Please recommend 50 Vintage Cameras I should Collect

Obviously I find my opinions endlessly fascinating so here are some more random thoughts you should ignore.

I've often thought a great little collection would be Zeiss cameras from the 1950's, surely a Contax 111a, interchangeable lens, an Ikon Contina 11, fixed lens, an Ikon Contaflex, TLR, an Ikon Nettar, folder, would give you a varied taste of classic gear without breaking the bank. 1950's Zeiss equipment is over-engineered if anything and the finish is likely to be pristine.

I like the idea of owning a camera from my own country, I use an Ensign Selfix 820 which gives beautiful 6x9 photos from the Ross Xpres lens. Surely an American has to have a Graflex Speed Graphic and an Argus C3 brick, German Kodaks not included! I know cameras from Spain and The Netherlands and many from France, I wonder how long is the list of countries who made photographic gear?

One of the semi secret joys of camera collecting is a love of folders. They are so evocative of period and not expensive. Here in my library I have a Kodak 3a and my Thornton-Pickard displayed as art pieces. To my shame they are the only cameras I never use although they are in full working order, not bad for 100 years old. The best way to see if you like using folders is to buy a non rf Agfa Isolette 11, a London dealer has a beauty for £15.

One final point, I promise, for some of us the hunt is as satisfying as the kill. If I get the urge to acquire a camera or lens I enjoy the search, the research, and then if I am being sensible I fail to buy, but at least I have increased my knowledge a bit so it has been worthwhile. All the best, Charles.

So many things be propsoed to consider.. I think once you get started.. some themes may develop that you can riff on for a while. Many of the themse mention govern me/my collection. In fact I was in deniual the first twenty years as it was happenstance.. now it seems a lie to deny I collect cameras with circa 50. Did anyone reply your question "first pentaprism" I believe the concept might pre-date the pplication, but I believe Zeiss or Albada made one for an Exakta. The first "fixed" pentaprim was the East GErman Zeiss Ikon 1978 Contax S. The first Autoexposure gets complicated as there were "trap needle" selenium cameras made before the battery operated versions became dirigeur, . The plethora of models using coupled and non-coupled selenium meters are "assist" but not auot. I'm guessing Yashica or other asian models, The Contax Contaflex Super B is a desirable early auto exposure model. Loom Ma no battery.. but more reliable is the successor model Super BC with mercury battery.

Camera collecting is rarely a thoughout process as many here have tried to explain.. it'S like drug addiction ..well kind of.. you experiment to find alternative feelings answers resolutions to your yourself, or art and these lead you down different paths. You just want to get a WA lens for your Nikon, then you need a fster prime,, but the earlier rangefinder looks so beautiful it would compliment the Nikormat and before you know it... you have 50+ cameras...and still hungry for more!

 

I need to seek professiuonal help :)

An Obvious Typo among others is the first fixed prism; here should read 1948 not 1978. Also , I think JDM, a widely reciognized contributor here, would likely argue the Asian Ashiflex was earlier.. but besides the the many patent infringements after the war, the "fixed prentaprism was not in contention. I'm sure JD and I can agree to disagree !

It's only a memory of something I read in reference to Exakta and the finder as the first "pentaprism", but the "reflex" concept had been known of over a century if not longer, it just comes down to practical (Praktica?) or commercial application.

 

Here's a link that describes the development in detail.. lots of examples without making a lot of conclusions

 

Exakta Prism

One copy of every Leica rangefinder and SLR ever produced. For completeness, you need one in chrome and one in black chrome; also black paint when available. And, of course, the green Safari models. Then get the competing cameras from Contax, Nikon etc.

One copy of every Hasselblad SLR, and to make the competitor's story complete, one of each twin- and single lens reflex Rolleiflex. Expand to other competing brands if needed.

 

A complete collection of Leica classic cameras maybe quite expensive, I dont kno if I can afford it, but I will try adding a few leicas in my list. :)

If you haven't heard of a Zenit that says you are indeed at a very early stage as a camera collector.

 

Charles, thank you for a wonderful advice, Yes I have never attempted doing a camera collection, over the years I have come across many people who wanted to sell retro cameras in good condition and I always said no, thinking what will I do with?

 

But people's attitude change, I use to look at practicality of things that I buy, But now that I am getting older and nearing retirement age, my mindset is changing, I am starting to appreciate the beauty of things retro specially cameras.

 

And yes I totally agree with you, I think it will be a lot of fun, researching, adding cameras to my list, crossing out cameras that i added and replacing it with other camera's, I think it will be fun trying to make up my mind whats should be in my list. :)

I second the idea that this all makes more sense as a collection if there is some kind of 'theme' tying the cameras together.

