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.