Mr. Martin's Web Site - 35mm Rangefinder and Viewfinder Cameras

Camera Museum - 35mm Rangefinder and Other

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This section contains over 50 still cameras from A to Z (Argus to Zeiss Ikon) using 35mm film but not having single lens reflex viewing and focusing. There are four primary ways these cameras focus. First, some are fixed focus. There is no focus adjustment. The lenses are usually small aperture and will provide a clear depth of field from perhaps five feet to infinity. Second, some have zone focusing. The lens focuses, but the user has to estimate the distance. Often there are two, three or four distance zones often represented by icons to help the user. The third way is rangefinder focusing which provides precise focusing. Rangefinder cameras have at least two windows which produce two images. There is usually a yellow square or diamond seen in the viewfinder with two overlapping images. You rotate the focusing ring until the two images merge together. For further information see The Living Image and Olympus 35mm Rangefinder Cameras. Rangefinder focusing became common in the 1950s and remained popular until being largely replaced by the fourth focusing method, autofocus which begin with the Konica C35 AF in November 1977. With autofocus, you just point at the subject and the camera focuses automatically. See Wikipedia - Autofocus for more information. With all of these cameras the photographer views the image through a viewfinder which is not connected to the lens. The view through this viewfinder or window can hence be slightly different from the image that hits the film.

The cameras are arranged alphabetically by manufacturer and then generally by date for each manufacturer.

Argus \| Canon \| Kodak \| Konica \| Mamiya \| Minolta \| Nikon \| Olympus \| Pentax \| Petri \| Ricoh \| Voigtlander \| Yashica \| Zeiss Ikon \| Other
Argus
	Argus C3, an enduring American classic 35mm rangefinder, known as the "brick" due to it's boxy and solid design, millions of Argus C3 cameras were sold from 1938 to 1966. While basic, it is a serious camera with adjustable apertures from f3.5 to f16 with the standard 50mm lens, adjustable shutter speeds from 1/10 to 1/300 second plus bulb, and rangefinder focus with close focus of 3 feet. It has separate viewfinder and rangefinder windows with the rangefinder giving a magnified view. The windows are very small. A round knob on top advances the film and a separate lever on front cocks the shutter. Two holes on the side are used to mount a flash. This one was purchased on eBay on July 2, 2005 for $2.01 with $3.75 shipping. It is in nearly new cosmetic and working condition except that the viewfinder and rangefinder windows are foggy. While still usable, a close-up examination with a hand lens reveals likely mold. It comes with a brown leather case also in excellent condition. The camera has no exposure meter although an uncoupled meter could be mounted to the accessory clip on top of the camera. The camera can use interchangeable 100mm and 35mm lenses in addition to the 50mm lens. Numerous sites feature the C3. Manual, Favorite Classics, Argus C3 history, Dad Owned an Argus C-3, Photos with Argus cameras, Repairing viewfinder and rangefinder. Additional views of my C3. Front, Top, Back, Open, Bottom, Case.
Argus C4, a classic American rangefinder with a 50mm f2.8 lens, adjustible aperture from f2.8 to f22, shutter speeds from 1/10 to 1/300 and Bulb, no meter. Manufactured from 1951 to 1957. The camera is in good working condtion. I have taken photos with it. Purchased at a neighborhood garage sale for $20 along with case, two instamatics, and a vintage working light meter. This was one of the cameras that got me interested in vintage collecting. See argoflex.com for excellent information on Argus cameras including neat old advertisements (e.g.,1954 C4 and 1957 C4) and manuals (e.g.,C4 Manual). Price in 1957 Sears Camera Catalog was $84.50 ($585 in 2005 dollars).	Argus Autronic I (1960-1962) Sort of a big '60s space age C3 with many strange features. The shutter release is in front surrounded by the focusing knob. The camera has rangefinder focusing that work well. It has a one turn film advance lever. The shutter speeds are disguised by using 500, action, scene, and flash descriptions. Using the manual, however, you find there are speeds of 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30 and bulb. The aperture readings are also simply labeled from 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 although the manual indicates these are really f2.8, f4, f5.6, f8, f11, f16 and f22. As best I can tell, it has a match needle and automatic shutter preferred selenium (no battery) metering system, although mine does not appear to work. According to other Web sites, most of Autronic meters no longer work. It has an Argus f2.8 Cintar lens and Compur shutter. The camera back opens down instead of out. It has a nice folding flash which fits on the side. Price in 1962 Montgomery Ward Camera Catalog was $79.97 ($515 in 2005 dollars). Mine is in excellent cosmetic and working condition except for the meter. I purchased it on August 2, 2005 on eBay for $6 plus $7.70 shipping together with flash and case. Additional photos:camera with flash, case and folded flash.
Argus \| Canon \| Kodak \| Konica \| Mamiya \| Minolta \| Nikon \| Olympus \| Pentax \| Petri \| Ricoh \| Voigtlander \| Yashica \| Zeiss Ikon \| Other
Canon
	Canon Dial 35 (November 1963) (large image) a very unique design featuring a ring (hence "dial") of CdS exposure cells surrounding the 28mm f2.8 lens and a handle with a spring film advance/rewind. The format is half frame 35mm using regular 35mm film, but with a frame area half that of the regular 35mm frame area as seen in this interior photo comparing a Dial 35 with a Minolta Hi-Matic E. Zone focusing. Shutter priority automatic exposure. More information at the Canon Camera Museum under film cameras - other. I have included the Dial 35 under both the 35mm non-SLR category and sub-miniature category. Canon also marketed the Dial Rapid in October 1965 and the Dial 35-2 in April 1968. Canon from February 1963 to April 1967 also marketed their half frame Demi cameras similar to the Olympus Pen half frame cameras begun in 1959. My Dial 35 was purchased on eBay on 8-10-06 for $29.80 plus $9.94 shipping. It included the original box, manual, leather case, and warranty cards. It was not known if it worked and it was noted that the film rewind button was missing. It is in good cosmetic condition. The 1.3 volt HM-N mercury battery (larger than a button battery) was heavily corroded. I cleaned out the battery compartment as best I could, but there remains some corrosion. I tried to get the meter working with a 1.5 volt LH-44 battery packed into the compartment with Aluminum foil, and also with a 1.5 volt AA battery with wires. Neither got the meter running. The shutter will also not fire. I wound the spring film advance/handle and loaded film. The shutter would still not fire. The spring film advance is now fully wound and will not do anything further. A cool camera (although a bit pricey) which will some day provide hours of fun trying to repair.
Canon Canonet QL 17, rangefinder focusing, 45mm f1.7 lens, aperture range f1.7 to f16, shutter speeds from 1 to 1/500, aperture shown in viewfinder, quick loading feature. This and the QL 19 purchased on E-bay July 2004 for $5.23 with $8 shipping. Good cosmetic condition except slight ding on top right rear. Unfortunately, shutter does not work and I have not been able to get meter to work. Includes case and lens cap. Canon Camera Museum states introduced in March 1965 together with its sibling the QL 19. Price in 1967 Leedar Photographic Catalog for similar Bell & Howell/Canon model apparently without quick loading feature was "under $120" (about $680 in 2004 dollars) with the ready case priced at $13.95 (about $80 in 2004 dollars).	Canon Canonet QL 19, rangefinder focusing, 45mm f1.9 lens, aperture range f1.9 to f16, shutter speeds from 1 to 1/500, aperture shown in viewfinder, quick loading feature. Good cosmetic condition. Unfortunately, like the QL 17, the shutter does not work and I have not been able to get meter to work. Also, there is some corrosion in the battery compartment. Comes with case, lens cap and reversible lens shade. Good discussion at www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/. Canon Camera Museum states introduced with the QL 17 in 1965. Price in 1967 Leedar Photographic Catalog was "under $114" (about $650 in 2004 dollars).
