The classic 00 Camper, a 1 pint stove with outstanding performance as seen here in this photo: The classic 00, if well maintained, is an outstanding performer. In the photo below of my 00 all are original parts except for the pan supports which are aluminium and were made for me by Bryan miller.This photo also illustrates the power of this classic 1 pint stove. The classic Optimus 00 Camper stove. This was the first paraffin pressure stove that I bought, I remember clearly where I bought it - I don’t remember when. It was either in the 1970’s or at the very latest the early 1980’s. I suspect that it was the early70’s as I am pretty sure that I had this stove before my pal gave me his 96L in 1972. In this photo I have attached the original Optimus pan supports. Bryan Miller who has extensive knowledge of many types of stoves said “The burner of your 00 was made between 1962 and 1969 inclusive. Your flame ring was made no sooner than 1969. Your tank was made no sooner than 1962. I am not certain when the tank lid was made but it might have been in the mid 1970s.” Now some close up photos of the various parts: The pump handle: Tank lid: The Optimus lettering on the tank: The Optimus “globe”: Made in Sweden: Burner head and flame ring: Leg extended: Leg folded: Reserve cap: The burner: Stove in original red tin: The battered red tin: And as we all like flames – some more flame photos from my Classic 00: And another: Perhaps another: You all like flames so perhaps another: The final flame photo: There we have it, the classic 00! Cheers, Rob
Morning, Snowgoose, Outstanding photo report, my Friend!! Well done, in all regards, and very much appreciated!! The 00 was our first brass stove, as well, and though it took us a while to learn to use it properly, it's earned our trust on countless trips since then! Thanks for sharing the story of your precious 00, Rob! Your photos are simply stunning, Mate!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Very nice! I'm a big fan of the 1 pint collapsables. I think they are the best all-rounders of the 3-leggers; capable & compact.
I forgot to mention that the replacement aluminium “legs” (pot supports) that Bryan Miller made for me weigh just 46 grams – a large weight saving as the original “legs” weigh 125 grams. Cheers, Rob
A superb set of pics snowgoose of a great practicle stove and very powerfull as we can see with the awsome flame pics burningwith a perfect atmospheric blue and the flame spreader glowing the famous cherry red
Yes indeed, excellent photos Rob and you make your points about the Optimus very well. Care to share the details of your photo technique? I was asked the same in this post ... Photographing stoves ... so it would be helpful to compare notes. Thanks, John
O.K. John, I will not get grandmother to such eggs so what follows is really for those who currently are not achieving good photos of their stoves or flame pattern from their stoves: Camera – not important – however for those that might be interested I currently use a Ricoh Digital GR with optical viewfinder and fixed wide angle lens – no zoom which I dislike. I also dislike those screens on the back of digital cameras. Essentially I am just making a record of the stove and or flame and my way may not be your way – simply this how I do it: I only use natural light for stove photos. It is the character, the form, the sense of quality of a bygone age that exemplifies classic stoves – so I will only use natural light which, in my opinion, captures this essence that I want to capture. If it is a bright day – rare in Scotland this summer - I just draw the curtains to diffuse the light. Backdrop…. Depends what I want….If I just want the stove then I use a cotton kitchen apron! If I want to show the stove with a background then I choose something like one of my bookcases and try to graduate the depth of field so that the stove is still the centre piece…. If I want to achieve a feeling of age then I might opt for an old table. The most important aspects are as follows: 1. Use a tripod and use a ten second delayed action timer – this will ensure sharp photos…camera shake ruins many photos. 2. Get in close! Too many photos that appear daily in CCS are taken from to great a distance and you can’t see detail. 3. Take photos of the stove parts… these can be of interest particularly if there is good engraving or design features that enhance the aesthetic s of the stove. 4. If your camera has option where you can choose aperture and shutter speed then don’t use auto exposure. Sometimes you want a large aperture to reduce the depth of field…other times you want a small aperture to ensure the greatest depth of field. Flame photos I always shoot outdoors and at night. If I want to show blue flames, white heat and a cherry red flame spreader to maximum effect then I only use the light from the stove. If I want to show the cherry red flame spreader and the blue flame and show the type of stove in use then in addition I use a LED light shone onto the windshield (the windshield I use is a eight panelled model made by the German company Markhill see: http://www.hitchnhike.co.uk/acatalog/info_MK92053_700.html A flame is a dynamic force and I aim to capture this by trying to suggest movement. I therefore choose my shutter speed with care – I don’t want too much movement – so I experiment and try to use a shutter speed somewhere between ½ and 1/15th of a second. That is it really – but get in close and don’t be afraid to crop severely – extraneous detail only detracts.
That's an excellent summary of your photo technique Rob, and I appreciate your taking the time to compile it. I couldn't agree more with the points you've made - use of natural lighting, think about the background, close focus, close cropping and using the flame to generate its own light for the flame shots. That tip about the use of an LED supplementary light to illuminate something of the stove for a flame shot when you want the flame in context is pure genius. I've used a torch before now but it's too intense, too directional and I've had to diffuse it. The only time I've used a flash is when I've wanted to 'freeze' the bubbles of a rolling boil, but that's all. I daresay in intense sunlight outdoors its handy to fill in the shadows a bit, but again, an infrequent requirement. About the stove, and at risk of sounding a bit arty-farty and impertinent with it, I prefer the look of the sculpted legs of the Primuses and find they stay in position better and don't flop about like the flat strip legs of the Optimus or others with that type do. I guess a gentle bash of the head and tail of the rivets they pivot on would have the same effect though. Thanks again, Rob. John
Ah...still waiting to add a "stove in a box" to my collection. The good ones are fairly pricey. Nice photo essay, thanks, Snowgoose.
Hi Rob I have those words to marvelous,wonderful,extraordinary,miraculous,astounding,superb,magnificent,glorious,divine,exceptional,remarkable a.驚奇的, 奇蹟般的 wondrous,extraordinary,remarkable,phenomenal,surprising,unexampled,fabulous,fantastic,amazing,astounding,astonishing,miraculous,breathtaking,awesome,stunning,supernatural a.華麗的, 妙的 superb,splendid,glorious,divine,terrific,sensational,exceptional,wonderful,smashing,superfine,superexcellent,bonzer,excellent,first-class,superior,great,fabulous,fine ----------- I spend all my money on stoves and lanterns…I hope I have a chance to collect some money to buy a good camera
I have thought for a long time that the Primus 210/Optimus 00 is one of the best all-round stoves of all time. Burn great, bomb-proof, not too heavy - I love them.
Hi Rob, I think we have near-contemporary Optimus No.00 stoves. All the features look very similar and I note that your stove also uses a "Primus" tin: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/16252 Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hi George, Yes, I agree.The burner head is the same: Optimus-Primus, flame spreader - Sweden/Sweden and the close up photos show the same machining. As I said in my post it was the very first Classic Stove that I bought many years ago - just can't remember when I bought it although I know the shop I bought it from. A great and very reliable stove. It is very good for melting snow though I now use my Primus Omnifuel for that. Cheers, Rob
