September 27, 2023

Petri FTX

Petri FTX Preamble: I was looking for information about Petri cameras and could not find any in the reference books. It took time and frustration till I realized I needed to look for Kuribayashi instead. To be safe, I ordered the “Collectors Guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras” by John Baird. The book came, and using a polite term, I was unimpressed....

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Petri/SLR Comments: 0

September 26, 2023

Ricoh SLX 500

Ricoh SLX 500 Ricoh made compact SLR cameras from 1963 to 2000, when digital cameras took over. Other than their own brand, they sold via Sears and Kmart in the US, Foto Quelle in Germany and Universa in France. With the early models, they subscribed to the common in the market, whereas in the late 1980s, they climbed to the...

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Ricoh/SLR Comments: 0

September 25, 2023

Fuji ST 705

Fuji ST 705 In the mechanical SLR golden era, Fuji, AKA Fuji Film or Fujica, made a series of number-name models that enjoyed high esteem, and most still survived as able shooters, available at modest prices. The ST 801, a groundbreaker at the time, fetches prices higher than the rest, at either chrome or black bodies. The first of the...

Categories 35 mm/Fuji/Japan/SLR Comments: 0

September 25, 2023

Kowa SE

Kowa SE Kowa had been at the rear end of the Japanese camera industry. I hold a camera that was made in 1964, so one would expect some reference about it in the printed guides. Not so. Kowa, an old established industrial company, branched into the camera trade in 1958 for a short 30-year period. Early models were compact viewfinders...

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Kowa/SLR Comment: 1

September 24, 2023

GAF L-CM

GAF L-CM In the beginning, there was Edward Anthony, who was a pioneer in photography equipment in the US in the later part of the 1800s. The company became E. & H. T. Anthony & Company when his brother joined the venture. In 1902, they merged with Scovill and Adams, a company formed just a decade ago. The new entity...

Categories 35 mm/GAF/SLR/USA Comments: 0

September 22, 2023

Pentax MZ-50

Pentax MZ-50 This camera does not belong here, it is too young to be considered a vintage and was not a classic model. I have it, so it is added. It was bought in the late 1990s when digital models began to pop up, low resolution and more of a novelty. The MZ-50 can do all; see specs below. All...

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Pentax/SLR Comments: 0

September 19, 2023

Nikon N2000

Nikon N2000 In the early 1980s, camera makers kept adding features to their models, allowing pro and amateur photographers to share common bodies. Cameras now had it all: manual, AP/SP assist, power winding, electronically controlled stepless shutters,  with bodies getting ever lighter thanks to polycarbonate use. All that was done while sacrificing simplicity. Such models are enigma till you consult...

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Nikon/SLR Comments: 0

September 17, 2023

Minolta XG-9

Minolta XG-9 The Minolta XG line, made between 1977 and 1984, was a short-lived offering, set below the XD line and the SRT line, all sold simultaneously.  The XG models were aimed at the amateur market, getting in line with the electronic models by other camera makers. All models bear little differences, so unless you look into a specific model,...

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Minolta/TLR Comments: 0

September 15, 2023

Minolta SRT 101

Minolta SRT 101 / SRT 201 Minolta was one of the major Japanese camera makers but could not stay abreast at the cutting-edge, fast-changing technologies. Merged with Konika in 2003 and finally was acquired by Sony in 2006, being the basis of the latter digital line. Collection Apparelis carries a fine, brief article about Minolta’s history, so there is no...

Categories 35 mm/Japan/Minolta/SLR Comments: 0

August 28, 2023

Canon AV-1

Canon AV-1 In the late 1970s, camera makers tried to be all things to everybody. The high-end, pro models were partially stripped down to cater to prosumer buyers. The low-end, mass market had models designed just for that, whereas camera makers relied on brand recognition and the prestigious SLR hump looks. The only stumbling block was the controls plethora on...

Categories 35 mm/Canon/Japan/SLR Comments: 0