I have personally and actually, got every East German camera listed in a DDR advertising brochure o_O

I have also collected 1st and 2nd generation auto-focus cameras.

I even got very early digital cameras...

What topics about old cameras are you interested in?

I even got a bunch of cameras that I thought were particularly beautiful.

Go figure.....

 

Hello JDMvW, I find winding the film lever, clicking the shutter and fiddling the buttons and dials a big enjoyment for me. I also am very much in love with the looks of the camera of the 60', 70's and the 80's aside from that I don't really know what I want to do. :)

Robert mentioned Topcon. Topcon Unirex had a leaf shutter on the body, not the lens, high speed flash sync and looks lovely with the 50mm f/2 lens.

Without more detail the collection idea seems to be random or unfocused. As others mentioned, narrow down the characteristics you seek to incorporate in your collection. I began mine with the first rangefinder camera I bought with my own funds = a Ricoh 500 with the triggermatic winder back in the 1950s; my original died on me and the company supplied me with a newer version, but I liked the styling of the old version, so I sought another one, and a few spares in case things went sidewise over the years...still use it. A friend turned me onto Leicas in 1967 and I still have a few after trying a variety of models over the years. I've been down the TLR road as well as the Bronicas, Canons, Nikons, Olympus, early Pentaxes, Yashicas and Contaxes plus a few subminiatures. In the end I only kept cameras I could and would use along with a range of lenses for each which fit my shooting style for that particular body. It's been complicated, but a lot of fun...acquiring and learning about each, trying them out and making decisions about which to keep, which to acquire, and which to sell. Good luck in your quest.

Without more detail the collection idea seems to be random or unfocused. As others mentioned, narrow down the characteristics you seek to incorporate in your collection.

 

I agree, I have been trying to wrack my brains trying to look for a theme for my collection. I am very excited to start looking for vintage cameras. I also planted my feet in in solid ground knowing that I don't have an unlimited budget for my collection. So I have to scratch out themes like " Lieca's through the ages" knowing that It will cost me a fortune to collect them and not much more additional joy than collecting other Japanese cameras. But I am very excited to start looking for my cameras for my collection. :)

 

Would a Theme like " Cameras that made an impact on Society during the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's " make any sense? :)

 

Anyway now that I am starting to look for my first camera to purchase, I saw this very fine condition Nikomat EL being sold for US$60 without lense. I haven't check on the actual condition but the seller said everything works. :)

 

 

 

 

Nikomat EL

Well, that would be a first - Nikon's first auto-exposure SLR. AFAIK, Nikomat indicates that it was a camera for the Japanese market; everywhere else it would have been labeled Nikkormat. The ELW followed and then the Nikon EL2 (when Nikon finally dropped the Nikkormat/Nikomat naming). The lineage then continues with the Nikon FE/FE2 and ultimately ended with the FM3A.

Thank you Mr. Fantastic. As someone who loves books even more than photography may I recommend some reading that has helped me.

Canon Manual Focus SLRs, A Collectors' Guide by Eric Skopec. As you said the A1 was at the top of your list this is an excellent guide to FD equipment but also it contains great chapters on themes and the reasons for collecting, evaluating condition and how to maintain and display your collection.

Collecting and Using Classic Cameras by Ivor Matanle, plus by the same author, Collecting and Using Classic SLRs. These are books I go back to over and over. I must admit I have followed some buying recommendations and I have found the summing up on each camera to reflect the truth. Again there are chapters on building a collection.

Recently I have been enjoying the three volume series On Camera Collecting by Jason Scneider. Another expert with forthright opinions.

To finish with some words by Dr. Skopec, knowledge of cameras and photography is the foundation of camera collecting, knowing about cameras and photography helps you to define your collection and select individual pieces that fit in.

Ivor Matanle was a user/ collector, put a roll of film through that first classic and see how you feel when you open the packet of prints. All the best, Charles.

Thank you Mr. Fantastic. As someone who loves books even more than photography may I recommend some reading that has helped me.

Canon Manual Focus SLRs, A Collectors' Guide by Eric Skopec. As you said the A1 was at the top of your list this is an excellent guide to FD equipment but also it contains great chapters on themes and the reasons for collecting, evaluating condition and how to maintain and display your collection.

Collecting and Using Classic Cameras by Ivor Matanle, plus by the same author, Collecting and Using Classic SLRs. These are books I go back to over and over. I must admit I have followed some buying recommendations and I have found the summing up on each camera to reflect the truth. Again there are chapters on building a collection.

Recently I have been enjoying the three volume series On Camera Collecting by Jason Scneider. Another expert with forthright opinions.

To finish with some words by Dr. Skopec, knowledge of cameras and photography is the foundation of camera collecting, knowing about cameras and photography helps you to define your collection and select individual pieces that fit in.

