Too close for missiles; switching to guns….
The Konica, or Konica I (also known as the Konica Standard or just Konica) is the first in a series of rangefinders that come at the beginning of a company that would go on to produce quality cameras for generations. As a mechanical 35mm film camera, the Konica I is a fine example of the … Read more
The history of the Futura camera line starts during the second World War with Optische Anstalt, an optics factory that produced equipment for the German Military. Unfortunately the factory was destroyed during the war, so after the war ended the founder Fritz Kuhnert built a new factory and by 1947 was producing the Efka 24. … Read more
The Canon F-1 was the camera that led Canon into the professional market with a system of interchangeable lenses and accessories making it one of the best made and most versatile camera systems on the market. Unlike many cameras, the F-1 is not a derivative of another model, it was designed from the ground up … Read more
The Canon VT de luxe is a 35mm rangefinder was introduced in May of 1957 as an update to the VT which was released the previous year. The VT de luxe was produced in chrome and black, but the black ones are few and far between these days, and command a hefty price (comparatively). Lately … Read more
At this point in 1978, Canon has been making cameras for 45 years when they released the the Kwanon (pronounced kannon), named after the Buddhist bodhisattva of mercy of the same name. With the AE-1 having been introduced just two years earlier Canon was setting their sights on users that didn’t need full manual control … Read more
There are a lot of cameras out there, too many at this point, but there are few cameras that have the same notoriety as the Canon AE-1. History Released in 1976, the Canon AE-1 was the first camera produced that was controlled entirely by electronics. Canon also made use of new mass production techniques and … Read more
As far as affordable Leica copies go, you have two choices; Fed and Zorki. Both FED and KMZ were making cameras in the same factory after the war and after the split, KMZ continued to make rangefinders and the Zorki 35mm Rangefinder was born. History Krasnogorsk Mechanical Works or KMZ – was founded as Krasnogorsk … Read more
Introduced in December of 1980, the Mamiya ZE-2 Quartz is definitely a child of the 80s. There’s lots of plastic and cheap material where the leather covering should be. Mamiya has a storied past and a well deserved reputation for building high quality cameras with amazingly sharp optics. Adding that reputation Mamiya seemed to be … Read more
The Mamiya ZM Quartz is a 35mm film camera produced in 1982 and has the distinction of being the last 35mm film camera that Mamiya made. Being part of the Z Series cameras, the ZM can use E and EF series lenses as well as a few lenses designed specifically for the ZM. Design At … Read more
It seems like everyone at one time or another has been in the 35mm business, even Hasselblad had the X-Pan. There are several Mamiya 35mm film cameras, which is no surprise. The NC, with the 1000 and 1000s is one of the most recent lines. The NC 1000 is well built with a lot of … Read more
The Olympus OM10 was the first consumer end camera of the OM series released in 1979. With many of the same design elements and features of their flagship OM-1, the OM10 is a solid performer with a lower price-point designed to get the attention of entry-level photographers. History Olympus is a Japanese company making cameras … Read more
The Pax M4, a compact 35mm film camera that’s the perfect size to toss in your bag and take everywhere. The M4 is the next iteration of the Pax M3 and there aren’t that many differences. Adding a frosted center panel to the rangefinder makes the M4 bright-line viewfinder bright and clear. There are subtle … Read more
The F3 was Nikon’s third professional film camera and would remain a top-of-line body in the family until it was discontinued in 2000. Even though there were newer cameras with more advanced features like the F4 and F5, Nikon continued to produce the F3. There are several models of the F3, each with their own … Read more
Built by the Haking company in Hong Kong, the Halina 35X is a stout little rangefinder 35mm film camera and released in 1959. It’s smooth design and compact size make the Halina 35X an attractive film camera. History and details Founded in 1956, the W. Haking Enterprises Ltd. made film cameras and binoculars, but also … Read more
The Bolsey Model C is a curious little 35mm film camera with its TLR design and cast aluminum body. The design of the camera is unique and eye catching, one of very few 35mm film cameras that boasts a twin lens reflex system, waist level finder and, just to make it even more unique, a … Read more