Canon Canonet 28 Rangefinder, rangefinder focusing, 40mm f2.8 lens, automatic exposure only, aperture range f2.8 to f16, shutter speeds stepless from 1/30 to 1/600, shutter speed shown in viewfinder (but not aperture). Purchased on E-bay July 2004 for $5, about $6 shipping. Excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition. Meter works. Seals need to be replaced. Good discussion at www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/. Canon Camera Museum states sold from 1971 to 1976. 1978-79 Sears Camera Catalog still has a Canonet 28 outfit with case and flash for $104.50.	Canon AF35ML, also known as Super Sure Shot (Americas) or Autoboy Super (Japan), this camera was introduced in July 1981. It has a fast 40mm, f1.9 lens, with a Canon made electronic shutter with speeds from 1/4 to 1/400. Autofocustriangulation system with ccd and foucs lock. Exposure is fully automatic (not TTL). It takes two 1.5 volt AA batteries. Purchased on August 7, 2004 at a neighborhood garage sale for $15 with a Poloroid Impulse and a lens cleaning kit. It appears to be in good condition, but I have not run film through it. This model shows the evolution away from manual focusrangefinder cameras to fully automatic, autofocus cameras by the 1980s. For more information see the Canon Camera Museum under Super Sure Shot. Made in Japan. Price in 1984-85 Sears Camera Catalog was $199.99, or about $400 in 2008 dollars.
Canon AF35M, (November 1979) the original Canon Sure Shot. According to the Canon Camera Museum: "This was the world's first Lens-Shutter 35mm autofocus camera at the time." Note, that the Konica C35 AF described below was the first production autofocus camera, however. Purchased at a garage sale for about $2.50 on 4-22-06. (This was actually priced at $1, but I bought 4 cameras and some typewriter ribbons for $10 total.) In good cosmetic and working condition except was quite dusty when I got it and the top cover was loose. I took off the top cover and shutter button and cannot get them back together firmly. It still works, however. The second Sure Shot was the Canon AF35ML above with a f1.8 lens and the third was the New Canon Sure Shot below. Made in Japan	(New) Canon Sure Shot, Canon Camera Museum states marketed April 1983 as an improved version of the original Sure Shot which came out in November 1979. The 1983 Sure Shot has a four element 38mm f2.8 lens. ISO from 25 to 400 set by switch at bottom of lens and seen in window on top of lens. Near infra-red triangulation system for autofocusing. Uses two AA batteries. Quick loading feature. Self timer. Tripod socket. Built in electronic flash turned on by switch on back. Made in Japan. Serial no. 1841883. In good working and cosmetic condition. Purchased for $2 at a garage sale on 1-14-06 in Fletcher Hills area of El Cajon, CA. I purchased a second one on 2-25-06 on eBay with four other cameras for a total of $4.95 with $9 shipping. It is also in good working and cosmetic condition except the battery cover latch is broken. The camera works, however, if you hold the battery door shut. Made in Japan. Price in 1984-85 Sears Camera Catalog was $149.99, or about $300 in 2008 dollars.
Canon Sure Shot Tele, Canon Camera Museum states it was marketed October 1986. Two focal lengths. 40mm f2.8 and 70mm f4.9. Not a zoom. Switching to the 70mm causes the lens assembly to project significantly forward. In addition to the built in (but not automatic) lens cap, it has a built in soft filter. Also, has a multiple exposure switch. Shutter speeds from 1/3 to 1/500 second. Has a +2 backlight button (sun icon). The most bizzare feature is the very well concealed battery compartment. I must have looked for 1/2 hour trying to find the battery compartment before looking on the Internet to find a picture of a replacement door. The battery compartment is on the right side and is accessed by removing two small Phillips screws - surprising for a point and shoot camera. It uses a 6 volt 2CR5 battery like the EOS 650. Using a battery from my EOS 650, the camera worked well. It is also in excellent cosmetic condition. Comes with Canon case. Made in Japan. Purchased on eBay with four other cameras for a total of $4.95 with $9 shipping.	Sure Shot Max Date, Canon Camera Museum states marketed September 1991. Similar in concept to the original Sure Shot over ten years earlier but with a fully retractable lens and date back, but slightly slower lens (f3.5 instead of f2.8). Uses one CR123 3 volt battery. Date back uses one CR2025 3 volt button battery. Purchased at a garage sale on 4-22-06 for about $2.50 with case. In excellent cosmetic and working condition including date back. Made in Taiwan.
Canon Snappy 50, (1982) according to the Canon Camera Museum marketed July 1982. It has a short and wide shape with the flash and viewfinder on the side. It has a Canon 35mm f3.5 lens. It has two manually set ASA (ISO) settings of 100 and 400. Apertures from f3.5 to 9.5. Shutter speeds from 1/20 to 1/500 second. Electronically controlled programmed shutter and aperture. Automatic film advance and rewind. Powered by two AA batteries. Flash is activated by pulling out the orange lever on the side. It is not automatically activated in low light. No tripod socket. Made in Taiwan. Two zone autofocus according to 1984-85 Sears Camera Catalog which sold it for $99.99, or about $200 in 2008 dollars. The fixed focus Snappy 20 was $79.99. My Snappy 50 was purchased at a San Carlos area of San Diego garage sale for $5 around February 2008. It is in excellent cosmetic and working condition.	Canon Snappy LX, (1992) fixed focus f4.5, 35mm focal length, three element lens. 3 shutter speeds: 1/45, 1/60 and 1/250 seconds. Built in electronic flash. According to the Canon Camera Museum it is the first fixed focus camera to have red eye reduction. The electronic self timer allows you to take two consecutive shots. A large bright viewfinder. Purchased at an estate sale in summer 2006 for about $2. It is in like new cosmetic and working condition with manual and a generic case.
Argus \| Canon \| Kodak \| Konica \| Mamiya \| Minolta \| Nikon \| Olympus \| Pentax \| Petri \| Ricoh \| Voigtlander \| Yashica \| Zeiss Ikon \| Other
Kodak
German Made Retina
Retina cameras were made in Stuttgart, Germany by Nagel Camerawerk which was acquired by the US film and camera giant, Kodak. The original Retina was the first camera to use standard 35mm cartridge film introduced by Kodak. The film is encased in a metal cartridge and can be loaded in daylight. It remains the most popular type of film to this day. While 35mm film existed prior to this, prior to the Retina each manufacturer had there own cartridge format. The early Retina cameras therefore represent an important piece of history. The Retina cameras were designed to be economical and compact, yet very high quality. They allowed fine German camera technology to be introduced to the masses since cameras like Leica rangefinders were too expensive for most including today. (That's why there are no Leica cameras in the museum yet. Donations are welcome!) The Retina series was quite successful and they still have an active following today commanding relatively high prices on eBay, although nothing like Leica cameras. Dozens of models or versions were made over the course of 4 decades and up until the recent predominance of digital photography, Kodak sold a lot of 35mm film. The various models and numbers sold are listed at Kodak Retina. (See also Wikipdia, "Kodak Retina and Kodak Classics.) Photoethnography has an extensive discussion of Reina cameras. She points out that model I cameras were viewfinder cameras, model II were rangefinder cameras and model III cameras where rangefinder cameras with light meters. The Nagel factory was seized by the Nazis during World War II, but Kodak regained control after the war.
