Advocate 35mm Camera. The Advocate is a 35mm camera made by the British company Ilford, known for its film materials and as the manufacturer of the remarkable Leica copy, the Witness. This camera features a rangefinder mechanism with distance markings in feet. It was sold from May 1953 to 1956, with approximately 4,500 units produced.
The Advocate is notable for being the world’s first 35mm wide-angle camera equipped with a standard 35mm lens. This particular model is the Series II with a white face; in contrast, the Series I came equipped with a Wray lens and had a black design around the shutter. The body is made of aluminum die-cast with a cool ivory enamel finish.
Even when searching in Europe, Witness and Advocate cameras are rarely seen outside of the UK, suggesting they were likely distributed only within the country. The well-regarded Dalmeier 35mm f3.5 lens features a light blue Dal coating, and it was promoted alongside Ilford’s color film, gaining a reputation for excellent results in both monochrome and color photography.
While the camera is designed with the lens as a priority, its overall design is also outstanding. It’s a great snap shooter with the Dalmeier lens, making it an excellent companion to the Witness as a secondary camera!
The camera shows slight signs of use around the tripod mount, and there are faint marks on the back of the body from the case's buttons. However, there are no other significant signs of wear, and the body is in very good condition. It is rare to find an Advocate in such pristine condition.
The winding mechanism, shutter, and all other functions operate smoothly. The lens also features clean glass, and focusing through the ground glass reveals good focus. The viewfinder offers a bright and clear image.
To set the film counter, you need to press down the winding dial while setting it. For film rewinding after shooting, keep the winding dial pressed down during the rewind process.
The included case shows considerable wear, with signs of repair on the strap section, which has become stiff. We hope you consider it as a bonus.
Please note that passing the strap hardware through the ivory-painted ring will quickly result in paint chipping. It's advisable to use a strap that is gentle on the paint, such as our FB-12 hand strap.
