Author Topic: Cameras with style... (Read 15019 times)

moominsean · « **on:** November 21, 2010, 04:12:28 AM »

We've already done the "what camera would I wear" thread...this is just more about those cameras that somehow just look cool. They have that x-factor. Even if you wouldn't care to own one, like with this pretty Kodak Retina S1, you still like to look at it! I would never use this camera, but I wouldn't mind having one on my shelf! Seems there are plenty of beautiful, "average" cameras...any more that you guys like?

Skorj · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2010, 04:27:49 AM »

This little kitten comes to mind. Nice to look at, and a quite competent machine, but it is one of the few I have that just sits on the shelf.

Skj.

Late Developer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2010, 06:43:51 AM »

Well, I'm a great fan of the "classic" and the "classical". Style and class came, in my opinion, in no greater quantities than during the "art deco" period. This classic camera was made between 1933 and 1936. It is as simple as it is elegant and I want one. (My friend has one for sale but it's not in great condition cosmetically, so I'm putting it out of my mind until I can afford one like this).

Skorj · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2010, 10:16:35 AM »

That Rollei does indeed have style! In a similar mode we have the Fujicaflex (carrying the Fuji theme on too I see):

And another tasty Fuji:

Mil Mascaras · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2010, 02:52:00 PM »

The Kodak Signet 35 is a beauty, especially the US Army version, which goes for quite a bit of money on ebay.

I have the more common version, which I got quite cheap in a charity shop.

moominsean · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2010, 03:51:33 PM »

These Fujica Minis were designed to fit in a purse. Done by the guy that did the Fujipet...

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2010, 04:46:39 PM »

Those Fujicas look awesome (what kind of model is that anyway Skorj?). Too bad they are so hard to get here in Europe.

Urban

gary m · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2010, 04:53:43 PM »

Kodak Bantam Special- Walter Teague designed

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2010, 05:21:38 PM »

Then there's the Minolta 110 zoom slr.

Photo_Utopia · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2010, 05:29:30 PM »

I would go with the already posted Rolleiflex Art Deco. If not this Ensign Ful Vue:

Greys on Grey · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2010, 05:42:12 PM »

A Universal Minute 16 my aunt carried with her while she was working in Viet Nam back in 1958.

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2010, 05:48:15 PM »

Gary, what a beauty! That drove me straight to a well known auction site so that I could dribble even more!

sapata · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2010, 10:33:31 PM »

My 3D camera....

Miles · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2010, 10:39:24 PM »

Utopia - That's the Ful-View I have, it works a treat too.

Any decent TLR always looks the part. The Eastman Bullet is one cool pocket model. But I'd love to use one of these Mamiya Press Jobbies !

Miles ...

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2010, 11:26:27 PM »

Mine is always the Zorki 10. I love the way it looks. It's a copy of the Ricoh Auto 35, but I've never owned the latter. I had the Zorki for a year and enjoyed staring at it and stroking it, but eventually sold it on. It's an OK camera, but not super easy to use. Here's Damion's photo of mine from a few years ago.

Image courtesy of The Camera Site .

Here are the Ricoh and the Zorki side-by-side.

moominsean · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2010, 12:20:56 AM »

yeah i've off and on considered getting a zorki for that very reason! but i know i would never use it. didn't know about the ricoh!

Greys on Grey · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2010, 12:58:45 AM »

twice the number of exposures!

Miles · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2010, 07:16:14 AM »

Love the Zorki 10 and was suckered as such. It's so Space 1999. Mine was black ! I returned it to the Ukraine an never got refunded the postage.

Didn't know it was quite soooooo like the Ricoh mind

LT · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2010, 07:16:41 AM »

How about the Rollei SL2000? A 35mm slr with MF slr styling.

Photo_Utopia · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2010, 07:20:56 AM »

Quote from: Miles on November 21, 2010, 10:39:24 PM

Utopia - That's the Ful-View I have, it works a treat too.

I'm thinking of buying one this week, I've been out bidded on a couple and have always wanted one.
Another box camera i like is the Tengor.

