Way too many cameras is the answer.

(Disclaimer:  This post is incredibly long with bunches of camera stories.  If you like to read about how people collect cameras and their quirky camera stories, you may enjoy this post.)

My wife tells me I should stop collecting cameras for a while because the cameras, camera bags, and accessories are taking over the house.  She’s absolutely right (thanks honey).

But that doesn’t mean I won’t keep on using film cameras, testing them, and writing about cameras.  It’s a hobby, but it’s fun.  Most of my cameras were purchased for $10-$15 dollars.  There are a few expensive ones, but not too many.

So here’s a growing list of the cameras that I own.  Two categories:  untested and tested cameras.  These will be short descriptions, perhaps you’ll enjoy them.  (It’s also my way of keeping track of my untested and tested cameras on this blog.)

Untested 35mm Film Cameras

Canon 120 ED, 120 Film, Sunnyside Garage Sale, 2010

This camera breaks my 35mm rule.  It actually uses 120 film and the camera is in good shape.  It was purchased near Sunnyside and Central Avenue on Chicago’s northwest side in the summer of 2010.  This cost a whopping five dollars.

It’s probably wondering if I will ever use it.  I will.

Canon 650, Village Discount, Spring 2011

This camera was purchased along with a Praktica camera for I believe $25.  In my defense I would say that I wasn’t sure if either the Canon 650 or the Praktica would work.  I’ve come to learn that the Canon 650 was a fine camera in its day, although heavy as a brick.  It has a zoom lens on it and I look forward to testing it.

Canon AE-1, Borneo Africa Peoria, Tom’s Gift, April 2011

As you can see from my titles, I’m using some shorthand for these cameras.

I paid $70 for this Canon AE-1, a 55mm lens, and a zoom lens.  It also came with a nice camera bag.  It was purchased in a neighborhood named The Villa on Chicago’s northside.  I’ve purchased some very nice cameras in The Villa over the past two years.

I didn’t need a Canon AE-1 but I fell in love with this camera’s “story”.  I already had a Canon AE-1 from my friend Paul (he passed away 10 years ago).  But the nice lady and veterinarian who had the camera said the camera had been to Borneo, Africa, and Peoria, Illinois.  A strange itinerary for a camera.

Why Borneo and Africa I asked?  She said she was studying primates in those two regions and used her Canon AE-1 to take photos.  Why Peoria, Illinois?  She was just passing through and took photos.

I know, I like my stories.  What made this camera a must buy is that my great friend Tom came strolling by during the neighborhood garage sale.  He saw me bargaining for the camera and insisted in tossing in $40 for the camera as a gift to me for my 60th birthday.  Wonderful gift, had to buy it.

One day Tom and I will go strolling together with two Canon AE-1 cameras for a fun afternoon.

Canon EOS Elan IIe, Tamron 28-200 zoom, The Villa, Summer of 2010

As I said, Chicago’s The Villa neighborhood has been a nice place to buy used film cameras.

This camera sold for over $1000 when new but I purchased the body and its zoom lens for a whopping $40.  I think it was a good deal.  I told the owner the camera was worth a sold $80 – $100 on eBay if he took the time to sell it.  I told him I would give him a quick $40.  His wife said take the money and get rid of the camera.

There are some very good reviews for this camera on the Internet.  But it does seem to have a voracious appetite for batteries.

Canon QL17, Mt. Pulaski Garage Sale, $10, Summer 2010

My wife’s home town of Mt. Pulaski, IL has a few garage sales in the summertime.  She was with me on this drive and we had just visited a garage sale with no luck.  She saw a sign for another garage sale and said I should try a certain house.  Sure enough, there was a surprise.

If you don’t see a camera in a garage sale always ask,

Do you have any film cameras in the house?

You’d be surprised how many people forget about their cameras in the basement or attic.  The elderly lady (heck, I’m 60 years old) brought out a beat up camera case with Canon written on it.  I opened it up and there was a Canon QL17 inside.  Good mechanical shape, dead battery, inner seals crumbling with age.

She asked how much it was worth and I told her:  Fixed up, sold on eBay, perhaps $50 to $70.  She asked how much I would pay.  I told her my estimate was low and she might not like it.  She asked for the offer.  I told her $10.

She said yes.  It’s a nice camera (I have one just like it already) and this winter I’ll repair its seals and take it for camera shoot.

September 9, 2013:  My camera guy has given this a complete CLA and it’s about to go on eBay after a test roll.  Here’s hoping it finds a nice home.