Ivor Matanle was a user/ collector, put a roll of film through that first classic and see how you feel when you open the packet of prints. All the best, Charles.

 

Hello charles, Thank you very much for the advice. Yes I too love the read books something that my kids seems to have lost along the way. May I ask if the books are available in Amazon? or if they are not, where can i order them online? I prefer hardcopy books rather than softcopies. :)

Well, that would be a first - Nikon's first auto-exposure SLR. AFAIK, Nikomat indicates that it was a camera for the Japanese market; everywhere else it would have been labeled Nikkormat. The ELW followed and then the Nikon EL2 (when Nikon finally dropped the Nikkormat/Nikomat naming). The lineage then continues with the Nikon FE/FE2 and ultimately ended with the FM3A.

 

Thank you Dieter. I will be purchasing the camera on Tuesday. :)

iPhone 1-6s+ :)

 

Hehehehehehe Ludmilla. I think it will be our next generation who will consider collecting this masterpieces. The impact of the smartphones on the lives of the people in the world is actually way way more than the impact of vintage cameras. :)

Contax G2

Rolleiflex GX/f2.8

Rolleiflex SL66SE

Minox 35 GT

Yesterday, I visited the guy selling the Nikon EL body. He was just 17 miles away. A mere 30 minute relax driving. I bought the EL for $60. Not really cheap but the camera was in very good condition and everything was working fine. He also showed me a Rollie 35 and after much bargaining he agreed to sell it for 110$ again not cheap but the camera was in mint condition and everything was working including the meter so I bought it.

 

I am worried that I will get addicted to this. I hope that I don't feel victim to impulsive buying. :)

 

 

 

Here is the Rollei 35T. :)

 

 

I also ordered 2 books from Amazon about Camera Collecting. Well I will have something to read during the new year.

Not a bad way to start down the slippery slope. Now, some lenses for that Nikon! I would go for a 50 mm 1.4, a 28 mm 3.5 and the outstanding 105 mm 2.5. YMMV.

You need to grade off into the unknown....

 

Better than the Rollei according to many:

 

 

Unlike the Rollei, controls where you would expect to find them, and a flash where you would want it. Also a good four element Tessar formula lens. And a Petri is almost always inexpensive!

 

And then there is Ciro:

 

 

Made right here in Delaware, Ohio, about the time I was. The twin lens Ciroflex is also a classic 120 camera, in several versions. Also inexpensive.

 

Good hunting!

I'm not sure I'd bother with the Petri 35...

 

Not Quite a Masterpiece : the Petri Color 35

Edited December 28, 2020 by rick_drawbridge

... I bought the EL for $60. Not really cheap but the camera was in very good condition and everything was working fine. He also showed me a Rollie 35 and after much bargaining he agreed to sell it for 110$ again not cheap but...

 

Not cheap!? Those prices are bargains. Try to look up the going rate for a Yashica T4 plastic point and shoot!

Even when you buy a nice lens for the Nikon, you'll probably only have spent half the price of a T4.

Thank you Dieter. I will be purchasing the camera on Tuesday. :)

 

 

Seems like the beginning

You need to grade off into the unknown....

 

Better than the Rollei according to many:

 

Unlike the Rollei, controls where you would expect to find them, and a flash where you would want it. Also a good four element Tessar formula lens. And a Petri is almost always inexpensive!

 

And then there is Ciro:

 

Made right here in Delaware, Ohio, about the time I was. The twin lens Ciroflex is also a classic 120 camera, in several versions. Also inexpensive.

Good hunting!

 

Thank you Michael for the suggestions. :)

Not cheap!? Those prices are bargains. Try to look up the going rate for a Yashica T4 plastic point and shoot!

Even when you buy a nice lens for the Nikon, you'll probably only have spent half the price of a T4.

Really Niels, Thats very nice to know. :)

When my friend Chris learned that I have started a new hobby collecting cameras in the 60's, 70's and 80's, he gave me his Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 as a Christmas gift. Now I have 3 cameras in my collection. Time for me to CLA my old bronica. hmmmmm I wonder where I kept my Bronica ? its been so long more than 25 years since I used it. But it was a complete set of 3 lens and a polaroid back and other accessories. :)

 

Here is my Yashica. It is also in mint condition. :)

 

Hey guys,

 

I have a question, have you ever purchased a used camera online? I have seen some stuff that I am very interested at a reasonable cost but since It is online, I won't have a chance to inspect it before I pay for the item. I have no problem buying online if it is brand new but for second hand items, I have some reservations. I prefer all cameras in my collection to be in mint or at least in very good condition and of course a working unit, I am worried that If i buy online, I will be disappointed. :)

 

Currently I am wiling to travel 100 miles just to check out a camera I am interested in buying. I think its part of the joys of collecting. :)