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Cameras
| Name | Make | Model | System | Mount | Format | Type | ↑ Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivitar ViviCam X325 | Vivitar | ViviCam X325 | Fixed lens | Fixed | Digital | Digital Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Vivitar ViviCam 7500i Limited Edition | Vivitar | ViviCam 7500i | Fixed lens | Fixed | Digital | Digital Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Camp Snap Pro | Camp Snap | Pro | Fixed lens | Fixed | Digital | Digital Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Canon EOS 1000F | Canon | EOS 1000F | Canon EOS | Canon EF | 35mm Film | Film SLR | Good to Excellent |
| Minolta Dynax 700si | Minolta | Dynax 700si | Minolta A | Minolta A | 35mm Film | Film SLR | Good to Excellent |
| Minolta Dynax 505si | Minolta | Dynax 505si | Minolta A | Minolta A | 35mm Film | Film SLR | Good to Excellent |
| Pentax Espio 140 | Pentax | Espio 140 | Fixed lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Nikon Lite Touch Zoom 130ED | Nikon | Lite Touch Zoom 130ED | Fixed lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Agfa Optima 1035 Sensor | Agfa | Optima 1035 Sensor | Fixed lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Voigtländer Vito CS | Voigtländer | Vito CS | Fixed lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Vivitar 35EF | Vivitar | 35EF | Fixed lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Kershaw Raven | Kershaw (Soho Ltd, London) | Raven | Medium Format Film | Fixed | 120 Roll Film (6x9) | Film Folder | Good to Excellent |
| Nikon 1 J2 | Nikon | 1 J2 | Nikon 1 | Nikon 1 | 1-inch (CX) | Digital Mirrorless | Good to Excellent |
| Olympus E-500 | Olympus | E-500 | Four Thirds | Four Thirds | Four Thirds | Digital SLR | Good to Excellent |
| Pentax MZ-M | Pentax | MZ-M | Pentax K | Pentax K | 35mm Film | Film SLR | Good to Excellent |
| Voigtländer Vito CLR | Voigtländer | Vito CLR | Fixed lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good to Excellent |
| Asahi Pentax Spotmatic F | Asahi Pentax | Spotmatic F | Pentax M42 | M42 | 35mm Film | Film SLR | Good to Excellent |
| Yashica AW-mini AF | Yashica (Kyocera) | AW-mini AF | Fixed lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good |
| Zorki 4 | KMZ | Zorki 4 | Rangefinder | LTM M39 | 35mm Film | Film Rangefinder | Good |
| Rolleicord | Rollei | Rolleicord | Fixed Lens | Fixed | Medium Format Film | Film TLR | Good |
| Rollei 35S | Rollei | 35S | Fixed Lens | Fixed | 35mm Film | Film Compact | Good |
| Pentax K10D | Pentax | K10D | Pentax K | Pentax K | APS-C | Digital SLR | Good |
| Olympus E-P1 | Olympus | E-P1 | Micro Four Thirds | M4/3 | Micro Four Thirds | Digital Mirrorless | Good |
| Fuji X-T1 | Fujifilm | X-T1 | Fuji X | Fuji X | APS-C | Digital Mirrorless | Good |
| Fuji X100T | Fujifilm | X100T | Fixed Lens | Fixed | APS-C | Digital Compact | Good |
| FED 4 | FED | FED 4 | Rangefinder | LTM M39 | 35mm Film | Film Rangefinder | Good |
| FED 2 | FED | FED 2 | Rangefinder | LTM M39 | 35mm Film | Film Rangefinder | Good |
| Canon 5D Classic | Canon | 5D (Mk I) | Canon EOS | Canon EF | Full Frame | Digital SLR | Good |
| Sony A7R IIIa | Sony | A7R IIIa | Sony Alpha | Sony E-Mount | Full Frame | Digital Mirrorless | Excellent |
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk III | Olympus | OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Micro Four Thirds | M4/3 | Micro Four Thirds | Digital Mirrorless | Excellent |
Digital Cameras (Interchangeable Lens)
The Sony A7R IIIa is the primary Full Frame digital body in my collection. Featuring a 42 megapixel back-illuminated full frame sensor, it delivers exceptional image quality with outstanding dynamic range and low light performance. The Sony E-Mount ecosystem combined with the wide range of adapters in this collection means virtually any lens can be used on this body. The high resolution sensor makes it particularly rewarding when used with quality vintage glass.
