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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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CA6007



Civil War era Ambrotype, Ruby Red Glass Elder 1/9 plate foil mat

This ninth-plate size (2 x 2.5 inches or 6 x 6 cm) Ambrotype features a distinguished older gentleman with a piercing gaze. We don't know the...

$48.99
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CA6048



Ednalite #651 Exakta accessory 38.8 mm to Series VI Adapter Ring

This is an Ednalite USA 651 Series VI Ekakta camera Adapter Ring to 38.8 mm with a clear glass filter. It has seen a lot of use with the aluminum...

$3.19
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CA6090



Eighteen 1860's era Gem Tintypes in Keepsake Box Child w/ Hoop

A tintype is a photograph made by creating a direct positive on a thin sheet of metal coated with a dark lacquer supporting for the photographic...

$73.99
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CA6066



FED-5C 5 Russian Rangefinder 35mm LTM Camera

This is a 1993 (according to the date on the lens sold separately) FED C Soviet/Ukrainian 35mm rangefinder camera. The shutter works fine, the...

$18.99
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CA6030



Fotodiox Pro Lens Mount Adapter Canon FD Lens to EOS DSLR Camera

There are a ton of high quality vintage Canon FD and FL lenses available at reasonable prices. Use this quality Fotodiox adapter to use them on your...

$24.99
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CA6020



Gakken Gakkenflex 35mm twin lens reflex TLR film camera

This is a collectible Gakkenflex 35mm twin lens reflex (TLR) film camera. It is a plastic kit camera that had to be assembled, and was attached to...

$37.49
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