I've been interested in old cameras as long as I've been interested photography. There is something about a design that has stood the test of time and yet still looks fresh and innovative that gets my design juices flowing! I've alway found miniturisation fascinating, and so it is sub-miniture cameras that interest me most. I define sub-minature as a format that produces negative 18mmx24mm or smaller. Since I wrote the pages in this section I have sold most of my collection due to pressures of space. The Olympus Pen F stuff is all that remains :-(
Links
WestLicht Photographica Auction
WestLicht is an Austrian company that runs amazing photographic auction once or twice a year. Their catalogue is interesting to browse through even if you can't afford to bid.
Leica Shop Vintage
ffordes
The Vintage & Classic Camera Company
Some classic camera dealers, including the Leica Shop which is run by the same people as WestLicht.
The Sub Club
submin.com
submini.org
A range of sub-minature web sites. The Sub Club has a comprehensive catalogue of sub miniture cameras, and submin.com is particualrly good for manuals.
CameraQuest classic camera profiles
A set of comprehensive profiles of a wide range of classic cameras, including various Olympus half-frame cameras and high end 110 cameras.
UK Camera Guide 1972
If you're interested in 1970's camera this set of scans from the index of the UK Camera Guide 1972 provides contemporary price information.
Pacific Rim Cameras - Photographica pages
Information on a very elcectic range of cameras.
Vintage camera manuals
Favourite classics/Instruction manuals
Online camera manuals
All these site provide downloadable version of instructions for classic cameras.
Condition codes
Through out this section I use a set of codes to indicate cosmetic and working condition. The Letter indicates cosmetic condition and the number working condition:
A - Mint or near mint
B - Excellent condition with some signs of light use
C - Good condition with normal signs of use
D - On the ropey side with signs of heavy use
1 - Fully working condition
2 - Usable condition but some problems
3 - Not usable