If one were to collect cameras, which are the top ten, in your opinion?
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Chris101
summicronia
My camera collection is accidental:
Instamatic 104 (in 1965)
Mamiya 645 (original stolen, but replaced)
Canon A1 (stolen)
Olympus OM-1n (replacement for the above)
Kodak Signet and Rolleiflex 3.5 (both broken)
Crown Graphic and Grover 5x7 (rarely used)
Agfa Billy 6x9 and Holga 120N (toys)
Nikon F5, FG, N80 and some digicams (workhorses)
Leica M4P (modded pride and joy. The last camera I'll ever need. ... Riiight.)
They're users, with little or no resale value. But I like 'em all.
If I do need to add anything, perhaps a more modern digital Nikon and a Hasselblad SWC, which has been in my "want list" since the 1970s.
Instamatic 104 (in 1965)
Mamiya 645 (original stolen, but replaced)
Canon A1 (stolen)
Olympus OM-1n (replacement for the above)
Kodak Signet and Rolleiflex 3.5 (both broken)
Crown Graphic and Grover 5x7 (rarely used)
Agfa Billy 6x9 and Holga 120N (toys)
Nikon F5, FG, N80 and some digicams (workhorses)
Leica M4P (modded pride and joy. The last camera I'll ever need. ... Riiight.)
They're users, with little or no resale value. But I like 'em all.
If I do need to add anything, perhaps a more modern digital Nikon and a Hasselblad SWC, which has been in my "want list" since the 1970s.
Chris101
summicronia
I like that camera too - ever since I watched an engineer use one to document a machine he was building. The reversing/tilting lens really got to me!
sanmich
Veteran
The only camera I wish I had just for the fun of having it is a clean, working Leica A.
Even then, a good part of the attraction would be to feed it some tri-x from time to time...
Even then, a good part of the attraction would be to feed it some tri-x from time to time...
FrankS
Registered User
A Hasselblad swc and a Rolleiflex 6008 or SL66 is on my dream list.
t.s.k.
Hooked on philm
Ebony
Silvestri
Busch Pressman
Rolleiflex Wide
Brooks Veriwide
Canon F-1
Pentax LX
Olympus Pen W
Voigtlander Prominent II w/Nokton (gotta have the Nokton)
And kind of a weird one to finish off...Nikon F6.
Silvestri
Busch Pressman
Rolleiflex Wide
Brooks Veriwide
Canon F-1
Pentax LX
Olympus Pen W
Voigtlander Prominent II w/Nokton (gotta have the Nokton)
And kind of a weird one to finish off...Nikon F6.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
No particular order:
Rolleiflex TLR
Canon F-1 (original w/ mechanical shutter)
Leica M6 Classic
Leica IIIf
Nikon F
Kodak Signet 35
Pentax 6x7
Olympus Pen F Gothic
Canon P
Graflex Speed/Crown Graphic
I chose the Kodak Signet 35 with some ambivalence. There are many excellent (and very significant) Kodak cameras-- Retina, Bantam Special, Medalist. But the Signet is U.S. made and designed, unlike the Retina.
The Pentax 6x7 has been on my GAS list for some time. I think it's a great camera.
I'm also still looking for a Rolleiflex TLR. But I know it deserves to be on the list.
The Canon F-1 may be somewhat underappreciated, but it seems to have shown up on many of these lists.
Canon P is an obvious choice, as are the Nikon F, and the Leicas.
Olympus Pen is just too much fun to ignore. And I love the Gothic F model.
Speed Graphic is too important to leave off.
Rolleiflex TLR
Canon F-1 (original w/ mechanical shutter)
Leica M6 Classic
Leica IIIf
Nikon F
Kodak Signet 35
Pentax 6x7
Olympus Pen F Gothic
Canon P
Graflex Speed/Crown Graphic
I chose the Kodak Signet 35 with some ambivalence. There are many excellent (and very significant) Kodak cameras-- Retina, Bantam Special, Medalist. But the Signet is U.S. made and designed, unlike the Retina.
The Pentax 6x7 has been on my GAS list for some time. I think it's a great camera.
I'm also still looking for a Rolleiflex TLR. But I know it deserves to be on the list.
The Canon F-1 may be somewhat underappreciated, but it seems to have shown up on many of these lists.
Canon P is an obvious choice, as are the Nikon F, and the Leicas.
Olympus Pen is just too much fun to ignore. And I love the Gothic F model.
Speed Graphic is too important to leave off.
Livesteamer
Well-known
Do we need to add the Argus C3 to the list in consideration of how many family photo's they took and its role in bringing 35mm to the mainstream? Joe.
PS I wonder if the Hasselblads on the moon would still work?
PS I wonder if the Hasselblads on the moon would still work?
