danny_zahner Posted August 3, 2005 Share Posted August 3, 2005 Here is an interesting read for those interested in cameras and supplies from the late 1930's. Enjoy!!!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_zahner Posted August 3, 2005 Author Share Posted August 3, 2005 Page 2<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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danny_zahner Posted August 3, 2005 Author Share Posted August 3, 2005 Page 7<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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danny_zahner Posted August 3, 2005 Author Share Posted August 3, 2005 Page 20<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_zahner Posted August 3, 2005 Author Share Posted August 3, 2005 Page 24<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdcarma Posted August 3, 2005 Share Posted August 3, 2005 TOO COOL Danny, I own examples of the camera's on page 7. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xenotar28 Posted August 3, 2005 Share Posted August 3, 2005 You are bringing new blood to his forum. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrydressler Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 New blood to a Classic Camera forem How intreaging. LOL Some of the best and lost classics were sold by Sears and Wards J.C. Penny only sold name brands. Tower Cameras From the Folders to Plastic were top rate. and they even had an interchanageable lens line ... Many Sears Screw mount lenses were made by a company that was famous for their screw mount. and not the German company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_gage Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Great ads. That was fun to look through. Unfortunately I don't own any of the cameras, but I do own one of the external rangefinders they showed on page 8 ("B" to be exact). First time I've ever seen it other then the one I own (got it in a box of stuff from a local auction). Thanks, Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_robison3 Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Neat stuff Danny, as an interesting little tidbit, it was Aaron Montgomery Ward who fought hard to have Chicago's downtown Lake Michigan shoreline wind up as the beautiful park it is and not just railroad yards and industrial frontage. Spent many a happy afternoon there when I lived in Chicago in the 70's. Prices look cheap now but back then were likely to be a full weeks wages or more for many of the cameras listed. Now.....if I only had a time machine.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shriver Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Consider that $126 Retina II price when a NEW car could be had in 1938 for about $500 to $600. Makes it clear that a $3300 Leica M7 is not so insane in comparison to historical prices, as you can just barely buy a new car for $13,200. It's just that all the other cameras got so much cheaper due to technical innovation... Also interesting to see the Bantam Special cheaper than the Retina. Not anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHildreth Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Am I to understand that film speed units were "Westons" before the days of ASA? I saw an external rangefinder at an antique shop about a year ago. Have to admit I did not connect it with photography. I was thinking survey work or maybe sighting in a mortar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorn ake Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I love the copy: "Many fans paid $115!" "Why pay $29?" Regret and questions we all experience on this forum I am sure. I'll take the Reflex Korelle and the Primarflex. Those are nifty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 That's the stuff of dreams, Danny. O for a time machine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mskovacs Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 John, if you think the Retina was expensive, I have seen other catalogues showing the Zeiss Ikon Contax rangefinders selling for $200-300 (depending on 50mm lens) in 1938! That was a fun read, too bad no cameras in there that I own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahams Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Tom - If I remember correctly, Weston film speeds pre-dated the ASA and DIN standards, which were both superceded by the ISO standard. Over the same period, the FSU used the GOST standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battra92 Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 According to the Inflation Calculator, the Retina II would be $1621.81! Although that's about the price for an 8MP DSLR with lens, so it's not too different. Some of the lesser cameras equate to today's prices of the P&S digitals and such. When one looks at prices, I can really see why Argus held the 35mm market. One interesting thing is that film costs $0.27 for 127 and $0.32 for 120/620. That's about $3.48 and $4.12 respectively. My how film has actually come down a smidge. ;) I also wonder how many Kodachrome users were out there at that time. I mean, 18 exposures was $2.29 including processing which equates to about $29.48! I can see why it never caught on with the average user for some time. By the way, if anyone wants to know where I got these numbers, check out this nifty tool. http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ Great book and thanks for sharing! Perhaps once I get my scanner, I should scan this old trade stamp catalog my dad has, though that's about 25 years after this catalog. ~_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_stark Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Hey, I can swing $69.95!! Send me my brand new Weltini II, please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
william_barnett_lewis Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 It's interesting to read. Compare it to the catalog page at http://www.cameraquest.com/ prices38.htm though. I'd rather the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta B with f2.8 Tessar and Compur- Rapid for $119. To get that good a lens and shutter on the Welta gets you up nearly $100 as well... Fun stuff. Thanks for sharing it. William Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCULUS New York Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Just great stuff. I was surprised to see Albany listed on the cover as a Catalog Center. I pass by that enormous building everyday--long since a converted multi-office/warehouse complex. That's probably the last time Albany was ever listed as a regional center for anything. I know that Wards offered Leicas and Rolleis in the early 50s. Cheers, Ray Hull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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