1947-1955 / Beacon II / Vintage Camera

The Beacon II vintage camera, produced by Whitehouse Products Inc. from around 1947 to 1955, is a compact, Bakelite-bodied snapshot camera known for its colorful variations including black, white, turquoise, and red. It uses 127 roll film to capture sixteen half-frame exposures (3×4 cm), featuring a fixed 46mm f/11 Whitmar two-element lens and a simple rotary shutter with a single speed of approximately 1/50 second. Notable for its built-in optical viewfinder and a safety lock shutter, the Beacon II was enhanced over the original Beacon by adding synchronized flash contacts for an optional flash unit, allowing flash photography that earned it the “Beacon” name reminiscent of a lighthouse. It had a left-handed film advance knob, red windows to monitor frame count, and was originally priced quite affordably for its time. The camera is appreciated today for its vintage charm and portability despite its basic photographic controls and fixed focus design.