Mallory & Irvine: It Is Known

Overview of the myth that Mallory borrowed Howard Somervell's camera.
CORRECTION: The original VPK can use a manual shutter setting which could be used for the 70 second exposure. The only reference to a type of camera Irvine used is that he mailed some plate negatives to his family. The VPK is not a plate camera. Irvine also mentions taking and developing small numbers of photos, loading and taking 3 photos in the day and the developing 2 of them that night (April 2 diary). The VPK is a roll camera, so this would have him wasting an entire roll for 3 pictures. More likely, he did not use a VPK. For the camera buffs out there, I am aware he could unload the film in a changing bag and thus not waste the entire roll. This requires him to constantly be using a changing bag. And changing a VPK in a bag is fairly difficult because the back does not come off. Given the negatives he mailed home were taken from a plate camera, it is already known he used a plate camera. Thus, the only possible way he had a VPK is if he used it as a second camera and there is no record of this anywhere.

As for how Irvine took a 70 second exposure without a tripod, the image, which is in Fearless on Everest turned out fine. It looks like it was taken from the floor -- which explains why Irvine was bowing so long to the Buddha. He likely propped the camera up on a simple support and took the photo while he "prayed."

A film of Mallory using a camera in 1924 shows he is not using an original VPK.

Thanks to all the viewers for pointing these things out.

Video on Kodak VPK:    • Shooting The Vest Pocket Kodak - Rera...  


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