bmattock
Veteran
This belongs in a museum:
eBoy Fred Spira / Weegee Autographed Book
I'm not a collector of autographs - I'd rather just have a copy of the book and read it. But I know of Weegee, and I know of Fred Spira (Spiratone). In fact, I've been doing some digging recently to find out who owns the Spiratone name - you never know, they might sell it cheap (I did find it, I just have to talk to their lawer of record).
Anyway, this is a real blast from the past - and hey, it's even appropriate - Weegee's camera was a rangefinder. A great big rangefinder.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
eBoy Fred Spira / Weegee Autographed Book
I'm not a collector of autographs - I'd rather just have a copy of the book and read it. But I know of Weegee, and I know of Fred Spira (Spiratone). In fact, I've been doing some digging recently to find out who owns the Spiratone name - you never know, they might sell it cheap (I did find it, I just have to talk to their lawer of record).
Anyway, this is a real blast from the past - and hey, it's even appropriate - Weegee's camera was a rangefinder. A great big rangefinder.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
GeneW
Veteran
Nice find! I'm not a book collector, but if I were, this one would be great.
Weegee had an enormous impact on what photography could do. And Fred Spira -- you're right -- a blast from the past. Remember going through all the Spiratone ads looking for neat stuff? I believe he was an inventor and Spiratone offered stuff you'd never find anywhere else, and at low prices.
For years I used a Spiratone 28mm screwmount lens on my Pentax. I think it cost me around $50 new. Got some surprisingly good shots with it. Actually I still have it, but the aperture ring is stuck and won't budge when you try to turn it.
Thanks for the memories, Bill!
Gene
Weegee had an enormous impact on what photography could do. And Fred Spira -- you're right -- a blast from the past. Remember going through all the Spiratone ads looking for neat stuff? I believe he was an inventor and Spiratone offered stuff you'd never find anywhere else, and at low prices.
For years I used a Spiratone 28mm screwmount lens on my Pentax. I think it cost me around $50 new. Got some surprisingly good shots with it. Actually I still have it, but the aperture ring is stuck and won't budge when you try to turn it.
Thanks for the memories, Bill!
Gene
taffer
void
Thanks for the link Bill !
back alley
IMAGES
great book...if only i could read...wait, i bet it's got pictures!
if i remember correctly, spiratone had a store in flushing, n.y.c. that i would go into when i was first getting into photography.
who knew i was viewing history?
joe
if i remember correctly, spiratone had a store in flushing, n.y.c. that i would go into when i was first getting into photography.
who knew i was viewing history?
joe
doubs43
Well-known
Mr. Fellig..... Photographer for the Mob! As I recall, he had a two seater coupe and a police radio receiver in the trunk. He was quite a character and showman and, of course, a superb photographer. While he took many grizzly pictures of Mob "hits", the picture that has stuck in my mind is the bedraggles street woman looking (glaring may be a better word) at the well-dressed Society Woman as she passed.
Both my father and I purchased Spiratone items years ago and I may still have a piece or two around somewhere. Always good value for the money.
The book would be worth having.
Walker
Both my father and I purchased Spiratone items years ago and I may still have a piece or two around somewhere. Always good value for the money.
The book would be worth having.
Walker
Gordon Coale
Well-known
Here is a page about the making of that image. And a nice site about Weegee. He used a *big* rangefinder.
doubs43
Well-known
Gordon, that's the one! Thanks for the links. WeeGee was an interesting character who understood the importance of showmanship and being a "character". He also knew the value of his reputation and worked to keep it in front of the public.
Walker
Walker