Cameras Snap LOU ANN GOOD Food And Family Features Editor LITITZ (Lancaster Co.) Progress for snapping sharp, clear pictures at an affordable price continues to advance. Dis posable cameras under $lO do a remarkable job of capturing the moment. The amazing advances in <ligi(al photography is becom ing more and more affordable, but those old cameras are far from obsolete at least in the minds of collectors. *They don’t make cameras like they used to,” John Miller said of the quality of camera body features and intricate mech anism. People collect for a variety of reasons. Some hobbyists collect only Kodak or those made by a specific manufacturer. Serious minded investors collect only rare, unique cameras guaranteed to increase in value. Miller said of his quest to gar ner a collection of old cameras, “It doesn’t necessarily need to be valuable, but the shutter and the aperature must work.” Both hobbyists and investors find novel ways to display their collections and keep them protected. Miller finds these stacking barrister bookcases work well. Lancaster FjMJ^mg Progression Of Photography Miller became fascinated with old cameras when his father-in law gave him one that he had purchased second-hand in Japan at the end of World War 11. Set ting shutter and aperatures and exposure meters allowed a lot of leeway compared to today’s auto matic focus and Miller enjoyed playing around with it. Miller picked up another find at a garage sale. Soon he was fre quenting antique shops in search of others. He soon discovered that he needed some guidance to determine value. Flea markets and garage sales often allow for better buys, but one must be careful of deception according to Miller. “The problem is that many sellers don’t know exactly what they have and often think an old camera is worth more than it is.” Miller strongly recommends that collectors invest in a reliable resource guide. Pocket guides are available and give an idea of price when browsing through an tique stores, but Miller prefers a $lOO resource guide, which pic- hires each model, provides a bit of history, and values cameras according to grades of good, very good, and parts. “It’s the best authority around,” Miller said. Condition not only depends on appearance but also on rarity. The guide lists price differences for both antique shops and pri vate purchases. “You really should know what you’re doing when you collect higher priced models,” Miller said. “Some models are worth thousands and some are worth less reproductions.” Reproductions are only made of more expensive models, espe cially those with wooden bodies. Miller said that the original cam eras can only be confirmed by comparing model numbers with those listed in the resource guide. Miller collects a variety of cameras that he identifies as “whatever appeals to me.” A 1930 Steinbeit camera was once used professionally. Instead of film, the German-made cam era required a negative metal plate that was slid into the cam era and removed from the top. Metal plates cost about $5 today. A 1950 Mecury enabled a home developer to convert a 35mm film to a half frame that enabled a 36 exposure roll to be increased to 72. According to Miller, it was the only camera ever that had a round circle in stead of a shutter. “Until Kodak came out with the Brownie, the average person could not afford a camera. Before that most cameras needed to be mailed back to the manufacturer to have the film removed and de veloped. Kodak revolutionized the cam era industry. But they are also cheaper as collectibles since they were more affordable from the beginning and more exist. It’s possible to accumulate a collec tion of Kodak cameras at a very reasonable price. Hobbyists who collect cameras can join a collector’s club. These clubs assist collectors with in formation and can be a source for locating particular models. The internet also provides informa tion and purchasing possibilities. Some cameras come in leather Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 28, 2001 -819 (Desr/€*r* John Miller collects whatever appeals to him. He exam ines a German-made 1930 s Steinbeit camera that does not use film, but negative plates that slide into the cam era and pulled out from the top. Pictured at left are a Kodak 620, a twin lens reflex, and a Spartus press flash. Each of these models show a unique feature that help show the progression of camera photography. cases, but these can actually cause their demise and ruin the camera. Miller said. He also warned against using glass clean ers to clean up old models. Cleaners are abrasive and tend to scratch or remove the finish. Movie and Polaroid models are not highly prized by collectors unless they feature an extremely rare technique. “If you find a camera in its original box, it increases in value. At a local farmer’s market and flea market, Miller found a flash See How Graiulpop Farmed The Eastern Shore Threshermen and Collectors Asso ciation, Inc., will be holding its 41st annual Wheat Threshing, Steam and Gas Engine Show on Aug. 3,4, 5 at the showgrounds located on Route 313 between Denton and Federalsburg, Md. Attractions include wheat thresh ing, shingle sawing, a miniature sawmill, rock crushing, flea market, lawn tractor rodeo, steam engines, antique tractors, gasoline engines, antique cars, and steam mod els in operation. A daily parade of all equipment will be conducted at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Kids of all ages Will be able to ride “Smokey Joe” a miniature steam train which is a replica of the Civil War era “General” locomotive. unit that was never out of the box that fit one of the cameras in his collection. It’s finds such as that and the thrill of the hunt that keeps Mill er and other collectors searching for cameras wherever they go. Many collectors such as Miller set their sights on particular models that they read or hear about. Miller has 15 cameras in his collection that he vows to never sell. He is seeking a press camera made in the 1940 s similar to those seen in old movies.
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