Probably the next most used camera - I have a few good lenses for this - native and adapted.
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is a professional Micro Four Thirds body and one of the finest cameras Olympus produced before the brand transitioned to OM System.
It features class-leading in-body image stabilisation, excellent weather sealing, and a superb electronic viewfinder. The M4/3 sensor combined with the crop factor makes it ideal for telephoto and macro work, and the IBIS system pairs beautifully with adapted vintage lenses.
I am still learning and experimenting with all the features it offers - Live ND etc.
Called “Classic” for a reason. Only 12mp but what an image.
The original Canon 5D, released in 2005, was a landmark camera — the first consumer-accessible full frame DSLR.
While modest by modern standards at 12.8 megapixels, it produces beautiful files with excellent colour rendering. It remains a capable camera for film-like shooting and is a pleasure to use with the Canon EF lenses in the collection.
A piece of photographic history that still delivers.
Whilst I am becoming used to composing with the screen, as an old vintage camera user, brought up with the viewfinder mode of operation, I have not used this as much.
It can be quite slow when not using auto. Strange, but the results are good.
I am not sure it is a keeper, but it is a thing of beauty to look at - even sitting on a shelf. That probably means it is (a keeper).
Shown here with the white smc Pentax-DA L 18-55mm AL WR.
The Pentax K10D was a highly regarded APS-C DSLR released in 2006, notable for being one of the first consumer DSLRs with weather sealing and in-body image stabilisation.
It accepts the full range of Pentax K mount lenses natively, making it an excellent companion to the Pentax K to M4/3 adapter in the collection. The K10D has a loyal following and produces pleasing, film-like images.
Trendy CCD to boot :>.
The Fuji X-T1 was a landmark camera for Fujifilm, bringing a traditional SLR-style body with physical dials for shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation to the mirrorless world. It features Fuji's excellent X-Trans sensor technology and the superb JPEG processing the X series is famous for. With the M42 and Pen F adapters in the collection, it becomes a versatile platform for vintage glass shooting.
this was my main shooter for a good while and my first foray into adapting vintage lenses onto a mirrorless system.
Battery life could be better - carry a few with you, but image quality is great. I have taken some of my favourite shots with this one. I need to use it more.
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The Olympus E-500 (2005) is an 8-megapixel DSLR for the original Four Thirds system, with a Kodak-made CCD sensor that is still liked for its colour rendering. Like other Olympus DSLRs of the period it has the Supersonic Wave Filter to shake dust off the sensor. Its Four Thirds lenses can also be used on Micro Four Thirds bodies such as the E-M1 Mk III via the Four Thirds to M4/3 adapter, keeping autofocus.
Shown here with the Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6.
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Nikon's 1 system (2011-2018) was a compact mirrorless range built around a 1-inch “CX” sensor, giving a 2.7x crop factor. The J2 (2012) is one of the simple, pocketable J-series models, updating the J1 with a higher-resolution rear screen and a more traditional mode dial. The J-series were known for very fast hybrid autofocus and high burst rates for their time. The system was discontinued in 2018, but the cameras remain a fun, tiny option.
Shown here with the 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR kit zoom.
Compact Digital Cameras (Fixed Lens)
Fantastic & portable. Battery life shortish - just carry more than one - lightweight carry option, espacially with a fixed lens.
Other wide angle, and telephoto add-ons are/were available, but never tried them - if one came up at the right price, however.
