Cameras

About Antique Cameras

Antique and vintage cameras are valued by collectors for many reasons, from the historical significance of 19th century wood cameras to the fine optics of classic vintage Leicas. Kodak and Polaroid are two other big names in camera collecting, as is Bolex in movie cameras.

The principles of the camera obscura - a simple light projection box - have been understood for thousands of years, but it wasn't until the late 18th century that Thomas Wedgwood discovered he could make simple prints using silver nitrate exposed to the sun. Over the next 100 years, a series of technical advances brought cameras into everyday life. ...

Nicephore Niepce and Louis Daguerre formed a partnership in 1829, and figured out a new chemical bath for prints, which shortened the exposure process to eight hours. Daguerre continued this research until he perfected the Daguerreotype, a print made on silver that was used up until the mid 1850s. Daguerreotypes and other formats (e.g. cyanotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes) were made with wood cameras, which were essentially camera obscuras with lenses, allowing for clearer image refraction.

It wasn't until George Eastman's 1885 invention of film that cameras got smaller - with his Kodak film loaded in, you would send the whole camera back to the factory to have it developed. Oskar Barnack began experimenting with 35 mm film in 1914 and built some prototypes of what eventually become the Leica I, the first practical 35 mm camera, released in 1925.

More improvements came when Kodak introduced the Retina I, the first camera to use a modern 135 film cartridge. Photography soon became affordable to all, even before the 1947 introduction of Polaroid's instant camera.

Development of movie cameras kept pace, building atop the basic slide projection technology (magic lantern) which had been in use since the 1500s. The first movie cameras were developed around 1888, and Thomas Edison produced the first copyrighted film in 1894. In 1895, the Lumiere brothers of France first showed off their 'Cinematographe,' a handheld combination projector and camera, in the first commercial public film screening.

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique Wood Camera Collector Rob Niederman

How did I start collecting cameras? Actually, I had an interest in photography as a kid and owned a darkroom… [more]

An Interview With Vintage Bolex Movie Camera Collector Michael Tisdale

Collecting Paillard-Bolex cameras was something I started doing by accident. It was a combination of several… [more]

An Interview With Antique Photograph and Camera Collectors Jack and Beverly Wilgus

We both come from families that had collections and we both had collections as children. Jack lost his when h… [more]



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Cameras Videos



See all 20 videos


Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Antique and 19th Century Cameras

Antique and 19th Century Cameras

Rob Niederman’s homage to (and collection of) late 19th century wood cameras. This site contains extensive galler… [read review or visit site]

Boxcameras.com

Boxcameras.com

If you're into box cameras, this site offers incredible detail on dozens of early models from 1880 to the 1920s. Al… [read review or visit site]

George Eastman House

George Eastman House

This showcase of vintage cameras and photography is plainly designed, but the camera collection and related referen… [read review or visit site]

Collection D'Appareils Photo

Collection D'Appareils Photo

While we couldn't read everthing - it's mostly in French - the images on this site speak for themselves. Its an ext… [read review or visit site]

Magic Mirror of Life

Magic Mirror of Life

Jack and Beverly Wilgus have put together a great trove of information and images of camera obscura-related photos … [read review or visit site]

Photography in Malaysia

Photography in Malaysia

With in-depth information on a variety of cameras and lenses from manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Lei… [read review or visit site]

Cameras and Co

Cameras and Co

An impressive collection of antique and vintage cameras, this site features high-resolution images of over 120 came… [read review or visit site]

Antique Cameras D. Tristram Ludwig

Antique Cameras D. Tristram Ludwig

David Tristram Ludwig shares high resolution images of his in-depth personal collection of antique cameras, includi… [read review or visit site]


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Clubs & Associations: Cameras