Canon Sure Shot Ace, waist level finder, Date Unknown, Five Dollars

Point and shoot cameras are often a bit expensive to collect and test.  New batteries, film, developing and you’re at $10 easily.  Kind of pricey when the camera cost only 5 dollars (U.S.).  I suppose I shouldn’t complain.  I purchased a Yashica T4 for $30 that’s worth $250 easily.

Perhaps that’s why I liked the Canon Sure Shot Ace.  It reminded me of the Yashica T4 because it has an eye level view finder and a waist level finder.  I suppose I’ll test it one day but it’s further down on my testing list.

Canonet 28, Summer 2010, $30 on Craigslist

That sounds about right.  I purchased this long distance from the east coast using Craigslist.  Bad seals but the meter tested OK.

I think I purchased it because allegedly this was the camera used in the movie Pecker.  If you haven’t seen the movie Pecker its worth seeing.  Small town boy from a quirky family gets a 35mm camera and photographs everything.  NYC film critic discovers Pecker (his nickname) and he hits the big time in New York City.  Then his life goes careening out of control.

Most likely, the Canon Canonet 28 is Pecker’s camera.

Kodak Instamatic X-15 – Russia Trip, 1975

It sounds like a rocket ship.  It isn’t.

This is one of my few non 35mm cameras.  It went to Russia with me in 1975.  While I salivated over my tent partner’s Praktica SLR I had the tiny Kodak.  I still have those old photos, ready to be scanned when I purchase an Epson scanner.

I still have this camera and it has film in it.  I should just shoot it out and try to develop it.  I know that it has photos of my life before 1980 when I met my wonderful wife.

Konica Rangefinder, Bridgeport and Craigslist, Fall of 2010, About $35

This was purchased just off Cermak in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.  The owner wouldn’t even let me inside his home.  I guess that’s OK.  I met him outside his home and checked out the camera as daylight ebbed away late in the day.  I remember trying to check out the camera with the street lights overhead.

Purchasing an old camera in a hurry with fading light isn’t a great idea.  It looks like its in good shape.  (My wife is again right.  No more camera purchases, for a while…)

Minolta Auto Wide, Chicago Snowstorm, February 1, 2011, $30

I remember the day I purchased this Minolta rangefinder, January 31, 2011.  It was the night before the worst snowstorm in Chicago in recent years.  Purchased at Kouks Vintage Cafe on NorthWest Highway.  Great coffee, nice collectibles, and two nice people who own it.

I purchased it for $30 because I saw one sold on eBay for $240 (honest).  But the film advance is stuck and my local camera repair guy wants $40 to repair it.  So it sits on my shelf waiting for someone to fix it.  Hopefully I can have it fixed before the next snowfall.

This camera remains unrepaired, sitting patiently on one of my shelves.  When I learn how to break down a lens and remove oil from aperture blades with Ronsonol, I’ll spend some time on this camera.

Minolta SRT 102 SLR, Summer of 2011, Denver Craigslist

This camera has a speckled viewfinder but the rest of the camera sounds solid as a rock.  I believe someone just tossed it into a parcel I purchased from Denver’s Craigslist.  The parcel of cameras was perhaps $30 plus shipping, the Minolta SRT 102 was free.

I don’t know much about the Minolta SRT 102 but its older brother the SRT 101 was used during the Viet Nam War by U.S. war photographers.  I barely missed purchasing an SRT 101 Viet Nam war camera on eBay in November 2011.  Luckily, now that I own a Gossen Digisix light meter I don’t care about the Minolta SRT 102’s light metering system.

Miranda SLR, eBay, Summer of 2010, $55

I was surprised to win this camera.  I set my highest bid on eBay, went to a party, came home, and saw that I had won a camera.  Normally the high bid technique doesn’t work for me on eBay.  Perhaps I won it because a previous owner scratched his name onto the metal.  Whenever I see that I think, how tacky.  If the camera is so important to you, never let it out of your sight.

Why a Miranda?  Why not.  I had read it was a fine camera company that died with too much competition in the 1960’s.  This camera came with 3 lenses and patiently waits for me to use it.

Nikon N65, ShopGoodwill, Long Distance, $65

This really is good therapy for a camera collector.  If you feel like purchasing another camera that will sit on your shelf, write a blog post about all the cameras that are collecting dust instead.  It’s a humbling exercise and cuts down on wasteful eBay purchases.

