Poor man's Leica

[john341]

Years ago I was infatuated with the Futura camera but could not afford one. At 40 pounds each it was over the top for me. Does anyone have any comments on this camera and whether second hand one are still about?

 

[bmattock]

Years ago I was infatuated with the Futura camera but could not afford one. At 40 pounds each it was over the top for me. Does anyone have any comments on this camera and whether second hand one are still about?

Looks cool, and I see three on eBay at the moment. Price is still a bit high for me, but probably a bargain given the rarity. Reminds me of the Voigtlander Prominent, a bit. Sorry to say, I've never seen one in real life.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Years ago I was infatuated with the Futura camera but could not afford one. At 40 pounds each it was over the top for me. Does anyone have any comments on this camera and whether second hand one are still about?

I handled one many years ago, but was not impressed enough to buy. In his exellent book 'Collecting and using classic cameras' Ivor Matanle says - ' the Futura and similar camera known as the Lordomat are possibly the least desireable cameras of the fifties. Their engineering standard and quality of materials were very low, and lens mounts and focusing mechanisms are virtually always worn out'.
This was written in 1986, so the chances of finding a 'good' one now, are even slimmer!
Regards, Dave.

 

[harry01562]

I've always felt the same way about the Miranda camera. That was a 4x5 press type camera produced in the late 40's, early 50's. The few I've seen were heavily used and in poor shape overall, most likely used by pro's.

I haven't checked eBay in long time, as the economy and my personal situation prevents a silly buy at this point. I'd bet a decent example would still bring a very respectable price, too high to be of interest.

If you are going to go for a nostalgia purchase, best it be something that was well designed and built.

Harry

Current owner of 2 Ansco Automatic Reflex's, and both 3.5 and 2.8 Rollei's, plus several press type 2x3's, all fun to shoot.

 

[Vince Lupo]

I always heard mentioned that the Agfa Ambi Silette was considered to be the 'Poor Man's Leica', and it's a pretty nice camera in its own right.

Hey, whatta ya know -- I just happen to have one for sale on eBay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160304220079&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

 

[gwigler]

Futura Camera

Futura Camera

Hi John, I actually have one available. The body is in good shape, but the lens has some fine scratches due to someone using a t-shirt to clean it. The diaphragm also needs cleaning due to some oil on it. It also has the original case. Greg

 

[Graybeard]

I've always felt the same way about the Miranda camera. That was a 4x5 press type camera produced in the late 40's, early 50's. The few I've seen were heavily used and in poor shape overall, most likely used by pro's.

I haven't checked eBay in long time, as the economy and my personal situation prevents a silly buy at this point. I'd bet a decent example would still bring a very respectable price, too high to be of interest.

If you are going to go for a nostalgia purchase, best it be something that was well designed and built.

Harry

Current owner of 2 Ansco Automatic Reflex's, and both 3.5 and 2.8 Rollei's, plus several press type 2x3's, all fun to shoot.

The Mirandas of that period that I remember were 35mm single lens reflexes. These first appeared as "Orion" cameras then changed to the Miranda name.

These were relatively low-priced, serviceable cameras made to sell for a price below that of a Pentax or Nikkormat. They were often carried by discount stores along with Yashicas and Petris. The offered good features but didn't seem to hold up well, at least in the experience of my friends who owned them (beyond my means in those days, so I have no direct experience)

There seem to be plenty of the available on eBay .

Graybeard

 

[harry01562]

The Miranda you speak of was a brand of 35mm, mostly or all SLR's. They were closed out and sold off over 20 years ago, so that the company could concentrate on their line of MF cameras.

The Miranda I speak of was a press-style camera, similar to the Crown Graphic or Linhof, with a distinctive round front standard and lensboard. Very well made, and expensive, it was produced in the US (?) and targeted to pro or studio use. I believe it was first introduced in the late 40's, and only survived for a short time.

Harry

 

[hjagis]

Years ago I was infatuated with the Futura camera but could not afford one. At 40 pounds each it was over the top for me. Does anyone have any comments on this camera and whether second hand one are still about?

They where made with substandard materials and did not last long. Hjalti

 

[john341]

Well thanks for all that info. Many cameras were made poorly (even some Leicas), I guess you pay your money and take your chances. But sometimes you see a camera and think "that is for me!" thus it was with the Futura. Later I fell in love with a Contaflex-that made me almost give up photography forever!

 

[3js]

They where made with substandard materials and did not last long. Hjalti

Obviosly you never held one in your hand. Actually newer models, like Futura S, are quite well made. Shutter is a Synchro Compur, the best leaf shutter of 50`s. The body is quite heavy and beautifully crafted, no substandard materials at all. I have one, and I like to shoot it.