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Rare Vintage B&l Super Baltar 3 In F2 Lens 3" Nice!$1,281 Ends Tuesday 10 bids 42 watchers
Actinograph Slide Rule Exposure Meter Calculator 1888$1,197 Ends in 19 hours 22 bids 78 watchers
Bell & Howell 2709 35mm Studio Camera Hand Cranked!$995.00 Ends Friday 1 bid 36 watchers
Rolleiflex 120/220 Film Carl Zeiss Planar 2.8$850.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 18 watchers
Rollei Sl2000f 35mm Slr Package (rolleiflex) - 3 Lenses$595.00 Ends Saturday 1 bid 11 watchers
Zeca-flex Tlr C1937 Hard To Find Camera 120 Roll Film$575.50 Ends Thursday 13 bids 31 watchers
Kardon Camera Civilian 35mm Rangefinder$565.77 Ends Tuesday 8 bids 18 watchers
Rare Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Tlr 50mm F2 Sonnar W Case$533.00 Ends Wednesday 8 bids 37 watchers
Rare Vintage B&l Super Baltar 6 In F2.8 Lens 6" Nice!$504.00 Ends Tuesday 10 bids 44 watchers
Kardon 35mm Rf Camera W/kodak Ektar Lens 1.9 In. (47 Mm$499.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 20 watchers
German-made Voigtlander Prominent Ii 35mm Rf Camera$445.00 Ends in 5 mins 18 bids 89 watchers
Gomz Sport - Russian Slr$405.00 Ends Sunday 3 bids 23 watchers
Rose Beau Brownie Camera$400.00 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 9 watchers
Beautiful Leica I(c) To Leica Ii Camera Conversion!$370.00 Ends in 1 hour 6 bids 24 watchers
Tessar 180/4.5 Carl Zeiss Lens Contax Rangefinder$350.00 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 1 watcher
Antique Wood Brass 13x18 Tailboard Folding Plate Camera$322.18 Ends in 3 hours 5 bids 17 watchers
1951 Leitz Leica Ic 35mm Camera With Elmar 5cm Lens!$316.00 Ends in 1 hour 9 bids 16 watchers
Arri 16s Movie Camera Arriflex$305.00 Ends Friday 2 bids 42 watchers
Bolex H16 - Newly Restored Classic$300.00 Ends in 4 hours 1 bid 8 watchers
Thornton-pickard 1890's Projector Great Condition$300.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 4 watchers
G.a Krauss Peggy 1 Carl Zeiss 5cm F3.5 Tessar Rare!!$285.51 Ends Monday 5 bids 29 watchers
Vintage Nikon F Camera 6403863$285.00 Ends Sunday 7 bids 22 watchers
Tessina 35mm Spy Sub-miniature Camera With Case +box$277.77 Ends in 22 hours 15 bids 54 watchers
Beautiful Nikon S3 Rangefinder Camera With Lens$271.00 Ends Thursday 8 bids 31 watchers
Alpa Reflex 6 C With 135/3.5 Alpa Schneider Lens ,nice!$260.00 Ends Tuesday 17 bids 52 watchers
Early Unusual R.0. & C. Co.large Feild Folding Camera$257.00 Ends Sunday 3 bids 11 watchers
Bolex Paillard H16 Vintage Movie Camera Mint Condition$250.00 Ends Monday 1 bid 9 watchers
Vintage Rolleiflex +lens Cap+case+rolleinar Lens Nice!$250.00 Ends Sunday 16 bids 88 watchers
W. Watson Mahogany Plate Camera +lens+case+film Holders$232.53 Ends in 18 hours 15 bids 88 watchers
Voigtl??nder Ultramatic W/ 1:2/50 Septon Voigtlander$222.50 Ends in 44 mins 18 bids 44 watchers
Vintage/early Leica Leitz Hektor F=5cm 1:2.5 Lens$213.50 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 14 watchers
Nikon S 35mm Vintage Camera Kit Circa 1951$202.50 Ends in 16 hours 10 bids 27 watchers
Verascope F40 Stereo Camera$202.50 Ends Sunday 6 bids 18 watchers
Minty 21mm/4.5 Biogon-viewfinder+cap+case Contarex Nors$202.50 Ends Monday 5 bids 33 watchers
Bolex Movie Camera With 3-lens Turret - Case +++$202.50 Ends Sunday 9 bids 12 watchers
Agfa Isolette Iii F3.5 Solinar -cla'd Of Course Buy it Now$201.50 Ends in 9 mins 4 bids 10 watchers
Carl Zeiss Planar 110mm Medium Format Lens F2.0 Red One$199.50 Ends in 22 hours 1 bid 26 watchers
Rolleiflex 2.8e Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm Lens$198.00 Ends Saturday 1 bid 1 watcher
Beautiful Asahiflex Iib Camera - A Rarity - W0wser$188.00 Ends in 2 hours 9 bids 37 watchers
Pair Of Glaflex Speed Graphics 4x5 - No Reserve$185.87 Ends in 1 hour 17 bids 52 watchers
Bolex 16mm Switar 25mm 1.4 Rx Lens In Fine Condition$184.96 Ends Monday 2 bids 19 watchers
Bolex 16mm Switar F16-1.8 H16 Rx$182.66 Ends Monday 1 bid 3 watchers
Eyemo 35mm Bomb Spotting Movie Camera Body - Wwii Army$182.50 Ends Monday 8 bids 36 watchers
Leica Leitz Hektor 5cm 2.5 Lens S/n 94337$181.50 Ends Wednesday 5 bids 17 watchers
Pathe Baby 9.5mm Projector (pathescope Cine Path??) Rare$181.04 Ends in 18 hours 13 bids 51 watchers
Rare Pola-matic Stereo Projector Huge Projection *rare*$180.00 Ends Monday 2 bids 6 watchers
Beautiful Canonflex Camera 35mm 1:2.5 R W/ 200mm F:3.5 $173.15 Ends in 1 hour 4 bids 19 watchers
Vintage Houghton Ticka Pocket Watch Style Camera.$168.58 Ends in 12 hours 5 bids 37 watchers
Vintage Canon Rangefinder, 3 Lenses, Leather Cases Nice$168.50 Ends Sunday 6 bids 42 watchers
Super Lynx I - Rare Made In Paris 35mm Leica Copy$159.95 Ends Sunday 1 bid 8 watchers
Polaroid 195 Instant Camera Tominon F=114mm Lens$158.89 Ends Saturday 4 bids 15 watchers
Nice Polaroid 180 Land Camera W/case & Accessories$157.50 Ends Sunday 10 bids 34 watchers
Leicaflex 35mm Camera Summicron Lens Standard In Case$155.50 Ends Sunday 3 bids 23 watchers
Vintage 60s Minolta Autocord Tlr Medium Format Camera$155.00 Ends in 21 hours 18 bids 69 watchers
Vintage Red Bellows Kodak Camera Wood Brass Plate &film$153.75 Ends Wednesday 12 bids 27 watchers
Near Mint Professional Polaroid 180 Vintage Camera $152.50 Ends in 11 hours 12 bids 57 watchers
Vintage Kodak Aero-ektar F:6.0 610mm 9x18 Ee 1814 Lens$152.50 Ends in 23 hours 5 bids 38 watchers
Ilford Advocate Ii~case, Ib, Rare Lustrar Lens~suberb!$152.50 Ends Sunday 3 bids 6 watchers
Morley & Cooper Wood Studio Camera Stand Brass$152.50 Ends in 17 hours 5 bids 42 watchers
Merit Brown Bakelite German Box Rare$150.00 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 4 watchers