Photography Review had a 4.38 out of 5 rating for this camera with 119 reviews.  That’s an awesome track record.

It’s light, seems sturdy, and came with a 28-80 zoom lens that I am testing on another camera.

Nikon Point and Shoot, Greg of Wilmette, Free, Summer of 2011

I can’t even remember the name of this camera.  All I know is it sits on my desk by the computer screen.

When I purchased Greg’s Mamiya/Sekor 1000 and Olympus XA for $25 he tossed in this Nikon point and shoot for free.  Point and shoots are expensive to test.  You buy them for $5 or less.  But the film, developing, and possible battery pushes the testing cost to $8 to $15 dollars.  Just to test a camera you thought was “inexpensive”.  I’m also not partial to most point and shoots because I have nothing to control (aperture, shutter, focus, anything).

Having said all of that, every Nikon point and shoot I’ve used have had terrific lenses.  So for now, this Nikon point and shoot will need to wait its turn.

Olympus 35 RC, 2nd One, Summer of 2010, Craigslist, $30

I purchased this during the initial phase of my camera collection frenzy last year.  I read the Olympus 35 RC was a good camera in many places on the Internet.  Read Ken Rockwell’s Olympus 35 RC description and I dare you to not want to buy one of them for yourself.  I found one on Craigslist from the East Coast and purchased it long distance.  Most of it was OK except for an obscured viewfinder that doesn’t show all the aperture/shutter speed information.

But the good news is that after it was delivered to me, I found its twin the very next day at a garage sale in The Villa in Chicago, IL.  That Olympus 35 RC is tested but not written up yet.  A beautiful camera, plus a case, plus a point and shoot, all for $15.  This is a photo of what an Olympus 35 RC can do.

 Olympus  XA, Greg of Wilmette, Summer 2011, $12.50

I do love Wilmette, IL garage sales.  This was a $12.50 Olympus XA I purchased from Greg the retired lawyer.  I told him accurately what it was worth but offered what I could afford.  I even received two flashes for it in the process.  In my defense, paying $12.50 for a camera that sells for $50 plus on eBay, I would say that I purchased it untested.  Always a risk.

But taking it home that day I tried a battery in it and the metering system worked fine.  No photos taken as yet.  Like a darn fool I unscrewed the battery chamber on my back porch, the battery cover slipped out of my hand, rolled on the deck, and slipped through the cracks 6 feet below into the wood chips.  I was lucky.  15 minutes later I found a dark battery cover amidst dark wood chips.

This is a photo from my other Olympus XA, tested, but no write-up as yet.  Pretty amazing, especially when you consider it was done hand held in my car using ASA 200 speed film.  Somewhere, Mr. Yoshihisa Maitani the designer of the Olympus XA is smiling.

Olympus AF-1 Twin, Basement, Unknown Origins

I can’t remember purchasing it.  I know that wherever I purchased it I did not spend more than $5 for it.  Just a rule.  No more than $5 for an untested point and shoot camera (unless its any kind of Yashica T3 or T4).  It sits in the basement with a few other point and shoot cameras of dubious origins.

Camerapedia has a write-up on it.  Other than that, it remains a mystery.  But it is an Olympus and I almost all of my Olympus cameras have done well (SLR, rangefinder, or point and shoot).

Pentax K1000, Park Ridge, 15 bucks, Summer 2010

Wouldn’t you buy a Pentax K1000 with two lenses, case, and a light meter that works for $15?  Of course you would.  This is my most memorable Park Ridge, IL camera purchase. Great reviews for the Pentax K1000 are all over the Internet.  Karen Nakamura’s Photoethnography calls the Pentax K1000 an excellent student camera.

On Fridays driving to work in the summertime I take garage sale detours from Rand Road.  This one came deep in a subdivision of suburban homes.  A man in his late 30’s or early 40’s had set up a bunch of items on his garage driveway.  A black case has $15 marked on it.  I open it up and try not to jump for joy:  a Pentax K1000.  The shutter works fine, viewfinder is clear, and oh my goodness, the light meter responds to light, it’s working.  It includes an 80-200mm zoom lens.

You want $15 for the case, camera and lenses?

The owner said yes and I paid it in a heartbeat.  No small talk, just pay the man what he wants and go.  It’s probably worth $50 to $70 on eBay.  What a deal.