MISH
Well-known
in twenty years of careful shopping I have somehow been able to purchase most of my wish list on my limited budget ...... listed by age
Leica standard
Contax IIa
Leica IIIf
Rolleiflex MX-EVS
Leica M3
Asahiflex
Nikon F
Olympus OM-1
Leica M4-P
Zone VI 4x5 woodfield
if the budget was unlimited some of the above could be updated with rarer and more exspensive versions but doubt if my photos would change other than I might be afraid to use the cameras
things I wish for and probably never have....... hasselblad superwide, Rollei Wide, Mamiya 6 or 7, Contax G2, Leica R6, Leica.58, Canham 5x7 Woodfield
and my lens wish list seems to have no end
Leica standard
Contax IIa
Leica IIIf
Rolleiflex MX-EVS
Leica M3
Asahiflex
Nikon F
Olympus OM-1
Leica M4-P
Zone VI 4x5 woodfield
if the budget was unlimited some of the above could be updated with rarer and more exspensive versions but doubt if my photos would change other than I might be afraid to use the cameras
things I wish for and probably never have....... hasselblad superwide, Rollei Wide, Mamiya 6 or 7, Contax G2, Leica R6, Leica.58, Canham 5x7 Woodfield
and my lens wish list seems to have no end
mynikonf2
OEM
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Focus...
Focus...
I've tried to make the focus of my attention the Nikon F & F2 cameras and their related systems. This also includes the non-AI Nikkor glass, the early metal ones with the scalloped focus rings. I've found that within this system you can find several variations to spend all your time & money collecting. Needless to say, I have added a Nikon SP, along with some choice "S" Nikkor glass, to preface my Nikon F interest.
There are other cameras that I have owned & would like to own again that include the:
1) Canon F-1n
2) Canon EF
3) Canon FTbn
4) Leica M2
5) Leica IIIc (wartime production)
6) OM-2md
and of the ones I'd like to own:
1) Pentax SP black
2) Pentax ES II (which I think was only produced in black paint)
3) Minolta XK
4) Hasselblad SWC
5) Bronica Z
6) Bronica D
and the list could on and on. 😀
Focus...
I've tried to make the focus of my attention the Nikon F & F2 cameras and their related systems. This also includes the non-AI Nikkor glass, the early metal ones with the scalloped focus rings. I've found that within this system you can find several variations to spend all your time & money collecting. Needless to say, I have added a Nikon SP, along with some choice "S" Nikkor glass, to preface my Nikon F interest.
There are other cameras that I have owned & would like to own again that include the:
1) Canon F-1n
2) Canon EF
3) Canon FTbn
4) Leica M2
5) Leica IIIc (wartime production)
6) OM-2md
and of the ones I'd like to own:
1) Pentax SP black
2) Pentax ES II (which I think was only produced in black paint)
3) Minolta XK
4) Hasselblad SWC
5) Bronica Z
6) Bronica D
and the list could on and on. 😀
Vics
Veteran
OK, I'll play, but I haven't peeked at others' lists, except for the OP.
Start with my top four, which I love and use.
1. Nikon F
2. Rolleiflex TLR
3. Contax IIIa
4. Leica M
...continuing with what I don't have...
5. Leica Screw Mount
6. Exacta
7. Hasselblad
8. Zeiss Ikon MF cameras (Super Ikonta?)
9. Pentax H1a
10. Ermanox
Start with my top four, which I love and use.
1. Nikon F
2. Rolleiflex TLR
3. Contax IIIa
4. Leica M
...continuing with what I don't have...
5. Leica Screw Mount
6. Exacta
7. Hasselblad
8. Zeiss Ikon MF cameras (Super Ikonta?)
9. Pentax H1a
10. Ermanox
Gary Sandhu
Well-known
I'd collect titanium cameras:
M9 Titan
F3 Titan
Hexar RF
M7 Titan
Minolta tc-1
Hexar AF Titan
Contax ST(?)
Leica CM
2 more? (the M6 Titan doesn't count)
M9 Titan
F3 Titan
Hexar RF
M7 Titan
Minolta tc-1
Hexar AF Titan
Contax ST(?)
Leica CM
2 more? (the M6 Titan doesn't count)
Chris101
summicronia
Nikon 35 Ti, Nikon 28 Ti, and the legendary OM-3Ti. I think the dashboards on those Nikons are outa sight!
capito
silver halide punk
My top ten would be:
1) Exacta 66
2) Rollei 6008
3) Minolta TC-1
4) Plaubel Makina
5) Alpa 12
6) Rollei 35
7) Robot Star
8) Noblex 135
9) Leica M9
10) Contax RTSIII
1) Exacta 66
2) Rollei 6008
3) Minolta TC-1
4) Plaubel Makina
5) Alpa 12
6) Rollei 35
7) Robot Star
8) Noblex 135
9) Leica M9
10) Contax RTSIII
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Here are my...
