Fellsphoto Classic Cameras

Classic Folding Cameras of the 1950's

Using a folder is painstakingly particular. I quickly found that I actually need all of that fiddling before taking a photo. It slows me down, giving me time to think about the shot. It takes several seconds to reset the camera, making each shot more precious. I find myself waiting longer for just the right moment and considering the composition and subject matter much more thoroughly. In fact, I've discovered that shooting with this rig is a meditative experience like no other I've ever experienced. My photography is much better for it.

from 'My Pocket Hassy' by Dave Bias

my Voigtländer collection

1924~63

my Kodak collection

1918~56

Agfa's etc:

Agfa's 1920/30's 'Standard':

1930/40's Billy Records:

and the beautiful French Pontiac Bloc-Metal 45 :

The Irresistible Charm Of A Folding Camera

I finally went out shooting with this beauty. I had the impression to reproduce the gesture of ancient times and thought about the people who used this camera before me.

I thought that this was what I like about old cameras. They're the spirit of the past. And all former users of this camera had left something in it. And now it’s my turn to use it and put my emotions in the pictures I take.

How many people could have owned this camera? And what kind of pictures had the lens seen and taken before? That’s the sense of history.

These cameras are witnesses to changing hands and changing times.
But the memory of the past is there.

And people are curious when they see such a camera. I heard a mother telling her young son:

“Look! That’s a very old camera. That’s how the people took pictures a long time ago.”

taken from a contribution by vicuna to lomography on using his Pontiac Bloc Metal 41