Classic Cameras Every Collector Should Own . Let’s make a List!

Ambro51

Collector/Photographer
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For Fun, We can create a list of “shelf buddies”. Some cameras, so important historic and useable deserve to be in every collection. Probably safe to nominate the Nikon F as a “Gotta Have”. So, the list Begins. 1. NIKON F.
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Hmmm, this is my list. Some obtainable, some relatively common, some less so... Some I own, some I never will.

- Nikon F ‘Apollo’, plain prism, black paint
- Nikon F2 Titan
- Olympus M-1
- Leica M2 KS15-R
- Asahi Pentax K
- Hasselblad SWC-M
- Rolleiflex 2.8b
- Nikon SP 2005
 
Isn’t the fun of collecting getting what you want, not what other people say you should get? Collectors always seem to have specific areas of interest. Even that guy with 3000 cameras was most interested in Kodak Brownies, along with cameras he picked up on vacation.
 
Zenit E SLR with a 58mm Helios lens or the 50mm Industar 50 lens if you were super poor. Millions were sold.

In the 1970s many teenagers outside the USA could only afford these 35mm SLR cameras and hoped to be able to afford a Praktica L series camera in the future.
 
Some of my favorite Rangefinders have been mentioned. Can I include a few other classic SLRs?

Pentax LX
Minolta XD-11
Olympus OM-4T
 
Hmmm, this is my list. Some obtainable, some relatively common, some less so... Some I own, some I never will.

- Nikon F ‘Apollo’, plain prism, black paint
- Nikon F2 Titan
- Olympus M-1
- Leica M2 KS15-R
- Asahi Pentax K
- Hasselblad SWC-M
- Rolleiflex 2.8b
- Nikon SP 2005


I’ll just borrow your list, add a Contarex Special, Contax IIa, Linhof Master Technika, and a Contax 645.
That should do it. None destined for shelf duty.
 
Just going off my own collection, and/or regret selling, and/or have yet to purchase, but they are all dream cams to me

Nikon F3 HP
Nikon S3/SP

Leica M2/M3/M4

Mamiya 7ii

Hasselblad 500cm
Hasselblad SWC
Hasselblad XPan

Rolleiflex 2.8f/3.5f
Rollei 35s

Deardorff 8x10
Deardorff 5x7
 
Oh no, this thread is going to raise the prices for all these cameras! :)


Just kidding.


I agree with Nikon F, Olympus XA. What about TLRs? Probably a Rolleiflex or Rolleicord. Rollei 35s. Hasselblad, Mamiya 645, Retina Reflex, Zorki, all unique and interesting.
 
No Rectaflex in the lists? you guys are crazy.. it's the world's first SLR equipped with a pentaprism and with a Som Berthiot lens, it's all you need in your collection.
 
Essential 1: an incredibly expensive one with a superb lens that is all electronic, that has failed and cannot be repaired. Display prominently to remind you not to be so stupid next time. Display with print-outs of posts telling you it was worth it and that it was a good investment...

Essential 2: an incredibly cheap one with a so-so lens that you use all the time and have done some of your best work with. Display with 12 x 8 prints.

Essential 3: an incredibly useful one and the expensive one that it copied and improved on. Display with a list of prices paid on ebay for them both and bills for the repair of the original.

Essential 4: an incredibly old digital camera with only 5 megapixels available and an f/3.5 lens. Display with a selection of 12 x 8 and 16 by 24 prints.

I'm sure suggestions for all these will soon be forthcoming.


Regards, David
 
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