John's Cameras

Glossary of Photographic Terms (F to I)

2nd April 2017

f/ number This is a ratio of the lens’ focal length divided by the aperture diameter. It gives a measure of light transmittance independent of the lens focal length. f/5.6 (for example) on one lens will transmit the same amount of light as f/5.6 on any other lens. (but see T number) fascia A decorative … More Glossary of Photographic Terms (F to I)

Houghton Ensignette

19th March 2017

This is almost certainly my oldest camera. Until now, that has been my 1918 ICA Icarette. This Ensignette was patented in 1907 – patent number 28484. This information is embossed on the front of the camera. However, I am reliably informed that the camera started production in 1909, just before Christmas and continued in this … More Houghton Ensignette

Voigtlander Vito CLR

5th March 2017

1960s fixed lens rangefider from Germany … More Voigtlander Vito CLR

Olympus OM1n

22nd February 2017

I already have an Olympus OM camera – the OM10. The OM10 is an amateur camera – aperture priority exposure meter and very clumsy manual mode. This OM1 is a professional camera. It is entirely manual and entirely mechanical. That means it will work with no battery and will even work if the meter dies.The … More Olympus OM1n

Fujica ST605

18th February 2017

This is a 35mm SLR film camera from 1977. Ity is very reminescent of an Asahi Pentax. Interestingly, Fuji (as Fujifilm) are one of the few companies to still make film cameras – the Fuji Instax. So, this is an all manual film camera using the standard M42 lens mount thread introduced by eastern Zeiss … More Fujica ST605

Cosina CT1

9th February 2017

This is an amazing title camera. It was introduced by Cosina in 1979/80 and, amazingly, is still available new (rebadged as a Nikon FM10) in 2017. In those years, (nearly 40!), that the Cosina CT1 has been produced, it has been sold in the slightly updated form of the CT1 Super as the Nikon FM10, … More Cosina CT1

Franka 125L (aka Boots Pacemaker 35LM)

1st February 2017

This camera is a rebadged Franka 125L 35 mm camera sold by Boots the Chemists in the UK. At least, it was sold to me as a Boots pacemaker 35LM. The name badge (13 x 18 mm) on the lower left of the front has fallen off and what remains could be the Pacemaker 35LM, … More Franka 125L (aka Boots Pacemaker 35LM)

Yashica 230-AF SLR camera

25th January 2017

This camera dates from 1987 and was not very successful commercially. It is at the transition from the ‘standard’ manual SLR camera that was usual at the time to the later fully automatic cameras that were usual by the end of the 1980s. Unfortunately for Yashica, their approach to automation was a developmental dead-end – … More Yashica 230-AF SLR camera

Voigtlander Brillant "TLR" camera

23rd November 2016

This is Voigtlander’s attempt to cash in on the Rolleiflex design. As well as this cheaper model, they also produced a much more expensive model called the Superba. This camera looks exactly like a TLR (Twin Lens Reflex) – and it is: it hs two lenses and the viewing lens is reflex; it looks via … More Voigtlander Brillant "TLR" camera

Cosina CSM

9th November 2016

As I have mentioned elsewhere in this blog, Cosina have an undeservedly poor reputation. In fact, in addition to their own designs made under their own name, they make cameras for the big-name camera companies. The Zeiss Ikon rangefinder was made by Cosina as are many Carl Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses. Cosina CSM This camera … More Cosina CSM

Descriptions of my growing collection of old cameras.