Pentax K1000, Chicago’s Northside, 20 bucks, Summer 2012

It was a bargain at $20.  Shutter speeds were accurate, camera body clean, lens clean.  I took it home and dropped in a new battery and the light meter works great.  I’ll run a test roll through it and hopefully sell it on eBay.  I don’t need two Pentax K1000’s.  But I don’t like to see old, good cameras become lost on some forgotten antique store’s shelf.

Pentax Spotmatic Body, Salvation Army, Summer 2011, 10 Dollars

This really is a sweet camera body that I picked up at the Salvation Army store on North Clybourn in Chicago, IL.  The ladies seem to know me now so sometimes they let me behind the counter to sift through 30 cameras stuffed in the display case.  Normally no “keepers” but good practice for someone who collects cameras and looks for value.  I visit about once a month.

For a terrific write-up on the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic Karen Nakamura’s Photoethnography is your first visit.  As far as I am concerned regarding photography on the Internet, Karen Nakamura, Ken Rockwell, and Matt Denton have done more for my love of cameras and photography than any other website or person.

Back to the Asashi Pentax Spotmatic I purchased…

In Summer 2011 I dropped by the Salvation Army store and found two cameras:  Pentax Spotmatic Body and Sears TLS Body.  I tested both on the spot and realized the Pentax shutter worked fine but the Sears TLS shutter speeds were undependable.  I took them both.

Both will need M42 screw mount lenses and now I have some of those to use with these camera bodies.  I tested the Pentax Spotmatic light meter with a battery and it doesn’t work.  But the shutter speeds and feel of the camera just ooze with quality.  At any shutter speed, the Pentax Spotmatic works and there’s a quiet sound and hardly any camera shake.  I look forward to using it.

September 9, 2013:  Too bad the light meter on this camera is erratic.  It jumps around but never settles down.  At best I can only shoot it with a light meter.

Petri Color 35, Craigslist, Long Distance, 30 Dollars, Fall 2010

In my early days of collecting film cameras, I was very intrigued with rangefinders.  I still am.  Although they don’t have the advantage of interchangeable lenses and shooting from a distance, they’re good at stealth.  Perhaps even better than that, rangefinders don’t make a big scary sound when you take the photo.  They’re unobtrusive, friendlier somehow.

Even one year after I purchased this camera on Craigslist from the west coast somewhere for $30 plus shipping, I remember its glowing writeup at Cameraquest.  How could I not buy a camera that was better designed than a Rollei 35S ?  It’s really a tight little bundle of good engineering.  As my wife said, I don’t need to buy another camera.  I need to shoot with the ones I own.

Praktica Nova B, Village Discount, Spring 2011

This camera was purchased along with a Canon 650 body for I believe $25.  In my defense I would say that I wasn’t sure if either the Canon 650 or the Praktica would work.

I think I’ve always wanted a Praktica ever since my tent partner Ken had one on my Russian trip of  1975.  I had a Kodak Instamatic X-15 and he had a Praktica.  Talk about camera envy.  Plus I’m German-American and my Uncle Ernie showed me a shiny chrome camera years ago when I was little.

This Praktica Nova B came with a lens as I recall, nothing special.  It stank of cigarette smoke so that’s a factor against it.  Also, I think the shutter speeds are off a bit.  But it was made by some of my ancestors so I think it deserves a little respect, and a photo shoot in the near future.

Ricoh KR-5, Craigslist Purchase, July 2012

There are camera bargains on Craigslist.  This was part of a camera lot of 7 cameras and accessories that I purchased in July 2012 for $35.

At first when I tested this Ricoh KR-5 at the customer’s apartment sale I thought the camera wasn’t working.  I pressed the shutter button and nothing happened.  I guessed it needed a battery to work just like a Ricoh KR-10.  But I was wrong.

When I brought the camera home, I advanced the shutter slightly and the camera worked fine.  If the shutter advance is in its normal position the shutter is locked.  Advance the shutter slightly and the camera works in manual mode.  It’s a well made camera and even its light meter works fine.

I look forward to using it one day.

September 9, 2013:  I gave this to a young 10 year old photographer.  Here’s hoping she learns how to use it.

Ricohflex TLR, eBay, Fall of 2010, 25 dollars

I’ve tried to stay with 35mm cameras but once in a while I’ve dipped my toe into the 120 film format.  This camera came with a beat up case, a shutter that worked only once (now I have to trip a mechanism for the shutter to work), and there was slight fungus on the lens.  It sits on a shelf waiting for a repairman to screw it back together again.  But the labor will be more than the camera is worth.  So it sits.