The Fuji X100T is a fixed lens compact camera featuring a 23mm f/2 Fujinon lens — equivalent to 35mm on full frame. The X100 series is beloved for its combination of excellent image quality, compact size and the unique hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. It excels as a street and travel camera where its discreet size and silent leaf shutter make it unobtrusive. The fixed lens encourages a disciplined approach to composition.
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The Camp Snap Pro is a modern, retro-styled digital camera made to feel like a simple film point-and-shoot. It has a classic rangefinder look with a silver top plate and leatherette body, a fixed lens and charges over USB.
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The Vivitar ViviCam 7500i is a slim, pocketable digital compact from the 2000s, here in a gold “Limited Edition” finish. It has a fixed zoom lens, built-in flash and a sliding design.
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The Vivitar ViviCam X325 is a 10-megapixel digital compact with a 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.4-inch rear screen. A straightforward, budget everyday camera from the late 2000s. Comes with its soft case.
Film Cameras (Interchangeable Lens)
Classic Leica clone. Again I have taken some great shots with this (Jupiter 8).
The Zorki 4 is a Soviet rangefinder camera produced by KMZ (Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant) from 1956 to 1973, making it one of the longest produced Soviet cameras. It is based on the pre-war Leica II design and accepts L39 screw mount lenses. The Zorki 4 is well built and reliable, and typically comes paired with the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 lens — itself a copy of the pre-war Zeiss Sonnar. A capable and characterful film camera.
The FED 2 is a Soviet rangefinder produced in Kharkov, Ukraine from 1955 to 1970. Like the Zorki, it is derived from the Leica II design and accepts L39 mount lenses. The FED factory was originally established in a children's labour commune, giving the cameras their name — Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet secret police.
It's a refined and pleasant rangefinder to use, with a longer rangefinder base than the FED 1 for improved focus accuracy.
Also relatively small and feel good to use.
The FED 4 is a later Soviet rangefinder produced from 1964 to 1980, featuring a built-in selenium light meter — unusual for Soviet cameras of the era. The meter is often no working or unreliable on most examples - mine is fine.
The camera itself remains a solid shooter. It retains the L39 mount compatible with the Jupiter and Industar lenses in the collection.
A more refined camera than its predecessors with an improved viewfinder and rangefinder.
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The Pentax MZ-M (sold as the ZX-M in North America) is the manual-focus member of Pentax's compact late-1990s MZ series of 35mm SLRs. It uses the Pentax K bayonet, so it takes the M, A and Takumar (Bayonet) lenses as well as later autofocus-era glass used in manual focus. It has a built-in motor wind, DX film-speed reading and classic dial controls for shutter speed and exposure mode.
Shown here with the smc Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7.
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The Spotmatic F (1973) was the last of the Spotmatic line and the first to offer open-aperture TTL metering, when used with the SMC Takumar lenses. It is a fully mechanical M42 screw-mount SLR; the meter needs a battery but the shutter does not. Pairs naturally with the SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.8. Comes with its original Asahi Pentax ever-ready case.
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The Minolta Dynax 505si (Maxxum 505si in the USA) is a late-1990s autofocus 35mm SLR for the Minolta A mount. It is a lightweight, easy-to-use body with program and manual modes and a built-in flash. A-mount lenses also fit Sony Alpha DSLRs, and can be adapted to Sony E-mount bodies such as the A7R IIIa.
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The Minolta Dynax 700si (Maxxum 700si in the USA), from 1993, is an enthusiast-level autofocus 35mm SLR for the Minolta A mount. It has a bright viewfinder, a top-plate LCD, full manual control and Minolta's accurate 14-segment honeycomb metering. A more serious body than the 505si.
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The Canon EOS 1000F (EOS Rebel S in the USA) is a 1990 entry-level autofocus 35mm SLR. It uses the same EF mount as the Canon 5D, so the Canon EF lenses in this collection fit it too (EF-S lenses do not). It has a built-in pop-up flash and program, priority and manual modes.