Kodak Retina I, Type 119, (1936-1938) (Large Image) The original Retina was introduced in 1934 (Retina Type 117). There was also a type 118 followed by this version, type 119, the first to bear the name Retina I. My Retina I, Type 119 was purchased on eBay on 7-24-07 for $21.50 plus $15 shipping. It was shipped from England. It is in good working condition. The cosmetic condition is generally good, although there is considerable paint loss on the top. The seller stated: "I have tested this camera with several rolls of black and white film, and it gives excellent results. The uncoated Schneider lens is capable of creating stunning and detailed images in B&W." It has a Compur shutter and Schneder-Kreuznach Retina-Xenar 50mm f3.5 lens. Shutter speeds are T, B, 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/300 second. Close focus is 1 meter. You have to focus by estimating or measuring the distance. All in all a very cool camera and a nice piece of history.	Kodak Retina Ia, Type 015, (1951-1954) (Large Image Synchro-Compur shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/500 second plus Bulb. Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenar 50mm f2.8 lens. Viewfinder focusing. Accessory shoe. Winder lever instead of knob like the Retina I to the left. Close focus 1 meter. My 1953 Sears Camera Catalog does not have a Retina Ia, but does has a rangefinder Retina IIa at a price of $164.10, close to $1,300 in 2007 dollars. The Retina Ia is discussed at several sites including Kodak Classics, camerapedia.org, Matt's Classic Cameras, Classic Cameras, Photoethnograpy, Kodak Retina, Chris's Camera Pages, and marriottworld.com. My Retina Ia was purchased as one of seven cameras, lenses and accessories in the Hillcrest area of San Diego on 11-19-07 from an ad on Craigslist. It is in good operating condition. The lens is clear. It is dirty and had a large exposure chart taped to the back. All in all a cool post World War II Retina to complement my pre War Retina I to the left.
	Kodak Retina IIIc (Large Image, Kit) German coupled rangefinder sold from 1954 to 1958 with an original list price of $185 according to Kodak History. $185 in 1954 is equal to $1,490 in 2008 dollars. The price in the 1956 Sears Camera Catalog was $190. The list price in my 1957 brochure fell to $175. The Retina IIIc was similar to the prior IIc but the IIIc added a non-coupled Selinium light meter. The Kodak IIIC (Capital C) was added in 1959 which showed the frame-lines in the built in viewfinder for the accessory lenses. (See cameraquest.com.) The naming of this successor with the only name difference being a capital or lower case "c" is, of course, a bit confusing. The title in the 1957 brochure refers to the IIC and "IIIC" (not yet in existence) although inside the brochure is about, and refers to, the "IIIc." The IIIc accepted a 35mm wide angle lens element and a 80mm telephoto lens element. You would remove the 50mm element and replace it with either the 35mm or 80mm element. The fixed base of the lens and the shutter were the same for all three focal lengths. The 50mm lens is a Schneider Xenon f2. The 35mm lens is a 35mm Curtar f5.6 priced at $62.50 in the 1956 Sears Camera Catalog. The 80mm lens is a 80mm Longar f4 priced at $82.50 in the 1956 Sears Camera Catalog. A $17.50 optical viewfinder fit on the accessory shoe and switched between the viewing angle of the 35mm and 80mm lenses. The leather "Eveready" case was $13.50 in the 1956 Sears Camera Catalog. Total price for the camera, three lenses, accessory viewfinder and case was hence $366 in the 1956 Sears Camera Catalog or over $2,900 in 2008 dollars.
Mine comes with all those pieces. I also have a stereo adapter that fits on the 50mm lens. The stereo adapter on a camera is shown at the German site www.stereoskopie.com along with a brochure in German. From the illustrations it looks like you would have two slightly different images on one frame. If taken with slide film, the single slide with the two images could be viewed through a Kodak stereo viewer that sort of looks like a GAF Viewmaster Viewer. I also have the manual but the front and back covers are missing. I also have a Retina IIa manual and a 1957 brochure for the Retina IIc and the Retina IIIc. Finally, I have a "Befestigungsbugel zum 'Kodablitz'" which is a bracket to attach a Kodak flash. (Great name!) I purchased my setup on June 28, 2008 for $100 from a physician in the University City area of San Diego from an ad on Craigslist. The camera and lenses are in working condition. The camera is in decent cosmetic condition but shows significant wear on the top I believe from taking the accessory viewfinder on and off. The 50mm and 35mm lenses look clear with perhaps a slight coating problem on the edge of the 35mm lens which I do not think would affect photos. The 80mm lens has a hazy and wispy appearance in the middle element and the internal side of the back element indicating the presence of mold. The stereo attachment also looks slightly hazy.
Kodak Cameras Made in the United States
	Kodak Signet 35, U.S. rangefinder manufactured from 1951 to 1958. 44mm f3.5 lens, adjustable apertures and shutter speeds. In good condition except the rangefinder does not seem to work anymore. This camera belonged to my grandfather. Kodak History states the list price was $95, about $625 in 2004 dollars. The camera was sold from 1951 to 1958. There is an excellent discussion of it at David Photographic.
Argus \| Canon \| Kodak \| Konica \| Mamiya \| Minolta \| Nikon \| Olympus \| Pentax \| Petri \| Ricoh \| Voigtlander \| Yashica \| Zeiss Ikon \| Other
Konica
Large Image	Wards AM 550 aka Konica 35 Auto S (1962-1965) Wards branded Konica 35 Auto S, the first CdS automatic exposure 35mm camera. See Photoethnography. Shutter preferred automatic exposure. Light meter with high/low switch is the small circle on the front of the camera below the film advance lever. 47mm f1.9 lens. Shutter speeds from 1 second to 1/500 second. Uses 1.35 volt PX 625 mercury battery which is not longer available. The meter worked for me with a 1.5 volt PX625AB silver battery. I did not test the exposure with precision. The camera is in excellent cosmetic and working condition except the aperture becomes stuck. If set at a smaller aperture (e.g. f16), it will not change to a larger aperture (e.g. f2.8). If you remove the front lens element by twisting the round area of the lens with the name with a latex glove, you can see the shutter. Setting the camera to B you can leave the shutter open to reveal the aperture blades. If you lightly touch the blades, the blades will open up to a larger aperture setting. I cleaned the blades from the front with solvent as discussed at several sites. See photo-net and Favorite Classics. It worked somewhat when I had the solvent on, but after letting it dry overnight it still had the original problem. Of course, do this at your own risk and observe all precautions when using lighter fluid or other solvents which are flammable and poisonous. Another photo-net message refers to replacing the spring which opens up the aperture blades. Mick Feuerbacher Photography shows in detail the overhaul of the Auto S including complete removal of the rear lens group to clean the aperture blades from the front and the back. I purchased my camera on eBay on 8-5-06 for $9.99 with $7.60 shipping and $1.35 shipping insurance. It came with an ever-ready case, manual and original box.
