One for the photography addicts out there....
Does anyone know about period German cameras that would have been used in the period 1935-1945? I'm also after any other details like film formats (and availability!), focus, that kind of thing. The reason I ask is that no matter how good digital cameras are and even with a serious amount of Photoshopping I dont think that you can beat good old film in a camera of the correct vintage to get authentic results (plus, I cant Photoshop for the life of me!)
Thanks in advance for any advice that people can give.
Cheers
James
Vintage German Cameras
Zeiss Contax I, II, and III were used (not the post war IIA and IIIA). Take normal modern 35mm film cartridges. Costs start at $200 for a contax I that does not work upto $600 for one that does (thats pounds, I'm using a foreign keyboard). Upto $300 for a good working contax II and III.
Or look for kiev cameras for about $25-$50 on ebay as they are post-war copies.
Dont be fooled. The photos you will get from these cameras with modern film look modern not period.
Or look for kiev cameras for about $25-$50 on ebay as they are post-war copies.
Dont be fooled. The photos you will get from these cameras with modern film look modern not period.
Hmm.......sexy.......shame all my money's going on solicitor's bills.
Still, it is possible to get civvy ones at about the £300 mark.
From:-
http://www.theclassiccamera.com/
Leica IIIC Gray Paint K
£2,499.00
During the Second World War, Leica made a number of 111c cameras for the German Military. These were finished in grey paint, though some exist in chrome and black finishes. This example has the letter K after the serial number, indicating the use of ball bearings in the shutter for smoother operation and improved performance in low temperatures. The serial number, 391426K indicates 1943/5 as the year or production. Camera is in full working order, showing signs of normal use. The shutter is fully operational on all speeds. There is some paint wear and tear, with brassing on the base and some edges, but the viewfinder optics and rangefinder are clear. The Vulcanite has a couple of cracks on the back, but these cracls have been expertly repaired. Chrome parts are clean and free from pitting.
Leica IIIC Grey Paint body, very rare
£2,495.00
Leica made a number of 111c bodies for Military use in Grey paint finish - though some were made in chrome and black too. This one's in Exc+ condition; the paint finish is good, but there are signs of brassing at corners and edges. Viewfinder optics and rangefinder are both clear, and the shutter is in full working order. Chome parts look clean and are un-pitted; there's very slight brassing on the film advance knob, The Vulcanite is in very good condition - some handling wear and tear, but no cracks; just a tiny bit missing near the slow speed knob. Serial number 388650 indicates that the body was made in 1941.
Still, it is possible to get civvy ones at about the £300 mark.
From:-
http://www.theclassiccamera.com/
Leica IIIC Gray Paint K
£2,499.00
During the Second World War, Leica made a number of 111c cameras for the German Military. These were finished in grey paint, though some exist in chrome and black finishes. This example has the letter K after the serial number, indicating the use of ball bearings in the shutter for smoother operation and improved performance in low temperatures. The serial number, 391426K indicates 1943/5 as the year or production. Camera is in full working order, showing signs of normal use. The shutter is fully operational on all speeds. There is some paint wear and tear, with brassing on the base and some edges, but the viewfinder optics and rangefinder are clear. The Vulcanite has a couple of cracks on the back, but these cracls have been expertly repaired. Chrome parts are clean and free from pitting.
Leica IIIC Grey Paint body, very rare
£2,495.00
Leica made a number of 111c bodies for Military use in Grey paint finish - though some were made in chrome and black too. This one's in Exc+ condition; the paint finish is good, but there are signs of brassing at corners and edges. Viewfinder optics and rangefinder are both clear, and the shutter is in full working order. Chome parts look clean and are un-pitted; there's very slight brassing on the film advance knob, The Vulcanite is in very good condition - some handling wear and tear, but no cracks; just a tiny bit missing near the slow speed knob. Serial number 388650 indicates that the body was made in 1941.
Some nice looking cameras there! Bit pricey for me at the moment, but i'm sure i'll come up with something "fitting".
Botty - i'm looking at some specialist film stock (the Efke stuff) and I've done some digging around and have found that you can still get developer from Calbe that is still made to the original (70 years+) "recipe".
Botty - i'm looking at some specialist film stock (the Efke stuff) and I've done some digging around and have found that you can still get developer from Calbe that is still made to the original (70 years+) "recipe".
Some on ebay at the moment:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Contax-11-with-Te ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kiev-4-Rangefinde ... dZViewItem
Paul, As to Zeiss Ikon, its a trade name for a whole range, which model camera is it?
Interested in the film stock you are investigating Heinz
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Contax-11-with-Te ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kiev-4-Rangefinde ... dZViewItem
Paul, As to Zeiss Ikon, its a trade name for a whole range, which model camera is it?
Interested in the film stock you are investigating Heinz
Botty, i'll gove you a shout when ive come up with as much info as possible. Going to catch up with a friend of mine next week whose quite knowledgable about film stock and developing etc etc - he should be able to give me some suppliers names.
Personally, I think the reason he has a dark room to disappear into has as much to do with getting away from his wife as it does with photography!
Personally, I think the reason he has a dark room to disappear into has as much to do with getting away from his wife as it does with photography!