My Humble Camera Collection

[Heath]

Here is a pic to show anyone who is interested what my collection is like. I know it isn't as big as other collections out there, but I am proud of it as I have only been collecting seriously for about 2 years.

Top left hand section:
Medium format folders, including 2 rangefinders (Moskva 2 and Commando). All useable

Top right hand section:
More medium format folders. Some unuseable due to being DOA or using discontinued film formats.

Middle left hand section:
SLR's. 2 Canon EF mount and 4 M-42 mount. All useable except for the Yashica TL-Electro (dead focusing screen).

Middle right hand section:
Rangefinders and zone focus viewfinders. All useable.

Bottom left hand section:
TLR and Box cameras. All working and usable except the Agfa (middle box camera, DOA) and the Full-Vue Super (second from left, discontinued film format).

Bottom right hand section:
Miscelaneous cameras, from Polaroid SX-70 to a cheap disposable to Graflex century Graphic. All working, but one (Kodak Instamatic 25, discontinued film format and Pentax compact, DOA).

Some need a small ammount of TLC or new seals, but other than that they are in surprisingly good condition. I also have a box of old folder parts that I will use as spares for future projects.

One camera not shown is my Canon EOS 300D, which I used to take the photo.

Heath

 

[RFFan]

Like you I have amassed quite a collection of cameras over the years. I have a number of 'quality' P&S cameras, a rangefinder collection including models from Canon, Olympus, Minolta, Yashica, Konica and also an SLR system with a whole bunch of prime Canon FD lenses.

Altho' this forum is mainly about RF cameras I'm sure most of us are honest enough to admit that it's 'horses for courses' and that we shoot a variety of systems depending on the circumstances. Nowadays I use my SLR system to shoot transparencies 90% of the time and my RF cameras for print film (I paticularly love the beautifal glowing prints I get from the Konica C35/Yashica 35 ME!).

As a collector of RF cameras my mine criteria is that they are affordable (so no Leicas for me!) and must be useable. I don't collect cameras to gather dust on the shelf. For me these classic RF's from the 60's and 70's cry out to be used. Many of them are what I like to call 'engineered' products unlike the 'polycarbonate' models of today. I get a lot of pleasure from just handling them 'in the field'.

I periodically buy RF's off Ebay. Some models go for obscenely low amounts of money but others go for ridiculous amounts. A Konica S3 sold the other day for 155 UK Pounds (I live in the UK). Is it really that good a camera I ask myself.

Good luck with your collection!

 

[dkapp]

Altho' this forum is mainly about RF cameras I'm sure most of us are honest enough to admit that it's 'horses for courses' and that we shoot a variety of systems depending on the circumstances.

I agree with you. I'm new to rangefinders, but I still shoot Nikon manual focus SLR's (F3 HP, FE2, FG) and nikon DSLR (D2H) on a regular basis. The camera I shoot on a given day depends on the location and my mood, but mostly my mood.

Dave

 

[Heath]

I agree with both of you. If I feel like shooting with my TLR, I take it out. If I feel like shooting with one of my SLR's, I do just that, and if I feel like shooting with a RFer, then I shoot with a RFer. My camera of choice at the moment is the Moskva. Next week it may be the Selfix 420. The week after it may be the EOS 1000FN, the Graflex or the Zorki. What I love is the fact I have a choice. At one time, all I had was a compact P&S that I found was very limited in what control I had, now I have all the creative control I need/want/could use. Does this make me a better photographer???? Not really, but it sure is FUN.

Heath

 

[wierdcollector]

Nice collection Heath. Sure looks tidier than mine. I collect as much as use these days, but like most things I'm not really serious about it. Lately I've been shooting more SLR than RF, this week I'll be (time permitting) using my new Kowaflex, Contaflex lV, Minolta XG-M, Voigtlander Vito Automatic 1, and Minolta Minoltina AL-s. Still have a roll of Fuji NPH 400 in an Ikoflex to try out too, just so little time.

 

[dmr]

That's quite a collection. All different types too!

I'm not a collector, but I did take an impromptu "family portrait" last weekend when a friend was over with a digital. It's not much, but quite larger than when I joined this place last February (I think).

 

[Heath]

Thanks for looking Curt and DMR.

Curt, I would love to see you collection one day, but I don't see that happening any time soon (unless I get a major mindfall). I am sure it puts my collection to shame.

DMR, I love you 'family portrait'. I see you have my Yashica's big brother, the 'D'. I have the chance to buy a Spotmatic with a 50mm 1.4 lens to go with my other M-42 mount SLR's, plus a Zenit and another Praktica. I can get them all for a very good price from a local pro photographer.

Heath

 

[wierdcollector]

The Spotmatic with 50 F1.4 sounds great. Which Zenit and Praktica were you considering? My favourite Zenits are the TTL, EM and 11, favourite Prakticas are the B100, MTL3, MTL5 and LTL3. Hope you get the cameras (as long as they're a reasonable deal). Still working on a few shots of my collection, but everything is chaos around here lately as I have inlaws staying, other relatives visiting and wife in the hospital. Should calm down in a week or two, then I'll post a few shots.

 

[Heath]

Curt, firstly I wish your wife a speedy recovery from whatever ails her.

