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

[Pentudlian]

Voigtlander Vito B / IIa.
Pentax MX.

 

[narsuitus]

I am not a camera collector nor do I plan on becoming one. However, if I did, I would collect the Kodak No. 3A Folding Pocket Camera that was introduced in 1903 and produced until 1914. At the time, it cost about $20. It used Kodak 122 large format roll film to produce up to ten 3¼ by 5½ inch postcard-sized images. Kodak produced the 122 roll film from 1903 to 1971.

 

[JeffS7444]

I guess one area of interest for me are what I think of as the prewar German "hot rods"! These are cameras in which the designers sought to pack the biggest negatives and the most optics into the smallest package possible.

My little Zeiss Ikonta 6x4.5 folder for instance, seems barely large enough to contain the film, and it sports a relatively sophisticated Tessar lens.

Nagel Pupille with the top of the line Schneider Xenon lens seems like another miniature marvel.

And I've always liked how Barnack Leicas squeeze just a little more image area out of 35mm film by extending image area clear out to the sprocket holes. Perhaps I'll pick up a Leica III at some point: It seems like a good blend of features and compactness, and unlike earlier cameras, it has strap lugs.

Other cameras which intrigue for the same reason include:
Olympus XA (they one-upped Minox and Rollei by incorporating an optical rangefinder!)
Ermanox
Kodak A127 Special "Soldier's Camera"

 

[oftheherd]

Bee Bee folding cameras are usually hard to find in good nic. They were one of I think only 4 brands in 9x12 and 6x9 cameras that allowed interchangable lenses, usually a 35mm and 80mm equivalent as I recall. I have one of each but no other lenses, just two aux lenses.

In the 40s and later, many 6x6 cameras were made with an insert (usually hard to find but should be easy to manufacture) which allowed for 6x6 or 645, and a red window for each. I have a Welti, Fuji, and a couple of others.

Some 6x6 were rangefinders and the Mamiya 6 focused by moving the film plane rather than the lens.

Some were fairly good performers.

9x12 cameras were usually good performers also and certainly lighter than 4x5.

I have an assortment of the above cameras but by no means all the brands of those made.

 

[oftheherd]

I forgot to mention Welta Perfekta and Superfekta cameras. Both were TLRs. The Superfekta was both 6x6 and 6x9. I have the Perfekta, but never the Superfekta.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Military M2 [KS15-4]. First with [what eventually became] M4-type film loading. < 1,000 units produced in two groups in 1966.

 

[David Hughes]

...And I've always liked how Barnack Leicas squeeze just a little more image area out of 35mm film by extending image area clear out to the sprocket holes. Perhaps I'll pick up a Leica III at some point: It seems like a good blend of features and compactness, and unlike earlier cameras, it has strap lugs...
Ermanox
Kodak A127 Special "Soldier's Camera"

I think you'll find that is due to small modern cassettes being used where a large FILCA fitted and the film slipping out of the film guides. Barnacks do 24 x 36 just the same as the rest and really set that as the standard.

Regards, David

 

[JeffS7444]

I think you'll find that is due to small modern cassettes being used where a large FILCA fitted and the film slipping out of the film guides. Barnacks do 24 x 36 just the same as the rest and really set that as the standard.

Well that's disappointing, thought I was getting a couple of free millimeters.

 

[markjwyatt]

I think this is one instance where life is much more interesting when no one really agrees! (In case it wasn't clear, my own list was more than a bit tongue in cheek, though I do think the Hansa Canon is pretty cool, and I've even gotten to handle one). But as far as what a person "should" collect, I haven't got a clue. Maybe the best sort of collectable is something which has has far more emotional appeal than monetary value.

Canon Hansa is enough to make me reconsider my opinion on Canon as a collector's camera. They look very cool.