	Konica C35 EF (circa 1974) (large image) the first 35mm camera with a built-in electronic flash according to a 1976 advertisement in Popular Science for sale on eBay. Date is from Konica C35 in Japanese. Mine is the first model. A later model with a self-timer switch on front is referred to as the new Konica C35 EF. 38mm f2.8 lens with shutter speeds of 1/60 and 1/125. See C35 EF (in Japanese). Zone focusing instead of rangefinder found on C35 A. Price in 1976-77 Sears Camera Catalog was $119, actually $5 more than a C35 A rangefinder with external electronic flash. $119 in 1976 is approximately equal to $425 in 2006 dollars. Disassembly is shown at Konica C35 EF (in Japanese). Mine was purchased on eBay on 8-4-06 for $5.99 plus $7.20 shipping and $1.35 shipping insurance. In good cosmetic condition. Shutter worked. Takes two AA batteries for flash. The batteries were left in and were badly corroded. It had a note on it saying batteries new 5-96. Apparently ten years is too long to leave them in! I scrapped away the corrosion and was eventually able to free the two AA batteries. Also, the button battery (originally a 1.3 volt mercury battery) for the meter was corroded. I cleaned that battery compartment up and put in a 1.5 volt LH-44 battery. Now meter and flash both work with the meter appearing to be reasonably accurate.
	Konica C35 AF, introduced in November 1977, this was the first production model autofocus camera as detailed in several sites. George Eastman House, David Photographic, Digicam History. It has a 38mm, f2.8 autofocus lens, elctronic flash and automatic exposure. This camera was a donation from an OLG alumnus who spoted this historically significant camera at a garage sale. Good eye!! While I have not shot film with it yet, with the addition of two new AA batteries, it appears to operate well and is in good cosmetic condition. It was expensive new; $189.50 in the 1978-79 Sears Camera Catalog, over $580 in 2006 dollars as measured from 1978.
	Konica MG, (1984) followed the release of the Konica MG/D in 1983 which was identical except it had a date imprint function. Auto loading, auto focusing, autorewinding and auto exposure. ISO set above the lens with a range of ISO 50 to 1000. Konica Hexanon 35mm f3.5 lens made in Japan. Uses two 1.5 volt AA batteries. Purchased at the annual Rolando area, south of University, neighborhood garage sale in San Diego on 8-4-07 for $2. The seller had purchased it aboard ship when he was overseas in the Navy. I have not gotten it fully working. It comes on, but the shutter and flash do not fire. There were corroded batteries in the battery compartment and I will work more on the terminials to see if I can get it working. It opens similar to the Olympus XA2 but is larger than that camera. The following Japanese site has further information: Konica MG and Konica MG/D.
Argus \| Canon \| Kodak \| Konica \| Mamiya \| Minolta \| Nikon \| Olympus \| Pentax \| Petri \| Ricoh \| Voigtlander \| Yashica \| Zeiss Ikon \| Other
Mamiya
Tower 41, circa 1962, sold by Sears, made by Mamiya. Similar to Mamiya Automatic 35 ELF and prior Tower 39 except faster lens and rangefinder focusing on the Tower 41. Mamiya-Tower Kominar 43mm, f2.8 lens. Rangefinder focusing. Unique flash bulb with clear plastic door next to lens. Lever on bottom to eject bulb. Also has accessory clip and flash plug. Apertures set by sliding scale on horizontal shelf below viewfinder. Range from f2.8 to 22 and auto. Aperture also visible in viewfinder. Next to the sliding aperture scale is a sliding scale to set ASA with a range of 10 to 200. Shutter set under lens, with setting visible in window on top of lens. Only 4 shutter settings: 250, B.L. (this does not appear to be a bulb setting), 60 and flash. Takes two AA batteries which fit into a large compartment on the left of the camera back. Film compartment opens by lifting up on the viewfinder frame with the door coming down. Solid, boxy, all-metal construction. Very cool! Large with dimensions of approximately 14cm x 8.5cm x 7cm (including lens projecting out). Has a light meter window but I can't seem to get the light meter working. Perhaps I am doing something wrong. While initially dusty, it is in excellent cosmetic and working condition except for the meter. Information on it at: Ron Herron's Collecting Mamiya 35mm.	Sears 10B (circa 1963) appears to be identical to the Mamiya 4B which Collecting Mamiya 35mm states was released in 1963. 40mm f2.8-22 Mamiya-Sekor lens. Shutter speeds from 1/4 second to 1/250 second. Rangefinder focusing. Non-coupled Selenium meter on top of the camera which reads in exposure value ("ev"). Between the shutter ring and the aperture ring on the lens is an exposure value ring. To find the correct exposure you adjust shutter speed and/or aperture until the number on the exposure value ring equals the exposure value shown on the meter. ASA (ISO) is set by lining up the button on the bottom of ev ring with correct ASA on bottom of shutter ring. Tripod socket. Accessory or flash shoe (not "hot") on top. Earlier and more sophisticated Tower 10A, which appears to be a 1959 Mamiya Ruby discussed at Collecting Mamiya 35mm, sold for $54.50 in the 1961 Sears Camera Catalog. I purchased my Sears 10B on eBay in June 2006 for $3.50 with a large plastic case, partial manual and a working Voigtlander 2800 flash. I picked it up in San Diego so there was no shipping charge. It is in good cosmetic and working condition including meter.
	Sears 18B (early 1960s) appears to be very similar to the f1.9 version of Mamiya Ruby which Collecting Mamiya 35mm states was released in May 1960. The f1.9 Ruby appears to be identical to a Tower 18A. Unlike the f1.9 Ruby (Tower 18A), the Tower 18B has a f2.0 lens and a slightly different film counter. (The Mamiya M3 also has an f2.0 lens, but the Tower 18B looks like a Ruby and not the M3). The Tower 18b has a 48mm Mamiya-Kominar lens. Shutter speeds are from 1 second to 1/500 second. Rangefinder focusing. Coupled Selenium meter. ASA from about 10 to 800. Tripod socket. Accessory or flash shoe (not "hot") on top. Similar Tower 18A sold in 1961 Sears Camera Catalog for $74.50, over $500 today adjusted for inflation. Good cosmetic conditon. Lens is scratch and mold free. The shutter, aperture and focus rings are all loose and do not work. I suspect someone took it apart. I purchased my Sears 18B on eBay on July 28, 2006 in a lot of 4 cameras and one meter for $10 plus about $20 shipping. This camera was described as not working.
