Camera Collections

Camera collections on the net.

A selections of sites showing camera collections. Some of these collections are from various photography institutions, others are personal collections. Some of them simply show pictures of the camera with very brief details, some seem very well researched. However, despite the obvious effort that has gone into some of these sites, I cannot vouch for the information supplied. As always if doing some research on an old camera it is best to locate more than one source.

One of the problems with vintage camera identification is the fact that quite a number of models were supplied with minor variations, even within the type. Another complication is that during and for a period of several years after WWII many camera types were assembled from a somewhat mixed bag of parts with old stock parts originally intended for one model, being used or adapted for use on a different model. Wartime economies meant that you often had to use what you had on hand, and nothing would be thrown out or disposed of as 'surplus'. So some cameras built in 1948 say, might display features of a 1944 model, such as the detail of the rear door pattern. This could have been due to a repair, but in some cases research will reveal that that's the way they left the factory, as old surplus stock was used as a stop-gap should there be a shortage of newly manufactured parts. (People would have been used to this make-do approach after the depredations of war, and would for the most part be quite used to the idea that other things might just be a little more important!)

To some people this just adds to the charm of models from that era, and certainly it does mean that whereas the particular model might have been manufactured in the hundreds of thousands, your particular sample might just be one of a few hundred built over a few days! (Proving that might be just a bit difficult, though but it's nice to imagine that might be the case!)

Link	Description
Collecting and Using Classic Cameras	Karen Nakamura's personal collection from her Photoethnography website, which is well worth a look in itself. Karen obviously has s oft spot for rangefinders, so a good starting point. The models are well researched and presented, as one would respect from the Assistant Professor of Anthropology, at Yale! Other features on the site include a glossary of terms, (Photoetnograpic terms!) which includes the word 'Chimping'. Defined as, "The habit of digital photographers to review their previous shots while holding their cameras at arms length and go "Oooh ooh aah aahh." Meanwhile, whatever they are photographing continues to go on and they are missing all of it. " that just about sums up my feelings about digital photography. But also see the definition of "program auto exposure". (By now you should be getting the distinct impression that I am some sort of Luddite.)
Collector of Antique & 19th Century Cameras	A good selection of real antique wooden cameras here. These cameras are often worth hundreds of pounds to antique camera collections, and tend only to be seen at auction fairly infrequently, so pages like this and books are the only place most of us are going to see them. You can also buy books on collectible cameras from this site, so this could be doubly useful, or maybe you just want to look at the pictures of the cameras in this collection.
Samlarkameror	What language this is in I have very little idea! This is only one of many pages listing a great number of cameras, and photographic equipment. The fact that I don't understand the language makes little difference as most of the camera information is easily deciphered, and the names of cameras don't generally change with language.
David Photographic	A collection from a collector and restorer of cameras. Some very nice cameras on display here arranged in approximate chronological order. Lot's of other pages too.
Ilford camera collectors site.	A few other cameras here plus a lot of info and pages on British photographic manufacturers and suppliers. This probably covers the last of the cameras to be manufactured in the UK, but note that some of the featured companies (Apart from the obvious Ilford) are still up and running. The fact that these companies in particular seem to take product development seriously is an object lesson that many modern (UK) company directors still seem unable to learn!
Antique & 19th Century Cameras	The name says it all really!
Antique & Classic Cameras	Yet another appropriately named site. A reasonable selection here.
Powerhouse Museum Collection Search page	This is the Sydney Powerhose Museum search page. So more than just cameras here but browse the camera sections, or search and you will find a huge number of cameras and other photographic in their collection. Not all pictures ae in colour, and not all descriptions seem to have pictures, but there are so many exhibits here that hardly matters.
La collection d'appareils photo anciens par Sylvian Halgand	French, but I guess someone has to be. A fair selection of cameras listed here as well, most with English translations too.
My Collection (Not really)	Not my camera collection, but that's what the site owner called this page. Another selection of vintage cameras. Not a lot of detail, but a reasonable variety.
Scott's Photographica Collection	Comprehensive with lots of information on the cameras featured. There is even a page of shutter sound recordings!
The Brownie Camera Page	Anything with the word 'Brownie' in it's name is probably here. Some of the cameras listed here are un-illustrated, but there are a lot of brownie models. Also shown are approximate 'values'. I would ignore these some are I think rather wishful. Camera values are very difficult to nail-down. It depends on the exact model, where it is offered, (General sales auction, boot/garage sale, online auction, specialist auction etc) condition, (Both mechanical and cosmetic.) and availability. Even then there is a wide spread, and they can change very quickly. In general I would say for most box brownies, boot sale values should be around £1 even for nice ones, and in general sales auctions they should be totally discounted. Eg, don't bid for them alone, they usually are only sold as part of a mixed lot. The reason for that is these auctions are commonly selling to car boot and online sellers, who are not expecting to see much for them in any case. You can often buy from them right after the sale without having to bid at all.
Enhancing the Illusion	The Process and Origins of Photography. George Eastman House Technology Archive Index to 282 Selected Objects