I think this camera is destined for eBay as a parts only sale.

August 2012:  Good news for this camera.  I found another Ricohflex and combined the two cameras into one twin lens reflex camera that works.  Visit Super Ricohflex, Super Wife to read about my Ricohflex camera repair.

Sears TLS Body, Salvation Army, Summer 2011, 10 Dollars

I knew when I purchased it that the battery was probably corroded (cover would not come off) and that the shutter speeds were off.  I blame (joking) Matt Denton for his write-up on the Sears TLS for wanting this black beauty of a camera.  It’s also known as a Ricoh Singlex TLS.  Apparently, Ricoh made a lot of cameras for Sears years ago.

I tried using WD40 on some of the interior mechanisms of the camera (DO NOT DO THAT) and now the shutter action is worse than before.  I am probably the least likely person to fix a defective camera.  (Perhaps I can get my friend John interested in this hobby.)

Note:  I gave this camera to a work colleague who’s much better with fixing cameras than I am.  Here’s hoping that Mickey can fix this camera’s shutter problem.

Vivitar, 220, Shop Goodwill, Summer and Fall 2011, 15 and 20 Dollars

Once I purchased two M42 screw mount cameras in the Pentax Spotmatic and the Sears TLS, I obviously needed lenses for them.  Reading about M42 SLR cameras at Matt Denton’s website led me to the Vivitar 400/SL write-up.  Who knew it?  Vivitar actually had good cameras made by Cosina.  One day I thought I saw a Vivitar 400/SL for sale at Shop Goodwill but after I purchased it I realized it was a Vivitar 200/SL.

The Vivitar 200/SL came from Wisconsin but sadly they forgot to include the zoom lens they promised.  I didn’t make a fuss because I had a camera bag, one camera, and two lenses.  Besides, if you purchase from Shop Goodwill you should strive to be gracious, they make little money and support the needy (my opinion).

So I had one Vivitar 200/SL and bought another.  Why?  This second purchase from Shop Goodwill had a camera, two lenses, and the third zoom lens that I wanted in the first place. My two Vivitars work mechanically and the light meter seems to work although I don’t like its quirky left/right red arrow metering system.  They are as yet untested with film.

Vivitar XC-4, Morton Grove, 10 dollars, Summer 2011

This really is the 1st Vivitar camera I purchased (I own four).

In Morton Grove, IL, I was driving garage sales for cameras.  Nice talking to people about cameras.  I’m becoming a used camera consultant for some people.

I remember this camera story clearly.  Suburban home, side drive with things for sale, garage set in back.  Lots of tools for sale.  The man is in his 80’s and he’s a little senile (I hope that’s polite).  His daughter is deep into her fifities, just a little younger than me.  She’s keeping an eye on him, being a good daughter.

I don’t see any cameras at the garage sale but ask the question you should always ask:

Do you have film cameras in your house?

The daughter spoke with her Dad, said yes, and went inside the house.  I watched the garage sale, and her Dad.

When she back outside she had a beautiful black Marsand leather camera case that obviously was still cool from the air conditioned basement.  I opened it up and found a nice looking camera that worked mechanically as it should (aperture and shutter action).  It was well cared for, or so I thought.

I looked at it and thought I didn’t need a Vivitar SLR.  Aren’t they 2nd tier cameras?  It’s not a Canon, Nikon, or even a Pentax.  I asked the daughter how much they wanted for it but she said, “Make an offer.”

I said I think I’ll pass, thanks for showing it to me, and started walking away.  But 15 steps away I turned and came back.  Then I said:

I wasn’t looking for a Vivitar.  I’ll offer you $10 for the camera and the case.

She said yes and I was glad.  It’s a nice camera in a beautiful black Marsand case.  The old man who took such good care of his carpentry tools perhaps took good care of his Vivitar XC-4.  There’s very little written about the Vivitar XC-4 but here’s a brief snippet on the Vivitar XC-2 for your reading.

One roll of film came out badly from the Vivitar XC-4 but I think it was the non-Walgreens pharmacy that had the problem.  I had two rolls of film developed at a store and both rolls of film came out badly.  48 exposures and 6 poorly developed photos.  I am re-testing the camera.

Personally, I refuse to believe that the old retired carpenter from Morton Grove had any bad “tool” in his house.  That includes his Vivitar XC-4.

