19th September 2017Cameras from a time when photos were taken with care and craftsmanship
• Click the icons at the top right of the page for film cameras grouped by type.
• There's a full list of individual cameras in my collection in the right hand column.
Click to see the list if your screen size is less than 700px wide (because it will have moved from the right to the bottom of the page).
Each camera portrait
comprises: a description and opinion of the model, technical specifications, illustrative photographs, original advertisements*, magazine reviews* and UK price details*, links to the camera's user manual*, and any other good Internet sites (* where possible).
What's the point of this website?
My area of interest is mainly 35mm film cameras from the mid 50s through to the early 80s (pre-auto-focus and copious plastic). Unfortunately good quality information is sometimes more scarce than surviving cameras, so the aim of this website is to preserve and share knowledge. I prefer to gather information through hands-on examination, along with study of instruction manuals and other credible material. I strive not to simply reproduce what other collectors have written, and correct some of the nonsense that has been written about various camera models.
I update this site quite regularly, usually when I've obtained a new bit of equipment, or found a fresh snippet of information.
Why I collect film cameras
I got interested in photography in my early teens. My equipment was basic, because my only income was a £1-a-week newspaper delivery round. I lusted after the shiny things covered in dials and buttons. Many years later, some of those cameras have become very affordable, and I have a little spare cash these days. I started collecting in May 2013. I enjoy the whole start to finish process: predating eBay, researching the details of different models, cleaning and repairing them (to the best of my ability), maintaining this website, and (albeit infrequently) shooting film.
MY FILM CAMERA COLLECTION IS A HOBBY: I NEVER SPEND BIG MONEY ON IT.
Buying cameras
Almost all of my cameras and lenses have been purchased via eBay. I have detailed their costs, net of postage, as the current UK cost of a small package weighing less than 2kg is £2.90. If postage costs are unreasonable, I assume the seller to be a rascal, and don't bid on their item.
Many purchases are a complete gamble due to sellers who have no idea how to use a film camera (and so cannot identify features that don't work as intended), plus there are the unscrupulous, who are economic with the truth to gain a quick profit (see the ones that got away). If in doubt about the quality of the merchandise or the integrity of the seller, I work on the basis there will always be another one along in a few hours, days, weeks, months (sometimes years).
Repairs & parts (The following is a summary. The full text can be found here.)
Any newly acquired camera will generally require cleaning, new light seals (if it's Japanese), and possibly other minor DIY repairs or replacement of missing exterior parts.
I'm using ROR (Residual Oil Remover) Pro Lens Cleaning Fluid to clean lenses and glass; obtained from Jack the Hat Photographic.
Replacing light seals isn't difficult, but it is fiddly. Guidance can be found at Jon Goodman's Seal Replacement Instructions. Not every make and model is covered, but the procedure is pretty much the same for most cameras.
It pays to use the correct materials: vibration deadening open-cell foam sponge for mirror dampers, more dense light blocking closed-cell neoprene-type rubber
for door chanels, and felt for door hinges. The pre-cut kits available from various sources generally consist of wholly open-cell foam parts, and are best avoided. UK eBay seller pilgrim18 stocks good uncut materials. They are inexpensive and each sheet is sufficient for many cameras.
Aki-Asahi Custom Camera Coverings (Japan) is great for pre-cut replacement leathers, or sheet material if your model isn't listed. Customer service is very good, with fast and inexpensive delivery ($4 = £3.24 for registered priority airmail [Nov 2016]). A more limited range of materials and pre-cut covers can be obtained from UK eBay seller millyscameras.
For camera batteries, the Small Battery Company is a really useful resource. They many not always be the cheapest supplier (especially if you're not fussy about using some unknown brand), but their website is excellent for identifying equivalent modern battery IDs, and alternative options.
Although banned in the EU since 1991, and the USA since 1992, it is currently possible to buy new Russian Military, factory fresh, PX625 1.35v mercury batteries from Moscow, directly via www.px625.ru, or through eBay seller ostashin. They are not cheap, and seller listings are subject to removal by eBay from time to time.
Additional pages (some will open in a new window)
- About this site (web-mastery type stuff)
- AGFA Rapid film cassettes
- CONTAX 139Q - the ones that got away
- - Contax 139Q & Yashica FX-D - compared [1]
- FUJICA Fujicarex II - the ones that got away
- - Fujica ST901 & Pentax ES II - compared [1]
- LEICA d-lux (typ 109) compact digital camera
- Links
- MIRANDA - overview of 35mm SLR camera models
- - Miranda (Soligor) TM - Camera User magazine test
- - Miranda T Prism meter instructions
- NIKON Nikkormat EL - Practical Photography magazine test
- PENTAX ES II & Fujica ST901 - compared [2]
- - Pentax K Series - Camera User magazine test
- - Pentax ME Super & Yashica FX-D - compared [1]
- The History of the 35mm Folding camera
- - The History of the 35mm Rangefinder camera
- - The History of the 35mm SLR camera
- - The History of the 35mm TLR camera
- - The History of the 35mm Viewfinder camera
- TOPCON - overview of leaf shutter 35mm SLR camera models
- VOIGTLANDER accessories
- YASHICA FX-D - Amateur Photographer magazine test
- - Yashica FX-D & Contax 139Q - compared [2]
- - Yashica FX-D & Pentax ME Super - compared [2]