LT · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2010, 07:24:45 AM »

Or maybe the Rollei / Voigtlander VF 101. A wonderfully solid compact 35mm RF.

Andrea. · « **Reply #21 on:** November 22, 2010, 09:56:21 AM »

I have this little gem and it is little too. Braun Paxette with extinction meter - no table however but a bit of judicious counter metering should get it sorted. Works just fine - when its warm but, the front lens element is horribly scratched. Still, I have used it with this home-made lens hood held of with gaffer tape. Obviously.

Just fits in the hand like a dream and is an engineering wonder.

LT · « **Reply #22 on:** November 22, 2010, 10:24:47 AM »

Don't forget the Purma Special. A british made bakelite 127 square-shooter camera with the gravity controlled fast, medium or slow shutter speeds (depending on which way up you hold it)

picture courtesy of galessa's plastics on fllckr

Francois · « **Reply #23 on:** November 22, 2010, 03:52:50 PM »

There's also the folding Kodak Jiffy 620...
You just have to love that front plate and the scissor extensions.

There's also the Kodak Bullet like said before. Here's mine with the lens extended.

Lino · « **Reply #24 on:** November 22, 2010, 05:55:46 PM »

I think this is the classiest camera ever.
If only it had a rangefinder! The olympus xa has one but doesn't look this cute...

Late Developer · « **Reply #25 on:** November 22, 2010, 08:32:57 PM »

Quote from: gary m on November 21, 2010, 04:53:43 PM

Kodak Bantam Special- Walter Teague designed

Hi Gary.

A friend of mine has a Bantam "Colorsnap" (with its box) for sale at the moment. Apparently he says it takes 828 size film but this is no longer available. Do you happen to know if there's any film that will fit it - or is it just a redundant piece of kit that would look pretty as a paper-weight...??

Francois · « **Reply #26 on:** November 22, 2010, 09:09:09 PM »

I guess the best you can do is re-spool 120 on the big spool...

LT · « **Reply #27 on:** November 22, 2010, 09:16:52 PM »

Quote from: Lino on November 22, 2010, 05:55:46 PM

I think this is the classiest camera ever.
If only it had a rangefinder! The olympus xa has one but doesn't look this cute...

you think that rollei 35 is stylish ... how about this:

or this one:

LT · « **Reply #28 on:** November 22, 2010, 09:18:32 PM »

... of course, for stylish, read garish, extravagant and tacky.

Late Developer · « **Reply #29 on:** November 22, 2010, 11:46:28 PM »

Strewth, Leon, that gold Rollei's a bit "David Hasselhof", if you know what I mean....

sapata · « **Reply #30 on:** November 22, 2010, 11:58:36 PM »

To add a bit of glamour to the topic... what about the "Penti" as in the "Sophie Ellis Bextor" album cover...
Picture by John Kratz

moominsean · « **Reply #31 on:** November 23, 2010, 01:12:01 AM »

very elegant...with a funky name.

gary m · « **Reply #32 on:** November 23, 2010, 03:25:57 AM »

Quote from: Late Developer on November 22, 2010, 08:32:57 PM

Quote from: gary m on November 21, 2010, 04:53:43 PM
Kodak Bantam Special- Walter Teague designed

Hi Gary.

A friend of mine has a Bantam "Colorsnap" (with its box) for sale at the moment. Apparently he says it takes 828 size film but this is no longer available. Do you happen to know if there's any film that will fit it - or is it just a redundant piece of kit that would look pretty as a paper-weight...??

Check this info here on 828 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/828_film

Heather · « **Reply #33 on:** November 23, 2010, 08:23:26 AM »

I always thought my Finetta 88 was pretty stylish.

image borrowed from http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/Finetta-88.html

It's not bad for a heavy weight. I keep getting photos back I thought my husband took with his SLR... but then I look at the negatives and see the funny spacing (doesn't count sprockets so as the film goes onto the takeup, the spacing gets wider. and wider... and wider...) and realised oh yeah I took those.