My collection

My collection was established only a few years ago in the beginning of 2004. After suffering from several heart attacks, the doctors ordered me to go for long walks, and to get some serious exercise. So I thought about what possibly could motivate me to get out in all kinds of inhumane Danish weather, and I got the idea that I could bring a camera on my walks, and thus revive my old hobby. I had retired my banged up old Rolleicord, and began looking for its successor. For the first time in my life (and maybe the last I thought at that time), I decided to buy the camera that I had always wanted, a Leica M2 with an Elmar, a Summaron and a 90mm Elmar (second hand that is). I am sure I could hear my old mentor Fritz whisper in my ear “Go on, buy it Simon! It’s the only camera you’ll ever need,”    

Of course, I fell in love with this beautiful German icon immediately, and of course I didn’t go for any walks with it. A Leica in my neighbourhood? No Ma’am!. No, no certainly not !. Instead I became so "hooked on classics" that I started to collect other German cameras. I was truly curious about whether other German “ladies” were just as appealing and charming. I remembered all the recommendations and advices my father gave me when I was a teenager and babbled on about those japanese "wonders", and some 30 years later I decided to follow his advice. Apart from the Leica M2, my collection was founded with the cameras he always praised, Rolleiflex, Rollei 35 and Kodak Retina  After shooting a few rolls of film with these cameras I was fully convinced. This was going to be a long lasting love affair.   

Of course collecting cameras is always somewhat limited by the history in any country, and will depend on which cameras actually have been sold and marketed in the specific country and area. As far Denmark concerns it has been mainly Agfa, Kodak, Zeiss Ikon and Voigtländer, and mostly low and medium priced cameras. By driving hundreds and hundreds of kilometres to visit flea markets and garage sales, and by visiting antique shops all over Copenhagen I rather quickly got together a nice collection of Voigtländer Vito’s and Vitomatics, and of course quite a few of those superbly made Nagel folding Retinas.   

I have no intention of collecting all makes, models and/or variations. For me there is no point in collecting that way. In some cases I choose a few models that I actually fall in love with, that are representative and they alone will represent the specific manufacturer and their work and design. Also I don’t collect any cameras that I actually don’t use, and all cameras in my collection are fully functional or in some cases under restoration. 

With some well chosen exceptions, all cameras are german. I do own a selection of japanese cameras, and to me they quite sufficiently represent japanese camera design. The truth is, that out of the japanese policy of shameless copying western designs, did in fact come many really good and excellent cameras.  Of course every camera collections should also include the austrian Eumigetta I, and my collection is no exception ;-). Also I own a few russian cameras and lenses which I actually would recommend to beginners who are considering to buy Leica, but are not sure if this is what they really want and need. Finally my collection includes a few cameras that I own simply for sentimental and nostalgic reasons. My fathers Bauer 88 B is a good example, and the only 8mm film camera I own.

A tribute

Sharing my collection on this website is also my personal tribute to both pre-war," mid-war" and post-war German craftsmanship. It is my way of paying hommage to the thousands of engineers and workers that for more than 100 years have designed and produced cameras and equipment that have set the standards even for todays photography. The quality, the ingenuity, the designs and solutions have truly been remarkable; almost as remarkable as the passion, workmanship and the professional pride that have been put into the making of most of the German cameras. 

The pre-war German engineering skills and talents, combined with innovative ideas have in many ways set the standards for technology even to this day, and not only when it comes to cameras and photographic equipment. For example; did you know that the German Auto-Union as early as 1939 designed and built a race car powered by a 12 cylinder engine fitted with a double compressor, providing 485 HP, max RPM at 10000 and a top speed of 313 km/h ?. M

Please consider this: Almost the entire German camera industry was totally destroyed during the II world war, and not only the production facilities, tools and machines but also when it comes to human ressources that were lost as casualties either as military or civilian victims and participants.  None the less german camera industry rose remarkably quickly from the ashes and the most wonderful designs came out of the late 40's and 50's. Even after suffering from a setback leaving them just with a pile of rubble they still continued to set the standards for photographic equipment. That calls for some respect. I have only the greatest respect for the German people, their ingenuity and determination.

