a basic user manual.

On the front page of the rudimentary four page manual were printed the words CORECO AUTOMATIC COLOR CAMERA and below them MODEL 300. The largest and evidently most important item in the case was a black boxy object heavily built and about the size of a toaster this was the camera device itself. The second most prominent item was a large rectangular metal plate with an opening at its centre on either side of which where set two large bulbs. My attention was then drawn to a small but heavy metal box with what looked to be a US style plug extending from it. There was also a small rusty key which I found fitted the latches on the case. The other items where miscellaneous metal components in various shapes and unidentifiable to me at the time.

Over the course of an evening with the help of a flatmate we set about trying to understand this unusual camera. Piece by piece we discovered that the metal components where attachments of various kinds which slotted into and clipped onto the main camera body. The components seemed to be in good condition and by playing around we gathered a rough sense of how the disparate parts fitted together as a whole. Each new function felt like a small revelation. Once we had discovered the basic mechanics through play, we turned our attention to the accompanying documents and to google looking for an explanation of the origins and purpose of the object.

A scan of a magazine advertisement found inside the case yielded many of the answers we sought. The advert from an issue of ‘Science’ published on April 9th 1948 reads:

PRESS ONE BUTTON TO TAKE A PERFECT COLOR PICTURE OF ANY SURFACE OR CAVITY

It is now possible, using the “CORECO” Automatic Color Camera, Model 300, to establish a standard of photography where all photographic factors are constant at all times. This instrument offers: correct lens opening, critically sharp focus, correct and constant distance from lens to object and lens to film, exact size of field to be photographed, and a light source that is always constant. All these factors are so integrated and synchronised that one push button controls them all, and the only variable is the progression of the subject matter itself. No knowledge of photography is required for perfect operation of the camera. Here is the ideal instrument for color recording of clinical case histories and for research in many varied fields.

This explained that the camera was designed for taking medical photographs in which every variable could be standardised assuring perfect results of technically difficult subjects without the skills of a professional photographer. Beside the description there is a list of different medical applications for the camera which can be undertaken using a range of specific attachments. The list reads;

SURFACE (ALL AREAS)

PORTRAIT

CERVIX

VULVA

VAGINA

RECTUM SURFACE

ANUSCOPE

SIGMOIDUSCOPE

COPYING BRACKETS

THROAT

LARYNX

GUMS

ANTERIOR TEETH

MOLARS

SOFT PALATE

NOSE

BRIDGEWORK

PLASTER MODE

TONGUE

EYE

EAR

HARD PALATE

Whilst reading the list the word cervix drifted back into my head. Earlier I had read the words CERVIX MED and CERVIX LARGE inscribed onto the surface of some of the attachments but had thought little of it. Now that I saw one of the listed applications was the Vagina I remembered sex education lessons and realised that the attachments in the case were for the purpose of Gynaecology.

It is not every day you come across an antique vagina camera.

With the aid of the manual we resumed our inspection of the Camera system. Through more tinkering we have gained a good idea of how to operate the camera. (I will outline this in a separate post). There are three main obstacles that I see as preventing the instrument from fully functioning. These are as follows;

The Integral lighting system is mains powered, and flows via a transformer from an American style plug. There may be issues with incompatible Voltage/Current this needs investigating, I have no real knowledge of electronics. Regardless of this the wiring is more then 70 years old and may need replacing.

The bulbs are all blown; replacements may be difficult to source.

The shutter winding system seems to be jammed.

I have decided that I will try to restore the Camera to working order. I am finding my investigation into the peculiar device intriguing and I would like to see where it takes me. If I can get it working there is the basis for some interesting photographic experimentation within the outdated automatic mechanism. The mechanism is so specific in purpose - I feel it could be subverted to produce interesting results. For the moment these thoughts are irrelevant I shall not give them too much consideration until I can get the camera operational once more.