Argus \| Canon \| Kodak \| Konica \| Mamiya \| Minolta \| Nikon \| Olympus \| Pentax \| Petri \| Ricoh \| Voigtlander \| Yashica \| Zeiss Ikon \| Other
Minolta
Minolta Hi-Matic 7s, Japanese rangefinder. Purchased on eBay on 10-23-05 for $8.45 plus $7.55 shipping. In good cosmetic condition, but unfortunately it has problems and hence not the best deal! The film advance works and the shutter button can be depressed. The shutter does not open, however. Also, it appears the screws to the focusing ring have been removed along with the distance scale. The focus works if you press the ring down very hard so that you can turn the barrel. Two screws are also missing on the top cover and the film advance knob was loose. All this suggests that someone has taken this camera apart before. The camera uses a mercury PX625 battery which is not longer made for environmental reasons. Mercury Battery Replacement suggests alternatives. The meter was active when I tried an S76 battery. I did not have to make any holder for it. The exposure suggested also seemed relatively accurate testing only one scene. First manufactured in 1966. (See Minolta viewfinder Cameras.) Automatic and manual exposure with f1.8 lens and shutter speeds from 1/4 to 1/500sec. Automatic exposure may be both shutter preferred and aperture preferred since it has A settings on both the aperture ring and shutter speed ring. Has hot shoe.	Minolta AL-F (1967). (Large Image) Rangefinder with 38mm f2.7 lens. Shutter preferred automatic exposure. F-stop selected by meter shown on right side of viewfinder. Shutter speeds of 1/30 to 1/500 second. Close focus of 2.6 feet. Automatic flash exposure by setting shutter to flash setting, setting guide number on the second lens ring, and then focusing. Camera sets aperture based on the focus distance. Hot shoe, flash cable socket and tripod socket. Sturdy metal construction. Originally took 1.3 volt mercury battery. Has in it a 1.5 volt PX625A Alkaline cell. Includes owner's manual and a Kako 818 working electronic flash. The AL-F is not in 1967 Leedar Catalog. A Minolta A5 with 45mm, f2.8 lens cost $55.95 in 1967, which equates to about $345 in 2007 dollars. Received as a birthday gift from my sister who purchased it on eBay around January 2007. Thanks!:) Also included three auxillary lenses which screw onto the filter ring. They fit this camera but I don't know if they were used with this camera. The camera is in very good cosmetic and working condition. Serial no. 796653. Made in Japan. I am in the process of trying it out with film. Several sites discuss: Manual Minolta, Eric Fiss Photography, Rainbow Hat - PDF Owner's Manual, Rangefinder (French), Alon Halutzy.
Minolta Hi-Matic E (1971) Other photos: large, front, back open, top. Japanese rangefinder with fully automatic exposure. 40mm f1.7 to f11 lens. Shutter speeds from 1/1000 second to 2 seconds. ISO range from 25 to 500 manually set on ring on camera lens. Hot shoe for flash with automatic and manual flash settings. Relatively small, but hefty, with dimensions of about 12cm x 8.3cm x 3cm with the lens projecting out another 3cm. Manual at Mode d'emploi du Minolta HI-MATIC E. Several sites discuss it: Minolta Hi-Matic Range Finder Cameras - 1962-1978, Wikipedia - Minolta Hi-Matic, Manual Minolta. Purchased on eBay on July 23, 2006 with 7 other cameras for $4 with $7.86 shipping. In excellent cosmetic and working condition. It takes two 1.4 volt 635 mercury batteries which are no longer made. I substituted two 1.5 volt LR44 batteries. These are considerably smaller than the 635 batteries so I wedged them in place with wads of aluminum foil as shown in this photo of the bottom. One site (which unfortunately I can't find again) recommended lowering the ISO by half when doing this. I therefore shot 200 ISO film with the camera set at 100. (See generally Replacement Batteries for Minolta Hi-Matic.) I changed the ISO to 200 on some. The commercial prints came out properly exposed at either setting indicating either is within the exposure latitude for prints. The focus was very sharp although you do have to take the time to focus carefully. A very solid, well made, camera capable of high quality images and a great deal to boot!	Minolta Hi-Matic FP (1972) similar to the Hi-Matic E but with a slower lens of f2.7. The Hi-Matic F is the chrome version. The Hi-Matic FP is identical but is all black. Takes two RM-640 mercury 1.4 volt mercury batteries or equilavent. I have orderd some similar 1.5 volt Alkaline batteries to try out. In good cosmetic condition. Comes with a Minolta Electroflash S which takes 4 AA batteries. Unfortunately I can't get it to work. There was some corrosion in the battery compartment of the flash. Also came with a leather gadget bag to hold everything. Purchased for $10 at a Rolando area (south of University) of San Diego garage sale on 8-4-07 during the neighborhood's annual sale.
Minolta Freedom Dual (circa 1987) purchased at a yard sale for $1 or $2 in early 2006. Autofocus. Dual normal and telephoto lenses. In appears to be in very good working and cosmetic condtion although I have not run film through it. Takes four AAA batteries. Battery compartment is clean. Came with strap and generic case. Made in Japan. Serial no. 35237285. Similar in design to the Weathermatic Dual 35 below without the waterproofing of the Weathermatic.	Minolta Weathermatic Dual 35, an autofocus, waterproof (to 15 feet) camera with dual normal and telephoto lenses. Rugged and simple to use, I purchased this camera new in 1989 for snorkeling in Hawaii. It is in good working condition. Photoxels desribes this model as "the world's first water and dust resistant dual focal point compact camera." Made in Japan.
	Minolta Freedom Zoom 115 Date, introduced 2001, this camera can still be found new in a few places as of December 2005. Prices were listed from $300 (base), $149 (list) and $38 (refurbished). Konica Minolta has extensive information about it. 3.1X zoom, 37.5 to 115mm, f5.4 to 10.9, 6 element lens. Multi-beam autofocus with over 1,200 focusing steps. Close focus about .6m. Shutter speeds 10 seconds to 1/390 second. Uses one 3 volt lithium battery. Manual from Konica Minolta. New product press release was on 2-9-01. Mine is in excellent cosmetic and working condition. Remarkably I purchased it for only $5 together with a case, three tripods, a 110 instamatic, a Minolta 16P subminiture, three boxes of 16mm slides and some other "stuff" at a garage/estate sale in the Fall of 2005. This camera is typical of compact 35mm zoom cameras sold in the 1990s to present. This market has been largely taken over by compact digital cameras, however. Konica and Minolta were both long time Japanese camera and office machine manufactures with a long history of quality cameras. They merged in January 2003. (See dpreview, Wikipedia.) Remarkably, according to Wikipedia Konica Minolta announced in January 2006 that they are getting out of the camera business! Sony will develop digital SLR cameras using the Minolta lens mount.
