What body to have for collecting?

I'll take Robert Frank's Leica IIIC that he took around the country with him to shoot "The Americans". Anyone know if this camera is actually in a collection somewhere?

Don't know about his IIIC, but I know the 16mm Arriflex BL he used on a couple of his movies belongs to the Atlantic Filmmakers Coopertive. I used it a couple of times, but I don't know if they still have it.

I've read that Ralph Gibson has Robert Franks enlarger he printed "The Americans" with.
 
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The leica that shot Mussolini's nose would be nice ...

In the 1950s when asked which wartime leader he most admired Churchill replied immediately with "Mussolini! he had the good sense to shoot his son-in-law" .. I don't think he meant photographically
 
Thanks, I'm ok with mine... If I use it well, in time, you will want my camera...

I have a similar opinion. I'd be happy with a black paint M3, preferably in really good condition so I could wear it out for the rest of my life.

I would never put a camera on the mantlepiece.
 
Hello Kitty M6.

hellokiity-m6.jpg
 
I don't collect, so a black Nikon SP or S3 with an S36 motor drive and non-corded batterypack (Jacobsen Powercon?)
And I don't care if it is historically significant, has a spiffy serial number, belonged to someone famous or even pristine, as long as it works well.
 
It is funny how many didn't read the part about this being hypothetical and just for fun.

We get it, you would never (gasp) put a camera on a shelf. Your camera is constantly in your hand, always faced at great truths and exotic locales. Your right thumb, when not bleeding from advancing film so often, is calloused and raw. You are hardcore, we get it.

Now how about having a little fun by talking about cameras that have been present for great historic events, or what cameras important historical figures used, thereby making them "valuable", as is the purpose of this thread? I sincerely doubt that OP was looking for a bunch of self-righteous declarations of distaste for collecting. :eek:
 
My own M4-P or M6TTL. I covet nothing of anyone else's and, so long as I can see and use my own, I am a happy man.

Yep, right there.

On the other hand, I cherish the stories that came with my photo gears. Like my Rolleiflex, which was previously owned by an USAF Officer who took photos for airplane designs of his, or my set of enamel development tray in which the father of the seller developed some authentic photos taken in Pearl Harbor when it became *the* Pearl Harbor.
 
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