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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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CA6082

Minolta

Minolta XE-7 Vintage 35mm SLR Film Camera Body, Tested, Japan

The Minolta XE-7 was a semi-professional manual focus, 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Minolta of Japan between 1974 and 1977. It can be...

$40.99
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CA6063

Nikon

Nikon 50mm F/4 EL Nikkor Enlarging Lens (39mm M39 Mount)

This used Nikon lens is in great condition with clean glass, with no scratches, haze, or mold, and the aperture blades are clean with no oil. It...

$32.25
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CA6084

Canon

Official Canon 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games Lens Cap 52mm

This is a vintage genuine Canon 52mm lens cap advertising that Canon was the Official 35mm Camera of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Canon was an...

$9.79
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CA6098

Olympus

Olympus OM camera Body Dust Cap genuine vintage OEM Japan

This is a vintage original Olympus camera body or dust cap to their OM camera series beginning with the OM-1. The cap will have light wear and light...

$2.59
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CA6092

Olympus

Olympus OM G.Zuiko AUTO-W 28mm f/3.5 prime lens hood case

The G. Zuiko AUTO-W wide 28mm f/3.5 prime lens was introduced with the Olympus OM-1/M1 camera. It consists of 7 elements arranged in 7 groups with...

$47.75
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CA6049

Olympus

Olympus Rubber Camera Lens Hood for Zuiko OM 35-105mm lens

This is a genuine vintage Olympus hard rubber camera lens hood for Zuiko OM 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 manual focus lens. It is the clamp on style with thumb...

$17.99
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