Classic Cameras - Pre 1975

scifan57 · May 29, 2013

I'm starting this thread for all those who enjoy collecting, using, or just appreciating older cameras. Our older members may remember using cameras like this. Our youngest members may never have even seen one of these cameras.

The intention is for any interested members to post photos of their cameras with whatever write-up they choose to provide.

Any Pre-1975 camera is eligible, provided the photos are taken by you.

Once you've posted, please allow someone else to post, before posting again.

You are free to answer any questions posed by our members.

All forum posting rules apply.

Please feel free to send me a PM, if you have any questions about the thread.

scifan57 · May 29, 2013

Leica II
This camera was manufactured in 1932 by Ernst Leitz, in Wetzlar, Germany. It was their first camera with a built in rangefinder. The shutter speed range was 1/20 - 1/500th of a second. The standard lens was usually the 5cm f 3.5 Elmar lens. Lenses could be changed by unscrewing the lens and mounting another, using the 39mm screw mounting.
The leather-like body covering is actually Vulcanite, a product made with vulcanized rubber.

Bob Maxey · May 29, 2013

scifan57 said:
I'm starting this thread for all those who enjoy collecting, using, or just appreciating older cameras. Our older members may remember using cameras like this. Our youngest members may never have even seen one of these cameras.

The intention is for any interested members to post photos of their cameras with whatever write-up they choose to provide.

Any Pre-1975 camera is eligible, provided the photos are taken by you.

Once you've posted, please allow someone else to post, before posting again.

You are free to answer any questions posed by our members

Please feel free to send me a PM, if you have any questions about the thread.

Golly, a man after my own heart. I love old cameras because many are better than almost anything made today. Like a 6 x 9 Bessa Rangefinder.

I have used many oldsters (along with old photo processes) professionally. Like the Kodak 8 X 10 Master View Camera; their Cirkit camera--a #10 which gives you a 10 inch wide by 6 foot negative and a few Banquet Cameras. Stereo Realists, GAF ViewMasters Personals for making your own VM Reels and the like.

It will be interesting to see what people post.

LannyC · May 29, 2013

I did not take this photo, because I no longer have this Zeiss Ikon Ikonta half-frame pocket camera. It was *tiny*, yet took terrific pictures with its legendary Zeiss lens. Totally manual, of course, with a peep sight rather than a viewfinder. I guess it was made in the early 1930s. When I left home, I had to return it to my father, who had bought it before WWII. My dad also had a prewar rangefinder Leica 35mm and a Rolleiflex Automat. He was a German camera junkie.

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scifan57 · May 31, 2013

LannyC said:
I did not take this photo, because I no longer have this Zeiss Ikon Ikonta half-frame pocket camera. It was *tiny*, yet took terrific pictures with its legendary Zeiss lens. Totally manual, of course, with a peep sight rather than a viewfinder. I guess it was made in the early 1930s. When I left home, I had to return it to my father, who had bought it before WWII. My dad also had a prewar rangefinder Leica 35mm and a Rolleiflex Automat. He was a German camera junkie.

This post handcrafted from 100 percent post-consumer recycled electrons.

I'm sure you had many enjoyable hours with your father's Ikonta. The phrase "They don't make them like they used to." certainly applies here. I have a Super Ikonta C, which I may post here, later. Both cameras have lenses of the same high quality from Carl Zeiss, Jena; mine has the addition of a coupled rangefinder.

Richard Brown · Jun 3, 2013

LannyC said:
I did not take this photo, because I no longer have this Zeiss Ikon Ikonta half-frame pocket camera. It was *tiny*, yet took terrific pictures with its legendary Zeiss lens. Totally manual, of course, with a peep sight rather than a viewfinder. I guess it was made in the early 1930s. When I left home, I had to return it to my father, who had bought it before WWII. My dad also had a prewar rangefinder Leica 35mm and a Rolleiflex Automat. He was a German camera junkie.

This post handcrafted from 100 percent post-consumer recycled electrons.

Thanks for this post, Lanny. I've been trying to think what my Dad's camera was. It's very similar to the one in your photo, but Dad's was a full frame model. When he opened the camera, he had to pull the lens mount forward on a built in tubular track. I think he had to co*k the lens before taking a photo.

The family photos were taken on this camera, and he continued to use the camera right up to the end of the 1960s.

We enjoyed Dad's slide shows. He loved setting up the screen, and balancing the slide projector on a pile of large books on top of the tea trolley. Those family evenings had such a sense of warmth and occasion. Now, Dad used this to preview the slides.

It cost him the princely sum of 7s 6d or 37.5p! Note that it was manufactured in England.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

scifan57 · Jun 3, 2013

LannyC said:
I did not take this photo, because I no longer have this Zeiss Ikon Ikonta half-frame pocket camera. It was *tiny*, yet took terrific pictures with its legendary Zeiss lens. Totally manual, of course, with a peep sight rather than a viewfinder. I guess it was made in the early 1930s. When I left home, I had to return it to my father, who had bought it before WWII. My dad also had a prewar rangefinder Leica 35mm and a Rolleiflex Automat. He was a German camera junkie.

This post handcrafted from 100 percent post-consumer recycled electrons.

scifan57 said:
I'm sure you had many enjoyable hours with your father's Ikonta. The phrase "They don't make them like they used to." certainly applies here. I have a Super Ikonta C, which I may post here, later. Both cameras have lenses of the same high quality from Carl Zeiss, Jena; mine has the addition of a coupled rangefinder.

As promised, here are my photos of my Super Ikonta C. This model was made from the 1930’s until the 1950’s. this example is Pre-WWII and has an uncoated lens. Flash sync was also not present on Pre-war cameras.

Bob Maxey · Jun 3, 2013

Used this all the time:

Used these from time to time, too:

The one on the right is a Kardan B and the other one is a Press 70.

I wish I was still shooting.

scifan57 · Jun 18, 2013

Here is my 1928 Leica I. An interesting fact is that the name Leica appeared nowhere on the camera. It appeared only in advertising, accessories, and literature.

Bob Maxey · Jun 21, 2013

scifan57 said:
Here is my 1928 Leica I. An interesting fact is that the name Leica appeared nowhere on the camera. It appeared only in advertising, accessories, and literature.View attachment 43541 View attachment 43542 View attachment 43543

View attachment 43561

View attachment 43546 View attachment 43547 View attachment 43548 View attachment 43549 View attachment 43550 View attachment 43551 View attachment 43552

The name is on the shutter speed dial. Or am I confused?

scifan57 · Jun 21, 2013

Bob Maxey said:
The name is on the shutter speed dial. Or am I confused?

The name around the shutter speed dial is "Ernst Leitz Wetzlar D.R.P.", the name of the manufacturer. D.R.P. stands for Deutsches Reichspatent.

scifan57 · Jun 22, 2014

This is the Kodak Ektra camera, produced just before WWII by Kodak in Rochester, New York.

It is a 35mm interchangeable lens rangefinder camera. This was Kodak's only attempt at a professional quality 35mm camera. It was also one of the very few 35mm cameras that had interchangeable film magazines.