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Nikon
	Nikonos V Underwater Camera (Large Image) introduced about 1984, this is the last model of the famous zone focusing Nikonos series. According to Wikipedia, the first camera was based on a prototype developed by the famous French oceanographer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and a Belgium engineer and inventor, Jean de Wouters. Their "Calypso-Phot" was subsequently licensed to Nikon. Cousteau also co-developed the "Aqua-Lung," the first SCUBA (self contained underwater breathing apparatus) diving system, in 1943. I remember as a child Cousteau had a series of underwater television specials on the ABC network. He was noted for his commitment to protecting the ocean environment. All of the Nikonos cameras were rugged, relatively compact, and submersible to 50m or 150 feet, well within the limits of most recreational SCUBA divers. The Nikonos V has aperture preferred automatic and manual metering, and TTL flash metering. Price in the Summer of 2007 for the body only is $299.95 at B & H Photo. Mine has the 80mm f4 lens which is described at photo.net as the least used of the several lenses made for the camera. In underwater photography wide angle lenses are favored because they allow you to get closer to the subject and hence the light passes through less water. One of the 35mm lenses and the 80mm lens are made to be used on land also. The other Nikonos lenses are specifically designed to be used underwater only, and are considered to be exceptionally sharp. The Nikonos is no longer made but is still available. Some third party manufacturers also made lenses for the Nikonos. Nikon and others also make underwater flashes which can be used for the Nikonos. Flash photography is essential underwater except near the surface because with depth most colors are quickly absorbed. I purchased my Nikonos V at a garage sale advertised on Craig's List on 7-8-07 for roughly $90. (I bought it, 4 Canon FD lenses, 3 vintage Honeywell electronic studio strobes, 4 studio umbrellas, a flash meter and various other things for a total of $225. The seller and her late father were photographers. Most of the equipment had belonged to the dad.) The camera and lens look to be in near new condition. The shutter works but I have not yet tested the camera fully. I'm not sure if I will use it much since the trend is towards digital and to get a 28mm or wider lens would be costly (about $300 or more at B&H Photo).
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Olympus
Olympus 35-S (1957) There were multiple Olympus 35-S models. This model with an f2.8 lens was released in 1957 according to Olympus History. My camera has a Tower designation on the top indicating it was made for Sears. The focal length is 48mm (acutally designated as 4.8cm). Shutter speeds on lens ring range from 1/500 second to 1 second with bulb. Apertures from f2.8 to f22. Close focus is 2.7 feet. Rangefinder focusing. In between the aperture ring and shutter speed ring is an exposure value (EV) ring showing the EV for the selected shutter speed and aperture. There is no light meter but there is a dial on the back with different scenes and sunny, cloudy, etc. icons to select an appropriate EV or "light value." Mine was purchased on eBay on 6-25-06 for $10.50 with $5.65 shipping and $1.35 shipping insurance. It is in good cosmetic and operating condition except the shutter is quite slow to close. Excellent information at several sites: Olypedia (in German), Olympus Site - History, Daniel Mitchell - Disassembly, Olympus History, photo.net (includes discussion of using solvent to free slow shutter or stuck aperture).	Olympus 35-2, (Large Image) same as model to the left, but this one has a 42mm (4.2cm) focal length lens with a fast maximum aperture of f1.8. Everything seems to work well. Rangefinder is bright. No problems with leaking batteries or a broken exposure meter since there are none! I like this one a lot. Simple, no nonsense, great quality, and timeless. Just like me it is still capable of taking great photos at 50 years old! Purchased at a Fletcher Hills (El Cajon, CA) garage sale on 11-17-07 for $10 with case. (Bottom edge of top part of case where it connects to bottom broke off. I have the piece.)
Olympus XA 2, classic camera sold from 1980 to 1986, 35mm f3.5 lens, 3 zone focusing, ASA 25-800, electronic shutter 10 seconds to 1/750 second. Fully automatic exposure. It follows the more sophisticated XA with rangefinder focusing and an f2.8 lens. It has a large following and is discussed at several sites. E.g. XA2 and Photoethnography. My XA 2 was purchased at a garage sale in Kihei on the island of Maui in Hawaii on August 7, 2005 for $5. It's a little dirty but with the addition of two new LH44 batteries the shutter fires and it appears to work. The lens appears clear. The seals need to be replaced. I purchased a second working XA2 for $5 at an estate sale in the Mt. Helix area of San Diego on 6-28-08. The cosmetic condition is good except for a large spot on the camera back below the rewind knob with no paint. The spot looks to be caused by resting one's thumb there while taking a photo and an indication of a well used, although well cared for, camera. It comes with an A11 flash in good cosmetic and working condition. The flash, which takes a 1.5 volt AA battery, turns on using a switch on the camera just below the ASA setting under the lens.	Olympus XA, (Large Image) the first of the XA series, this little rangefinder sold from 1975 to 1985. 35mm f2.8 lens, ASA 25-800, electronic shutter 10 seconds to 1/500 second. Excellent discussion at Photoethnography. I have two, both with issues. The first I purchased for $30 in Encinitas, CA on 9-23-07 from an ad on Craiglist. The shutter fires and the aperture works. The meter operates but is significantly off, beyond the ability to compensate for the inaccuracies by adjusting the ISO. That's a problem since it's a totally automatic exposure camera. It came with two flashes, the A11 and the "Quick Flash A1L," which curiously has no battery chamber. (With flash and closed "clamshell" lens cover.)The second was purchased at a garage sale in the Mission Hills area of San Diego in early October 2007 for $2. It powers on and the meter works accurately, although the shutter doesn't fire. It is also missing the take up spool in the film chamber. It came with another A11 Electronic Flash. While a cool camera and very collectible, I prefer a more traditional rangefinder design and a manual override.
Olympus 35 RC, (Large Image) 42mm, f2.8 rangefinder with automatic shutter perferred exposure. Shutter speeds from 1/15 to 1/500. Apertures and shutter speeds shown in viewfinder. Shutter speed dial on top with aperture ring around base of lens. ISO from 25 to 800 set with small ring surrounding front of lens. Originally used 1.3 volt PX-13 mercury battery. I replaced it with a 1.5 volt PX625A alkaline battery. Price in 1976-77 Sears Catalog was $124, dropping to $119.50 in the 1977-78 catalog. Purchased at a Fletcher Hills (El Cajon, CA) garage sale on 3-31-07 for $6. In good cosmetic and working condition except the rangefinder focusing is difficult to see although in the right light it still works. Serial no. 353678. Made in Japan. Sears Catalog gives meaurements as 4.5" x 2.75" x 2.25" and weight as 18 oz. CameraQuest gushes over it describing it as perhaps the "Smallest 35 Rangefinder ever with AE Exposure and Manual Override ?" It gives it a date of 1970. It was therefore sold throughout at least most of the 1970s. Andrew Yue, a Research Scientist Associate at the University of Texas at Austin Physics Department, has a very detailed page about it calling it "the essence of 35mm photography in a small package." D. Scott Young also has an extensive discussion.	Olympus Infinity Jr, (circa 1987) compact 35mm autofocus camera with 35mm, f3.5 lens. Built in flash with settings on slide switch below lens of auto, off and fill in. Has clamshell lens cover design like the XA and XA 2. Takes two 1.5 volt AAA batteries or one CR or DL 123A battery. Auto film advance and self timer. Date from Captain Kodak at Flicker.com. Called Infinity Jr in USA, but called AF-10 elsewhere in the world. (Olympus Camera History.) Focus range .7m to infinity and flash range 4.5m with 100-ASA film and 9m with 400-ASA film according to Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors which also explains how to modify the Infinity Jr to capture animal images with the shutter being automatically tripped when the animal passes. (See also Assorted Circuits for Home-Made Trail Cameras.) I could not find information on the shutter speeds. Mine was purchased at a garage sale in La Mesa, CA on 5-12-07 for 10 cents! It is in good cosmetic and operating condition.