Compact Film Cameras (Point & Shoot, Fixed Lens)
The Rollei 35S is a remarkable feat of engineering — a fully mechanical 35mm camera that folds down to fit in a shirt pocket, yet features a high quality Sonnar 40mm f/2.8 lens. Made in Singapore from 1974, it is one of the smallest full frame 35mm cameras ever produced. Fully manual with zone focusing, it rewards a thoughtful approach to photography. The Sonnar lens produces beautiful, sharp images with pleasing rendering.
I replaced the battery with an adapter that supposedly changes the voltage - this worked well in the early days but now I am not so sure and use it with a shoe mounted light meter or my Gossen 6
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A 1960s 35mm viewfinder camera from Voigtländer with a built-in coupled light meter (the “LR”). It has a fixed Color-Skopar 50mm f/2.8 lens in a leaf shutter up to 1/500s, with zone focusing. Comes in its brown leather ever-ready case.
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The Vivitar 35EF is a late-1970s 35mm compact with a 38mm f/2.8 lens and automatic exposure set by a selenium-cell meter around the lens. Focusing is by zone symbols, and the built-in flash pops up at the press of a button. A simple, robust point-and-shoot from the era before autofocus.
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The Vito CS is a 1980s 35mm compact sold under the Voigtländer name but built by Balda in West Germany, after Voigtländer had stopped making its own cameras. It has a Voigtländer Color-Skopar lens behind a fold-down front cover and a built-in/detachable flash. A distant descendant of the classic Vito line, which also includes the Vito CLR in this collection.
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The Agfa Optima 1035 Sensor (late 1970s) is a compact 35mm camera with a 40mm f/2.8 Solitar S lens and fully programmed automatic exposure. It is known for Agfa's large red “Sensor” shutter button, which needs only a light touch. Focusing is manual by scale. Comes with its original burgundy leather case.
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The Nikon Lite Touch Zoom 130ED is an autofocus 35mm zoom compact from around 2000, with a 38-130mm zoom lens that uses ED (extra-low dispersion) glass. It has a silver and gold finish, built-in flash and fully automatic operation. Comes with its soft case.
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The Pentax Espio 140 (sold as the IQZoom 140 in North America) is a 1990s autofocus 35mm compact with a long 38-140mm SMC Pentax zoom lens and a multi-point autofocus system. It was one of the longest-reaching zoom compacts of its day.
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The Yashica AW-mini AF is a compact, weather-resistant 35mm point-and-shoot from the Kyocera era of Yashica. “AW” stands for all-weather: it is sealed against rain and splashes, though it is not a dive camera. It has a 35mm f/3.5 Yashica lens, autofocus and a built-in flash. It has a faulty battery door that needs to be taped closed but otherwise is a great camera and takes really good photos.
Medium Format Film Cameras
Again - another favourite - A twin lens reflex camera. I have the add on lenses for close up etc.
The Rolleicord is a twin lens reflex medium format camera produced by Rollei in Germany.
As the more affordable sibling to the famous Rolleiflex, it shares the same fundamental design — a waist-level viewfinder with a taking lens below and a viewing lens above, producing 6x6cm negatives on 120 film. Shooting on the Rolleicord is a meditative experience, the waist-level finder encouraging a different perspective and more considered composition than eye-level cameras.
3.5 as opposed to the 2.8 of the 'flex.
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The Kershaw Raven is a British self-erecting folding camera made by Kershaw of Leeds and sold through Soho Ltd, London, in the 1930s, taking eight 6x9cm frames on 120 roll film. It has a Kershaw Anastigmat 4-inch f/6.3 lens in a Raven shutter with speeds of 1/25, 1/50 and 1/100 plus B and T, and apertures from f/6.3 to f/22. Framing is through the folding wire-frame finder or the small brilliant finder on the lens standard, and it folds flat into its bakelite-style body when closed.
gear/cameras.txt · Last modified: by dadm1n
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