Camera Collection

T.C.'s Camera Collection

I like photography. I like most things photographic. Off and on over the years I have been blessed to find some fun treasures. Some are collectible to me for their age, while others for the fun of it.

I have nearly 900 pieces in my collection, not counting all the odds and ends associated with the cameras. The cameras I have run from the late 1880’s to present day. Some are intricate works of art, some molded plastic, and all kinds in between. There are brands like Kodak, Canon, Nikon, Minolta, Argus, Ansco, and many you may not have heard of. The cameras are on display throughout the house. More than one room might remind you of a museum with barrister bookcases covering the walls.

I think I like the collecting part due to the history of the cameras themselves and how they apply to my true enjoyment of photography. I realized recently that I have been taking photos since before my teens. Some of the cameras in the collection are like the cameras I have used in the past.

Part of the fun is trying to figure out how some of these things work. I tend to play around with them until I can figure out how to cycle the shutter and make sure they at least operate. Most of the collection is fully operational though I can not promise what kind of photos they would take. Getting film for many of them is difficult, if not impossible or just too expensive.

I have thrown on a small percentage of what I have. I am not sure anyone would really want to see them all. There is a shot of what the entire collection looked like on display in 2003. It has certainly grown since then. Hope you enjoy the view. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment...

Other links with information on collectible cameras are below.
http://www.boxcameras.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownie_(camera)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastman_Kodak

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/cameras.html

And many more listed by manufacturer.

Finding vintage or collectible cameras is as easy as checking yard sales, thrift shops, auctions, eBay, or sites like this one:
http://www.ritzcam.com/index.htm

Purchasing film for the classic stuff can be hard. One source that might have it is:
http://www.filmforclassics.com/

And the only place I know that you can get some of the older stuff processed is:
http://www.rockymountainfilm.com/

Information on Stereo cameras can be found at:
http://www.stereoscopy.com/cameras/index.html

Since the Velveeta camera got the most attention, I decided to throw on a few more photos. What collection would be complete without a Barbie camera, or two, and a Poloraoid Cialis Special? And of course you have to have items shaped like cameras. A couple of clocks and a lighter fit in quite nicely. :)