Olympus Stylus Epic, a very compact camera with a 35mm f2.8 lens, multizone autofocus, purchased new for about $100 with date function and leather case in 1999. See Popular Photography April 2003 Review for detailed information on the Stylus Epic. Olympus Camera History states the Stylus Epic, known outside the U.S. as the Mju II, was first produced in 1996, replacing the Mju I introduced in 1991. The 35mm autofocus point and shoot cameras eventually took over the market for 126, 110 and disc cameras. This shows the versatility of 35mm cameras from simple point and shoot cameras to professional qualitiy single lens reflex cameras.	Olympus Stylus 105 still sold at Amazon.com for $89.95. Amazon also has a link to the manual. All weather design. Lens: 38-105mm, f5.6 to 11.9, 8 elements in 7 groups. Shutter programed electronic - specifications do not give speeds. Autofocus. Close focus 2 feet. Uses one 3 volt lithium battery, CR123A. In good working condition. Cosmetic condition is satisfactory with many small scrapes on body. Lens and viewfinder are clean and scratch free. Viewfinder has diopter adjustment. Purchased at a La Mesa, CA garage sale in July 2006 for about $1. Wide range zoom lens 35mm compact cameras like this were very popular prior to digital cameras predominating. A major drawback of these cameras, however, is the relatively small maximum lens opening of f5.6. While I am not sure, I think the f11.9 specification is the maximum opening at 105mm. This makes bright light or high ISO film necessary. In constrast the single focal length f2.8 Stylus Epic has a maximum aperture two stops greater than the Stylus 105. Other views: large, top, back, lens extended.
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Pentax
	Pentax EZY-R, (1999) Description and reviews still available at epinions.com. 38-70 mm zoom lens with f4.8-8.5 aperture. Purchased at a garage sale on 4-22-06 for about $2.50 with case and manual. Unfortunately, I can't get it to work. When I insert a CR123 battery the lens cover starts to open, but then the motor for the rewind just spins. This happens even if I put a roll of film in. In good cosmetic condition. Made in China.
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Petri
	Petri 7s, Japanese rangefinder. Photoethnography has a good discussion. Manufactured from 1963 to 1977. Original price $59.50. Selenium meter encircles lens with the read-out on the top. Shutter speeds from 1/500 to 1 second and bulb. 52mm skylight filter is stuck on. 45mm f1.8 lens. Completely manual. Accessory clip on top. Purchased on 10-6-05 on ebay for $7.53 with $4.55 shipping. In very good working and cosmetic condition although I have not tried it with film. Comes with black leather like Petri case in good condition.
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Ricoh
	Ricoh AF-2, (1981) date from Amateur Photographer test report date. This is consistent with manual that came with the camera that has a code of 1181-2 which I presume is for 1981. Manual is also available on-line at butkus.org. AF-2 at Japanese sites Ricoh, Plastic Camera Paradise and Rangefinder. Similar AF-2D at Japanese site minolook. Autofocus 38mm, f2.8, 4 element lens. Accepts 46mm filters. Close focus 1m. ISO manually set from ISO 25 to 800. Self timer. Pop up flash. Shutter automatically set from 1/8 to 1/500 second. Tripod socket. Auto film loading and auto winding. Uses two AA batteries. Approximately 13.5 cm x 8cm x 5.5 cm. Made in Japan. Purchased at a garage sale on 4-22-06 for about $2.50 with case, manual, lens cap and brochure. In excellent operating and cosmetic condition. Serial No. 65332929.
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Voigtlander
	Voigtlander Vitessa A (Version 4) (Large Image) (1950-1954) German 35mm rangefinder with Voigtlander Ultron 50mm f2 lens and Compur Rapid shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/500 seconds. There is no light meter. Voigtlander Vitessa goes through the four different models and 18 model versions of the Vitessa in the ten years they were made from 1950 to 1960. The first model, Model A, was made from 1950-1954. My is version 4 of Model A, with a removable accessory shoe that slides over the top where the rangefinder window is. The name is under that accessory shoe. Voigtlander Vitessa calls it "an extraordinary rangefinder." Camera Quest calls the Vitessa L model with light meter "the most beautifully made, most elegant, and most innovative 1950's 35mm folder. The fit and finish is exquisite, approaching Leica M3 standards." The manual is available at www.butkus.org. I needed to look at it to close the camera. (There are two red pressure points on the shutter cover which you press down simultaneously.) Price in a 1952 ad on eBay was $159.50, over $1,250 in 2007 dollars! Rangefinder repair/adjustment is difficult according to photo.net and links there. It is a unique camera in several ways. Press the large plunger on top and the film is advanced. The back, bottom and part of the front are one piece that comes off by lifting and turing the lever on the bottom to reveal the film chamber. The focus is a rotating knob on the top of the back of the camera. The distance indicator and depth of field scale is on the top just above the focus knob. Shutter speed and aperture controls are rings on the lens. Purchased at a garage sale in the San Carlos area of San Diego three blocks from my house for $10 on 11-17-07. In good working and cosmetic condition. Some left over adhesive from a label on the top. A very cool camera!
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Yashica
	Yashica Electro 35 GSN (Large Image) (1973-1980) 35mm rangefinder with Color-Yashinon DX 45mm f1.7 lens. Camera made in Hong Kong. Lens made in Japan. Aperture preferred automatic exposure with stepless shutter speeds from 1/500 to 30 seconds. Originally used a 5.6 volt PX 32 mercury battery. I substituted a 6 volt PX28A (4LH44) as recommended in photoethnography.com and Matt Denton Photo. That battery is smaller so I filled the gap with aluminum foil. Meter works and appears to be right on using the Sunny 16 rule. Matt Denton shows the internal construction of the camera also. Yashica-guy also has great information including internal photos. Generally, people say the lens is very high quality. It seems to work well. I'm looking forward to trying it out with film. Purchased at a garage sale in the San Carlos area (on Golfcrest) of San Diego on 9-8-07 for about $25. (Purchased this and a Pentax ME Super for $55).
Yashica AF-J (circa 1987) autofocus, fixed focal length of 32mm, f3.5. Serial No. 5032199. Assembled in Hong Kong. In good cosmetic and working condition. Purchased at an estate sale on 5-20-06 in the Fletcher Hills area of El Cajon, CA for about $5. Initially it was not working but I rubbed contacts in battery compartment with an eraser and then it worked. Perhaps some slight corrosion on one of the battery contacts.	Yashica T4 Super (circa 2000?) (Large Image) A popular and highly sought after compact Japanese autofocus 35mm camera due it its sharp Carl Zeiss Tessar T* f3.5/35mm single focal length lens and compact, rugged weather-proof design. Backpacker Magazine in August 2001 stated: "This slender camera lets you take professional-quality pictures without lugging heavy photo gear." Photo.net indicates that thousands of pros carried a T4 Super (or prior T4 without super scope and weather proofing) as a compact backup camera. Photo.net also indicates the T4 was top rated by Consumer Reports with quality meeting or exceeding cameras costing hundreds of dollars more. Film speed from ISO 50 to 3200. Shutter speeds from 1 to 1/700 second. Price when new was about $160. Has a unique "super scope" viewfinder on top of the camera for framing looking down. Great for low or quick shots when you can't put the regular viewfinder up to your eye. The super scope basically gives you mini twin lens reflex viewing. My T4 Super is in good cosmetic and working condition. Purchased at garage sale on my street on 5-19-07 for about $1 - a super deal! Takes one 3 volt CR123A Lithium battery. Serial No. 293298.