Yashica Electro 35 GSN, 2nd One, 2010, $25

Early in 2010 in my camera collecting I wanted a Yashica GSN.  Then, I came to own two of them.

The problem with a Yashica GSN is normally its battery and possible corrosion.  This camera is untested but I have already tested my first Yashica Electro 35 GSN and have come to enjoy them.  It’s an amazing camera that can take hand held photos like this one with ASA 200 speed by candlelight.

I sold this camera to my camera friend Mickey for $20.  He shot his first roll of film and was pleased with it.

Yashica FX-3, 15 dollars, Chicago’s Northside, Summer 2012

On my third visit to a junk, antique store the owner accepted my offer.  They had wanted $30 originally but when I offered to purchase two cameras and a lens together they gave me a discount.

It’s an incredibly light camera for being an SLR.  Nice Yashica lens, clean camera body, accurate shutter speeds.  It really looks only a few years old.  I purchased it because it means I can buy a Zeiss lens for it if ever I find a Zeiss lens.

Yashica Lynx 14, 15 dollars, Delevan, Wisconsin, Summer 2011

Delavan, Wisconsin is a nice town that once was the winter home for circuses before Florida was discovered (Ponce De Leon, 1519).  Really, it’s a nice town with nice shops, a wonderful book store, a fine bakery, and a few antique shops.

We come here once a year because my wife and I go to a summer church camp at Lake Geneva for a weekend.

Visiting one antique shop in Delavan I saw the famous “goggle eyed” camera in the glass display case.  Could it be?  Is it really?  Yes, It was the Yashica Lynx 14.  Asking price was 25 dollars.

I don’t like paying full price for old untested cameras.  This camera had some obvious problems (and more to follow).  The case was in horrible shape.  It was missing a rewind crank for the film.  There seemed to be a speck or two on the lens (seems like a tiny fungus).  But the aperture and shutter speeds worked fine.

I showed the owner all the defects and offered him $15.  He took it gladly.

During the summer I made a few repairs to it, cannibalizing my bad Yashica 5000 cameras, put a new battery in it and determined the light meter was not working.  I’ll soon test the Yashica Lynx 14 with my newly acquired Gossen Digisix light meter.  For great information on Yashica rangefinders and the Yashica Lynx 14, visit the Yashica Guy.

Yashicamat 124, 110 dollars, Craigslist Ohio, 2010

In the summer to late fall of 2010 I became a little obsessed with 120 format cameras, especially the Yashica line.

I found this affordable Yashicamat 125 long distance on Craigslist, negotiated a bit with the seller via email, and purchased it.  He said it belonged to his daughter for a photography class.

Visit Karen Nakamura’s Photoethnography website for her write-up on the Yashicamat 124.

I already know a good battery couldn’t bring back the Yashicamat 124’s light metering system.  But it looks like a solid TLR camera.

Zeiss Ikon Nettar, Chicago Estate Sale, 15 Dollars, July 2012

On a weekday drive to Costco I saw a sign for an estate sale and my car veered off the road safely as it normally does.  I do stop for an obvious estate sale.

A quick walk around a table set up in a Chicago back yard brought me to a folding camera:  Zeiss Ikon Nettar.  I checked the mechanisms as best I could and it seemed to work.  They asked $15 and I paid it quickly.

I believe this camera was made in the early 1930’s.  It uses 120 film and is in good condition.  It does seem to have a sticky shutter that works best at 1/75th of a second.  At 1/25th of a second the shutter freezes.  It’s a keeper.

Tested 35mm Film Cameras without Write-Ups

I’ve tested about 30 cameras but most of them aren’t on this website, yet.  Over time, I’ll list them here.

Agfa Optima Ia, Fall 2010, 5 Dollars

Another eBay purchase.  I think it came with 3 other film cameras.  Of the four cameras for $12 (U.S.), three of them worked.

I’m German-American and I think my German genetics kicked in with my interest in the Agfa cameras.  It is a good looking camera that does feel a bit light and plasticy, read CameraSite for more info on it.  My camera came with a beautiful brown leather case.

Here’s a sample photo taken with my Agfa Optima Ia:

There are More Cameras

This blog post is unfinished but that’s OK.  It’s a hobby.  Over time I’ll finish it with all the tested film cameras and tested film cameras with write-ups.

If you’d like to see photos taken with my tested cameras visit my Flickr account.  There are many sample photos there, just without background information.

Thanks for visiting What is a Film Camera today.