Collecting Vintage Cameras

[jefg99]

I'm not sure where this post belongs, but...

I'm in the midst of building a camera collection. Between cameras I own and those picked up from E-Bay bids, I now have about 15-20 of various makes and models. While I'm collecting mostly vintage Kodak cameras (they were always cheaper and plentiful), I have a few oddballs as well. What I'm trying to display is a story of how the cameras evolved over time (1900 or so to the present). Old box cameras, bellows cameras, pocket cameras, old 35mm, disk, instant and finally digital.  Nothing that rare, just ones I think show a progression. I particularly like art deco and colorful models, but they tend to be more expensive.

Wondering if we have collectors in our midst? Sometime down the road, if there's interest, I'll bring some of them to a meeting.

[bellamia]

I think that would be very interesting.  I have a few that I have chosen to hang onto even though they are just sitting on a shelf.

[slr387]

I am not a collector but I buy old cameras and use every one. I respool my own 120 to 620 and love to take them out and shoot away. I think if we brought some of these old FILM cameras to a meeting some of the digital folks might find them interesting.   I ONLY shoot film and love working in my dark room. Dale

[jefg99]

Dale, that's what my son is encouraging me to do. Take shots with a variety of the old cameras, and put the results on Flickr. I read that people do that re-spooling thing, and I'd like to give it a try.

I now have about 40 cameras in the display cabinet. Though I'm primarily collecting Kodak, my latest acquisitions are 50's Japanese miniature Hit camera, a Minox spy camera and a vintage plastic Diana 151 from the 70's.

[slr387]

Jeff - I will be at the next meeting. We will talk then (I hope) and I will bring you some info on respooling. It is easy and gets those old cameras back into action. I will be the guy with glasses, a grey beard, and a camera bag over my shoulder which will have 3 Nikon SLR cameras in it plus lenses. Dale

[tjdelikat]

Jeff, I'd love to see the collection!!

My cousin's have my Uncle's minus the "extra" lenses that they gave me. His collection ranged from Brownies to 35mm's to slr and even 2 dslrs before he passed away. He even had a few 110 film cameras and a Polaroid or two in the mix.  

[jefg99]

TJ, I have a few cameras rolling in yet. Mine now go from a 1900 Kodak Box to the first Kodak digital. I think I have at least five Kodak's for every decade. The ones made in the 1930s, and those made in Germany in the 50s are some beautiful cameras. I'm also working on a side collection of miniature, spy and novelty cameras, and also some other oddball stuff.

Once "done" (as if I'll ever be done), anyone interested is welcome over to see it. Trying to fit everything I have into one cabinet is turning out to be the hardest part, while documenting them with some narrative is simply time consuming. I'm also planning on photographing them individually or in groups and putting them on Flickr.

I'll mention it at the next meeting I attend, and perhaps getting a show of interest for me bringing a selection to a future meeting.

[slr387]

I think a few of us may have something going here. I would love a few meetings where we actually TALK about photography instead of someone telling us how great they are (speaker wise). There is a revival out there of people actually returning to film cameras. They are heard on other photo forums. Digitals are just point and shoot cameras. With film you have to really know photography and there is a great thrill of developing your film and watching your work come to life in the developing tray. "IF YOU NEVER PUT A MINUTE IN, IN A DARKROOM, YOU ARE NOT A PHOTOHRAPHER. " Dale Weiss

[diddee]

Oh Dale, dem sounds like fightin words!

[marinecc]

Hi have an ebay site dedicated to vintage cameras if you would like to see. Best! Charles
http://stores.ebay.com/cameracollectorplus

[marinecc]

Hi.. I collect and sell them on ebay.. check it out :-) Charles
http://stores.ebay.com/cameracollectorplus

[slr387]

Judy - I an happy you found "dem to be fightin' words". I hope to put a spark into the LVPC. I am a new member and so far at each meeting I attended I saw no one TALK photography. People join photography clubs to learn how to use their cameras be they digital or film. They seek help. So far I have seen none of this. What I have seen is people come to a meeting and never come back. So, I am hoping to see some spark and if I start it, good. I took my first photo in 1959 with an old box camera and have been a photographer since then (non professional - I will never be a pro because I do it for the fun and love, but money is nice.) So, I hope to meet you, Jeff, and Charles at the next meeting. I like making new friends. Especially photographer friends, I learn a lot from them. Dale

[Ric]

Although I am a board member I have to agree with Dale... Seems since I have been back, (If you are new then you don't know I was past president), there have been just presenters at the meetings and 1 competition and a follow up critique session with this months meeting being a critique session also.

What we need are more and more members to step forward with their knowledge and talk about how to do different things with their cameras and their Post-Process techniques. If you, Dale, or anyone else would like to have a meeting based on a certain subject then you have to let the board members know so we can get it on the agenda at the next board meeting. I am glad there is a member stepping up and although you said the "Fighting Words" to Judy I am sure we can all get along with great ideas coming from the members since that is who keeps the club together.

I hope this didn't step on anyone's toes(The board) as it was not meant for that but we do need member input along with the board....

Ric

[diddee]

Sorry, my reference to fightin words was regarding the comment that if you haven't done darkroom photography, you aren't a "true" photographer.  I happen not to agree with that.  I have seen a lot of amazing work from photographers who have never seen the inside of a dark room.

I agree that many digital photographers take a ton of pictures and then cull out the few good photos they have as representing their work.  If you take a hundred photos, you are sure to get a good one.  This is the downside of digital.  However, there is no substitute for LEARNING photography.   And I agree that I would like to see more informational presentations at meetings, but if you are trying to learn there are TONS of internet resources etc.  So if you want to learn, you can.

Digital or not, you need to put the time in to learn the craft.  No substitution for it.....

[sgelatt]

Hope to see you at tonight's meeting since we are going to have a digital competition where members can discuss each other's pictures and  have time to meet one another to discuss photography:)