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Zeiss Ikon
Large, Top, Closed, Case, 1953 Sears Catalog Page	Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 (circa 1953-1955) According to cameraquest this folding 35mm rangefinder was made from 1950 to 1955, with two versions - the first from 1950 to 1953 with a Compur Rapid shutter and the second (mine) from 1953 to 1955 with a Compur Synchro shutter. Made in Stuttgart, Germany. Zeiss -Opton Tessar 45mm f2.8-22 lens. Compur Synchro shutter 1/500 to 1 second and bulb. Coupled rangefinder focusing. Close focus less than 3 feet. Flash contact with settings for flash bulb and electronic flash. Selenium, non-coupled, metering system. The metering door stays shut for bright light. You open it for dim light. There are two scales and a match needle on the top. Price in Fall 1953 Sears Camera Catalog was $214, equal to an astonishing $1,736 in 2008 dollars! The case was an additional $12. A similar Retina IIa with a faster f2 lens was only $164.10 and a Tower 35 Type 3 Japanese rangefinder, similar to a Leica, with 50mm, f2 Nikkor lens was only $175. Purchased on June 15, 2008 at an estate sale in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego for $45. (Listed at $120, although the tag looked like $20. It was the last day of a three day sale so everything was half price. I thought I could get it for $10. We finally negotiated to $45.) The same day one sold on eBay for $165 (14 day return policy) and another for $57.50 (meter not working correctly).
Excellent working and cosmetic condition. There is some tiny corrosion between the light meter and flash shoe. (The red coloring above the viewing window I believe is from the red felt of the inside of the case. It came right off.) Everything seems to work well including the meter. I am testing it with film now. The case is in good condition except some stitching is coming apart and the strap is broke near where it attaches to the camera. While it has a socket for a cable shutter release, it curiously does not have a tripod socket. The lens cover folds down, however, providing a stable platform to set the camera on a table or other flat surface. The manual is available in jpg format at R & R Photo and in pdf format at butkus.org. It is a relatively complicated process to use the camera compared to a modern camera. You must advance the film with the winder knob at the bottom. You must also cock the shutter. The shutter will not release until you do these two steps. The shutter release is locked unless there is film in the camera. (You can force the shutter to release without film, however, by pressing a small lever on the bottom of the lens.) The light meter dial, with very small print, shows applicable aperture and shutter speed combinations. You set the aperture using the innermost ring on the lens and the shutter speed using the next ring on the lens. You focus using the outtermost ring and the rangefinder image in the viewfinder. All of the rings and the numbers seem quite small compared with a 35mm single lens reflex camera or a rangefinder from the 60s or 70s. When loading film, you must reset the film counter by rotating a button on the bottom. It is all pretty straight forward, but definately slows you down - which can be a good thing! All in all, a beautiful camera capable of taking beautiful photos. A wonderful find!
	Zeiss Ikon Contina II (circa 1956), made in Stuttgart, Germany, Novicar-Anastigmat 45mm f2.8-22 lens, Prontor-SVS shutter 1/300 top shutter speed, focusing by estimation 3 feet to infinity. Flash contact with settings for flash bulb and electronic flash (self timer on same button). It has a unique selenium metering system. A door opens on front to activate it, with a match needle on top to find the exposure value (EV). You push a button on the f stop ring to set the EV. When that button is released, combinations of f stops and shutter speeds for that EV are fixed. For example, you can change the aperture and the shutter speed will still be correct for the set exposure value. Price in 1957 Sears Camera Catalog was $75 ($520 in 2005 dollars) with $9 for the case. Purchased on August 13, 2005 at a La Mesa, CA garage sale for $20 with case, instruction booklet (see sample pages), Honeywell flash, and shutter release cable. It is in very good working and cosmetic condition with film still in it. The seller, a retired middle school math teacher, was the original owner who received it as a gift in the 1950s. I also bought math books from him. Additional views: Large, Front, Top, Back. Several sites discuss this camera generally finding it to have a sharp lens capable of excellent results. See, e.g., photoethnography.com, Camera Works, and Zeiss Contina.
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Other
	Bolsey B2, (1949-1956) U.S. rangefinder with viewing window and separate rangefinder window. Wollensak 44mm f3.2 to 22 lens. Bosley syncromatic shutter with speeds of 1/10 to 1/200 seconds. Double image prevention by lifting slightly on wind knob. Purchased at a Fletcher Hills (El Cajon, CA) garage sale on 3-24-07 for $3 with leather ever-ready case, flash, several bulbs, instruction booklet and vinyl case. Serial no. 302391. In very good working and cosmetic condition with some chrome loss. Price in 1953-54 Sears Camera Catalog was $73.50, or $560 in 2007 dollars, about the price of a 6.1 megapixel digital SLR in 2007. The B22 pictured in the catalog is the same as the B2 except for a flash exposure system automatically setting the aperture based on the rangefinder distance. Notice from the catalog the unique Bolsey C 35mm twin lens reflex. Twin Lens reflex focusing was typically only used with medium format cameras. A similar Bolsey B2 sold on eBay on 3-25-07 for $51 without manual or flash. Excellent information at several sites including: Photoethonography, butkus.org (full manual), pbase.com, The Living Image, camerapedia, photo.net, Boley Model B2, shutter repair. There was a US Air Force model which this might be since the owner who died 20 years ago or so was in the US Air Force. There was also a US Army model with green in place of the black covering and black paint instead of the chrome. Photos: Large, Top, Back, Back Open, Case, Flash, Manual Photo.
Ikelite Auto35 Camera and Housing, a very simple, fixed focus, fixed exposure, camera with a 28mm glass lens inside a waterproof housing. The system is designed to be used for scuba diving. It comes with a electronic strobe which mounts on the arm shown in the photo. The electronic flash on the camera sets off the strobe so that cords are not needed. It is in good working condition and is capable of excellent results. Purchased new in 2000.	Samsung Maxima Zoom 130 GLM, autofocus 35mm with 38-130mm, f4.2 to f11.7 Samsung Aspherical Lens. (With Lens Extended.) Quartz Date Back. Made in China by Korean Company. Serial no. 90604451. Except for silver instead of gold color, it appears to be largely identical to the Maxima Zoom 130GLQD Date advertised at amazon.com. That camera as of March 2007 sells for $129 and had an original list price of $189.99. Shutter speeds from 1/3 to 1/400 second. 40 zone active infrared autofocus with focus lock. 5.29 x 2.95 x 2.2 inches. 11.5 ounces. Uses 1 CR123A 3 volt battery which fits in the right (as viewed from the back) side. Includes portrait and continuous shooting modes. Automatic flash with red eye reduction. Diopter adjustment on eyepiece. First available at Amazon on 9-4-99. Typical of long zoom compact cameras of the 1990s it has a very small aperture at the maximum zoom. I purchased mine at a Fletcher Hills (El Cajon, CA) garage sale on 3-11-07 for $1. It appears to be in very good cosmetic and working condition with a fresh battery included. Shutterbug has a pdf article and chart on compact autofocus cameras from 2003. As can be seen this was a popular category of camera. I assume few are sold today, however, with the digital camera revolution.
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