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Recent News: Cameras

Source: Google News

Land O'Lakes collector attempts movie camera record in Clearwater
Tampabay.com, November 6th

Vintage cameras like those made by Kodak and Bell and Howell will likely stir some memories of family vacations and holiday fun...Read more

Susan R. Pollack
The Detroit News, November 5th

Shoppers at Watch Hill Home Interiors in Birmingham on Saturday will receive 15 percent off most items (such as the vintage camera bookends, pictured,...Read more

Somerset Auction Gallery
Antiques and the Arts Online, November 5th

baskets, coffee grinders, knife trays, vintage cameras, country post office sign from New Hartford, huge roulette wheel, antique advertising displays,...Read more

It's time for the second annual, slightly belated, not-quite-so-obscure ...
The Jackson Citizen Patriot - MLive.com, November 5th

I finally got my pictures back from last weekend (I use an antique camera that requires a cylindrical cartridge containing a strip of plastic coated with...Read more

RCG Photography a shot of owner's passion
Geneva Sun, November 2nd

Her grandfather had a camera collection and her grandmother always kept a scrapbook. It was only natural for Green to pick up her camera and capture those...Read more

The other half of Vishwanath Mishra
Daily News & Analysis, October 29th

Mumbai: Born a sugarcane juice vendor's son, an SLR camera was only an exotic word in photographer Vishwanath Mishra's limited English vocabulary when he...Read more

Vintage camera robots have '60s panache
CNET News, October 19th

These robot cameras will serve well as decorative pieces for the avid camera collectors. Each is named by the artist, and signed and dated as well...Read more

Polaroid film returns
Seattle Post Intelligencer, October 13th

During a press conference in Hong Kong, China investment advisers from Summit Global announced Polaroid would reproduce some vintage cameras in association...Read more

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