1. black OM-1n --> cures Olympus and "true classic camera" GAS
2. Contax ST --> cures "modern, no-nonsense reliable film SLR" and Zeiss GAS
3. Nikon F3 --> cures Nikon GAS
4. Leica M4-P --> cures RF GAS (I don't need/want/yearn/dream/gush over any other M-bodies, thank heavens)
5. Rolleiflex 2.8d --> cures TLR GAS
6. Ricoh GR-1s --> cures carry everywhere P&S, with knock-out results GAS
7. Konica Pearl I --> cures 120 folder GAS
8. Polaroid 110 Pathfinder (4x5 converted) --> cures DIY homemade camera GAS
9. BJ 8x10 --> cures Behemothitis (the ailment of wanting a BIG camera and negative size)
10. black Olympus Pen-F --> cures dainty, gem-like camera that works GAS
1. black OM-1n --> cures Olympus and "true classic camera" GAS
2. Contax ST --> cures "modern, no-nonsense reliable film SLR" and Zeiss GAS
3. Nikon F3 --> cures Nikon GAS
4. Leica M4-P --> cures RF GAS (I don't need/want/yearn/dream/gush over any other M-bodies, thank heavens)
5. Rolleiflex 2.8d --> cures TLR GAS
6. Ricoh GR-1s --> cures carry everywhere P&S, with knock-out results GAS
7. Konica Pearl I --> cures 120 folder GAS
8. Polaroid 110 Pathfinder (4x5 converted) --> cures DIY homemade camera GAS
9. BJ 8x10 --> cures Behemothitis (the ailment of wanting a BIG camera and negative size)
10. black Olympus Pen-F --> cures dainty, gem-like camera that works GAS
sanmich
Veteran
You gotta be kidding...
Attachments
séamuis
Established
the ESII was also made in satin chrome, and the chrome is quite rare, as black was the main body color manufactured, but not the only color.
I’m quite surprised that most of the Pentax mentions are of the Spotmatic. Asahi Optical had a few other far more desirable cameras that I would imagine are more collectable. the 1957 ‘AP’ which was arguably more of a ‘photographic milestone’ than the Spotmatic. the Asahiflex, the ‘Electro-Spotmtic, etc.
FrankS
Registered User
oftheherd
Veteran
I'm getting old. I didn't think of the Fujica ST 801 and 901 as collectables. I bought a 901 new and still use it! I have acquired a couple of 801s since because I wanted one and another unexpectedly came with a 901 I bought.
I like to be able to use, but do have some that see very little use just because I don't have the time to photograph much anymore. sigh.
Besides the Fujicas (still can't wrap my mind around that 😀)
various 9x12 folders, RF and non-RF (I could stop as I have more than 10)
various 6x6 folders (Welta, Fuji, Zeiss, Mamiya)
Welta Perfekta (6x6 version)
Welta Weltini (3 versions)
Welta Welti
XA
Rolleiflex
Yashica TL Super
Yashica FS 103
Yashica FX 3 (not 2000 version)
Contax 167mt
4x5 (3 versions)
I guess I should stop now. I'm embarassing myself.
drew.saunders
Well-known
User list, money no object:
Ebony 45SU (I actually have this one, but I'll take a Cooke PS945 to go with it, please!)
Leica M9
Leica M7 0.58x (I have the M6TTL, wouldn't mind AE occasionally)
Ritter 8x10 with the new Cooke XVa triple convertible
Last generation Rolleiflex TLR just to see what the fuss was all about
Horseman 6x12 (it's so tiny!)
Mamiya 7 w/ 43, 50 and 65mm lenses
Leica S2, wide, normal and macro lenses
Some more portable DSLR for convenience. I don't really follow the DSLR world, so maybe a micro-4/3 or Sony NEX, I'd have to see which is the least annoying.
Yep, 9 does it for me. See, I'm not greedy!
Ebony 45SU (I actually have this one, but I'll take a Cooke PS945 to go with it, please!)
Leica M9
Leica M7 0.58x (I have the M6TTL, wouldn't mind AE occasionally)
Ritter 8x10 with the new Cooke XVa triple convertible
Last generation Rolleiflex TLR just to see what the fuss was all about
Horseman 6x12 (it's so tiny!)
Mamiya 7 w/ 43, 50 and 65mm lenses
Leica S2, wide, normal and macro lenses
Some more portable DSLR for convenience. I don't really follow the DSLR world, so maybe a micro-4/3 or Sony NEX, I'd have to see which is the least annoying.
Yep, 9 does it for me. See, I'm not greedy!
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