Something unique with classic analog cameras

Something unique with classic analog cameras is that they not only take AMAZING photographs to this day, but also can be the subject of amazing photos.

Something happened with modern digital cameras wherein they all blend in and look the same (think every Nikon/Canon/Sony DSLR and mirroless).

There are exceptions of course - the Nikon DF/Zf, M body Leicas (especially the Leica M-D/m10-d), and the new Pixii cameras are all beautiful cameras. Beauty of course is subjective, but they standout compared to DSLRs and Modern mirroless.

Even "newer" film cameras in the 80s and 90s (Nikon F4 through F6 as an example) blends in with the crowd.

I get the argument that these are tools to create photographs, and how they look doesn't matter. However, I think of it like cars. Their main function is to take us from point a to point b, but if aesthetics doesn't matter, we will all be driving a Corolla or a Civic.



The new Pentax and the upcoming Mint/Rollei 35 AF actually looks decent and breaks the mold!



Here is by far my favorite classic camera - my 1957 Nikon SP. It's the camera I use the most, and also the camera I take photos of the most


At home in Los Angeles , CA


By Big Bear Lake, CA


Aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.

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...in matters of grave importance, style not sincerity is the vital thing - Oscar Wilde

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Gary
https://www.flickr.com/photos/193735606@N03/

Kodak Ektra 35mm camera.





Don

Camera porn

D Cox said:

Kodak Ektra 35mm camera.

Don

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Is that yours? Does it work ? (I know they have a reputation for being fantastically advanced and fantastically unreliable)

It was mine, a good while ago. Mine worked fine, but the shutter is said to be unreliable.

I would have to go through my neg files to find examples, but really the photos look technically much like any others from the mid 20th century or the 1970s.

I had three lenses.

Don

Yes. Medium format alone had several distinct platforms. Even 35mm if you include SLR, RF, folding cameras.

In the early days of digital there was a good amount of variation functionally and aesthetically as cameras makers were freer to experiment and figuring out how digital would work. Nikon Coolpix 990/995 and other swivel cameras. The Sony, Minolta, Konica what I would call beer can with a turret cameras and so on.

Even when every 35mm SLR was quite similar, you could easily tell a Canon lens from a Nikon lens, Minolta, Olympus, Konica, etc.

Today, the cameras and lenses share components that mandate the outer shape and the fascia is common, also.

FILM Cameras.

You have never, ever in your life gone into a Camera store and bought a camera labelled "Analog".

grsnovi said:

--
Gary
https://www.flickr.com/photos/193735606@N03/

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There is something sexy about cameras with bellows I cannot explain

--
...in matters of grave importance, style not sincerity is the vital thing - Oscar Wilde

D Cox said:

Kodak Ektra 35mm camera.

Don

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Beautiful!! Looks so clean aesthetically!

--
...in matters of grave importance, style not sincerity is the vital thing - Oscar Wilde

lmans100 said:

Camera porn

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I would argue that this is the BEST type of porn. Safe for work too!

Is what I meant to say...

I don't think there is a single "analog" camera in this photo...



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Gary

Indeed a very beautiful camera. But its pictures are at least as nice, so whatever you used to take those pictures, has to be a fantastic camera as well .

Btw, there are few digital cameras, which are very close (with their appearance) to the nicest film cameras. I consider as such: Pentax KP (which I own), Olympus Pen F and Nikon Zf.

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Regards,
Peter

There sure is....

Totally agree!

Rangitoto2025 said:

Totally agree!

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LouMeluso said:

There sure is....

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Very nice collection!! I recognize all except the first one. Which camera is that? Looks very clean!!!

I am also a proud owner a a Nikon F with FTN finder. It's a joy to use!







--
...in matters of grave importance, style not sincerity is the vital thing - Oscar Wilde

Gesture said:

Yes. Medium format alone had several distinct platforms. Even 35mm if you include SLR, RF, folding cameras.

In the early days of digital there was a good amount of variation functionally and aesthetically as cameras makers were freer to experiment and figuring out how digital would work. Nikon Coolpix 990/995 and other swivel cameras. The Sony, Minolta, Konica what I would call beer can with a turret cameras and so on.

Click to expand...

I remember those swivel cameras!! Thought they were really cool!

Gesture said:

Even when every 35mm SLR was quite similar, you could easily tell a Canon lens from a Nikon lens, Minolta, Olympus, Konica, etc.

Today, the cameras and lenses share components that mandate the outer shape and the fascia is common, also.

Click to expand...

My Coolpix 995 still works. One of the best cameras Nikon ever brought out.