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Cameras & Photography

While the process of photography has been around for hundreds of years, photography did not become widespread until around 1855 with the development of photographic emulsions on glass plates. Daguerreotype cameras formed images on silvered copper plates. The earliest daguerreotype cameras required several minutes to half an hour to expose images on the plates. By 1840, exposure times were reduced to just a few seconds owing to improvements in the chemical preparation and development processes, and to advances in lens design. American daguerreotypists introduced manufactured plates in mass production, and plate sizes became internationally standardized: whole plate (6.5 x 8.5 inches), three-quarter plate (5.5 x 7 1/8 inches), half plate (4.5 x 5.5 inches), quarter plate (3.25 x 4.25 inches), sixth plate (2.75 x 3.25 inches), and ninth plate (2 x 2.5 inches). Plates were often cut to fit cases and jewelry with circular and oval shapes. Larger plates were produced, with sizes such as 9 x 13 inches (“double-whole” plate), or 13.5 x 16.5 inches (Southworth & Hawes’ plate).

Film cameras intended for use by the general public were not available until around 1890 with the development of box cameras and portable bellows cameras that used plastic film on rolls. The use of photographic film was pioneered by George Eastman, who started manufacturing paper film in 1885 before switching to celluloid in 1889. His first camera, which he called the "Kodak," was first offered for sale in 1888. It was a very simple box camera with a fixed-focus lens and single shutter speed, which along with its relatively low price appealed to the average consumer. The Kodak came pre-loaded with enough film for 100 exposures and needed to be sent back to the factory for processing and reloading when the roll was finished. By the end of the 19th century Eastman had expanded his lineup to several models including both box and folding cameras.

On this page we feature collectible and vintage cameras and parts by by Agfa, Argus, Kodak, Leica, Retina, Voigtländer, and others.

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CA6025



ARRI LAS-1 Lens Adapter Support Bracket MFR #K2.0003899

This LAS-1 Lens Adapter Support from ARRI provides sturdy support for many third party, pillar-style lens mount adapters. The LAS-1 Support is...

$10.99
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CA6089



Asahi SMC Pentax-M 28mm F3.5 lens with case cap filter

This is a vintage Asahi Optical SMC Pentax-M 28mm F3.5 lens with original case, original rear end cap, and 49mm Hoya Skylight 1B filter. It was made...

$67.29
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CA6039



Bower Pentax K mount body to Screw Mount KR PK-M42 adapter Japan

This is vintage Bower PK to M42 universal screw mount adapter. It will also work on Ricoh KR mounts. It works fine-just align the red dots and lock...

$6.49
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CA6085



Canon 50mm f/1.8 FD Prime Lens for A1, AE-1, mirrorless

This is an original Canon FD mount 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. It was primarily sold with the Canon AE-1 single-lens reflex (SLR) 35 mm film camera, but...

$46.79
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CA6079



Castel Films Many Moods of Skiing No.3038 Super 8 8mm movie 1963

Castle Films first released this 8mm film in 1963, and then rereleased it in the Super 8 format after 1965. The Many Moods of Skiing replaced their...

$15.99
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CA6121



Chinar 135mm f/2.8 prime lens with Pentax PK mount, Tested

This is a vintage manual-focus Chinar 135mm f/2.8 lens with made for a vintage 35mm film camera with a PK mount. This lens comes with both front and...

$23.99
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