I cannot remember of hand which Praktica and Zenit they are, but I do remember that neither have TTL metering, so they are early ones, but in perfect condition. The Spotmatic has had a CLA recently and is also in perfect condition. I have already told the guy I want to buy them and he said he will do a good price for me if I get them all, and I don't have to get them all at once, which suits me perfectly.

My current Praktica's are the LB and the MTL-5, both of which I still have to finish the films in. The LB is in reasonably good condition, but the MTL-5 is almost perfect. I love the feel of the Praktica's. You know you are holding quality equipment when you hold them.

Heath

 

[dmr]

I see you have my Yashica's big brother, the 'D'. I have the chance to buy a Spotmatic with a 50mm 1.4 lens to go with my other M-42 mount SLR's, plus a Zenit and another Praktica. I can get them all for a very good price from a local pro photographer.

The Spotmatic is really a great camera. I got that one (the black "Press" model) back in the 70's. I traded up to the K1000 in the 80's for 2 reasons, one, the lenses were hard to change, and 2, the metering while stopped down wasn't my favorite feature. Right after I got the K1000 I got the zoom, so changing lenses was not that big a deal anymore -- go figure. 🙂 🙂

 

[Pherdinand]

That's quite a collection, Heath.
Here's a 'family portrait' of some of my stuff. The hemicircle is formed by: two yashica GSN's (left), still around - planning to sell/trade one - ; Rolleiflex automat 2 (pre-war), a great user; the traveling Canonet QL17 GIII; a minolta hi-matic 9 (needed new seals and cleaning the shutter - works like new now); an Ikonta 523/2 folder w tessar in synchro-compur - it's gone now, 'replaced' by a super ikonta 6x6 model; and finally, the busted brother of the traveling canonet, works okay and windows replaced, but the signs of the crash still visible on the top casting.
Missing from the photo: a canonet 28, a kiev 4 system (body, 50,85 and Zeiss Sonnar 50/1.5) I got later, and a minolta AF slr system (a great system incl 17 and 24mm lenses plus a magnificent 135/2.8 medium tele). That's ten cameras. ALL working and used occasionally except the canonet 28.

Lately I have been given two old low-end agfa's - a friend found them in his house... An Isola (6x6) and a Rapid. Dunno what to do with them. Anyone interested? They are like new.

Oh yes, it's still not enuff. I almost bought a MF SLR - Zenza Bronica SQ-A with 80/2.8 and 50/3.5 PS lenses. I was too late 🙁
Currently eyeing with a yashica CC (biddin on it) and some Mamiya TLR's.

 

[Heath]

Nice little collection Pherdinand. I see yours is still growing, just like mine.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Curt,
My best wishes for your wife, I hope all is well.

I decided to organize gear today and took a shot while most everything was out (Henry Scherer has some cameras and lenses and a couple of Alpas are out for CLA, waiting for a Nikkormat FT3 🙂). I doubt everything will ever be in one place at one time...

 

[egpj]

Never taken this kind of family picture before.

 

[wierdcollector]

Thanks Honu-Hugger for your concern. Wife is still in hospital but fit to be tied with sitting indoors for two weeks (so far). Absolutely awesome collection shot. No fair including the microscope though. (unless perhaps it's a Zeiss product) Don't think I've ever seen such a herd of Alpas before, wow. My never ending quest to snap a few collection shots has been postponed another week since I've had so many out of town visitors to see my wife. Hopefully I'll get a start this weekend. Or at least that's my plan.

 

[Kin Lau]

Here's the family.... just the Graphics Century 35 and the Argus C3 brick are missing. They're in the car. I've put film thru most of them.

The non-rf's are elsewhere 🙂 and I also have a couple of Polaroid RF's and might try a few paper negs with them some day.

 

[wlewisiii]

Gott im himmel... Doug, that shot is utterly amazing and terrifying 😀 I'm keeping to my resolve that I only keep cameras that I use on a two week rotation, but still, I see that shot and I know where I would be headed (and worse!) if I weren't broke.

Thank you, I think... 😉

William

 

[Pherdinand]

Doug, nice collection indeed - and, the average quality(and value) of those members in your shot are way too high.

Be sure to have an insurance on them.

 

[Heath]

Nice shots guys. I can only dream of obtaining some of those beasts. Very impressive.

I have expanded my collection by 1. I am now the proud owner of a Zenit-B with 50 2.8 lens. I am not sure of the designation of this lens, as it is in Russian and I cannot undersand it. If anyone has any info I would be very greatful.

I will be using my preset lenses with the Zenit. Such as my Soligor 105mm 2.8, 500mm 8 and my 300mm 5.5 as the camera does not have the automatically aperated aperture blades.


Heath

 

[wierdcollector]

Hi Heath,
I'm sure you'll get a kick out of the Zenit B, nice old camera with only two things to watch for: obviously as it has no stop down mechanism you need to either use preset lenses or set your lens to the manual aperture setting and always be sure to wind the cocking lever to cock your shutter before changing your shutter speeds. Not sure of your lens. Easiest way I've found is if the name ends in "TEP" it is Jupiter, if it ends in "TAP" it is Industar, Helios is self explanatory.