Antique Cameras
Antique cameras bring about a sense of nostalgia like nothing else. From the portrait plates and floor standing cameras of the Old West to the first pocket cameras of the 1920's, antique cameras are as much fun to collect and display as they are to shoot film with. The evolution of the camera carries us along on a journey through history, and being part of that journey is as easy as a trip to your local antique mall.
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History
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The camera in some form goes back to the 17th century. Pinhole cameras were the first basic camera, and from there the average film or plate camera was too large to make it practical for every day uses by everyday people.
The first permanent photograph was taken in 1826 by Frenchman Joseph Nicephore Niepce and, from there, the camera began to evolve. Studio cameras were generally floor standing units with a slide "shutter" that exposed the film or sensitized plate to light. The image would appear upside down to the photographer and would be in black and white or sepia toned.
Cameras have gotten smaller and picture quality better as years go by with the advent of new photographic technology and film. Photography enthusiasts though feel a real sense of history when using or collecting antique cameras that bring the art of photography back to the image maker.
Function
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Antique cameras have two functions. One is for taking pictures. Camera enthusiasts will repair and use antique cameras to capture images with more purposeful flaws to create retro looking images. Scratches and overexposure can add to an image and allow the photographer to create a personal style to set their images apart. Using antique cameras isn't always easy, though, as repair and film for the cameras can be hard to get.
The other function of antique cameras is for aesthetics and nostalgia. Collected mostly by photography enthusiasts, antique cameras can be found at nearly every antique mall and flea market and can range in price, depending on the year of manufacturing and popularity.
Time Frame
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photo by a.drian flickr.com
Antique cameras can be found going all the way back to the 1800's with earlier models being very rare. Many antique cameras are available from the 1940's and 50's including the popular Kodak Brownie. You may find fold-out cameras going back to the early 1900's and vintage "vest pocket" cameras from about 1925.
Features
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Antique cameras will feature the box, shutter and bellows for the old portrait style cameras from the early 1900's. Great finds include cameras with their original boxes or cases. Some antique cameras will include lenses, straps and metal or brass switches and buttons.
Size
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photo by alexkerhead flickr.com
Folding plate cameras can be 3 ¼ x 5 ½ inches folded and 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 9 inches when opened. The Kodak Brownie camera is about 3.25" x 3" x 2.75" and about comparable in size to other cameras of the 1950's. The earliest samples of antique cameras are floor standing models and can be as big as a stove.
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