If you wish, please watch my small video "Dresden 1945". It's a huge 18 mb file so be patient !

Criterias

Price and value are not at all the essential and most important criterias to me when collecting cameras. There are also very important parameters such as "user value", specific purposes of use and f.e. interesting and/or alternative designs. However I can't deny, that quality to some extend means quite a lot to me when choosing a camera, but the most important thing is the feeling I get from looking, handling and using the camera. Owning the most expensive and advanced top class camera in the world does not automatically means perfect photographs. It's all about the person using the camera.  OK let's be honest about it; there ARE some satisfaction in owning f.e. a Contax II, a Rolleiflex or a Leica because it leaves you with the assurance that it doen't get better than that technically, and the rest is up to you. No excuses left. Finally it is quite useful to own one of those Leicas, Rolleis or Contaxes as a rock solid reference for comparison purposes.  

Soon You will also be able to visit my "other ladies", the Asian Geisha's, on a separate section of my website. Of course I have been tempted by these alluring Asian beauties, and I also wish to share this "fetish" with all of you out there. This section of my website includes some very modern cameras, and to me it is important that You know that when I praise and prefer f.e. a 1928 Leica or a 1960's Voigtländer is IS in fact because I actually buy, use an evaluate modern equipment at the same time.  But often it turns out, that the totally manual oldtimers are right up there on the list when you're talking performance and end-results.  Having said that, there is no reason to close one's eyes to the more modern classics..

What does the future bring ?

So what does the future hold for analogue cameras and analogue photography ?. Are there any future at all ?. Well as the danish cartoonist and humourist Storm Petersen once said: "Its hard to make predictions, especially about the future", but I will stick my neck out and make a prediction anyway. Yes, there are a future for the analogue camera, and especially for the true classic mechanical camera. Let's take a look at the watch industry for a moment. Many watchmaking companies did not survive the "quartz age", but some did, f.e. the world famous A. Lange & Söhne in Glashütte Germany which were established in 1845. They continue to this day to design and manufacture mechanical watches of the highest standards, and allthough their watches are extremely expensive they are in high demand and sought after. Did you know, that the inner frame of a Lange & Söhne watch are being handpolished and prepared by one designated worker, and that this process of polishing the frame takes 3 full weeks ?. They make their watches without being influenced by the wims of fashion. The trend these days are clearly, that people WANT to own objects of high quality, great beauty and of lasting value. Luckily we still have Leitz and also Rollei to some extend, but my prediction are, that there are room for yet a couple of small manufactures of totally mechanical analogue cameras, if anyone dared to invest in the right project, but they would have to be of outstanding quality, handbuilt in Europe and not of mediocre "assembly-line" standard. In the coming years we will experience, that especially younger people will want to own a f.e. a classic Leica or a vintage Contax. You mark my words ;-).  

Famous last words

I have deliberately chosen not to collect American cameras. The main reason for this is (of course) that they, in my opinion, are nothing worth collecting. Should I change my mind for some reason, I would make an exception with the Graflex Speed Graphic (wasn’t that really a German design?).  In my opinion the biggest, and most important American contribution to history, is still the Zippo lighter, and that design was in fact and basically Austrian. No, the sandwich was an english invention, and the hamburger was "invented" by german immigrants. Need I say more ?. American industry and the American corporate way of thinking, and making priorities have almost always been based on and controlled by 3 factors;  stock value, maximum interest to shareholders and profit. That philosophy doesn't leave much room for quality without compromises, passion and continuity.   

I don’t really think that there are two collectors that collects in exactly the same way, and with exactly the same preferences and priorities. And this is really the way it should be. This multitude only contributes to a dynamic network of entusiastic people, each and evryone with their individual knowledge and experiences. This can only be positive in all aspects.    

So please enjoy exploring my little collection, share my passion and my many love affairs, Please remember, that any comments, additional informations and corrections are truly very very welcome.
 

Please explore my collection by using left side menu

All photos of the collection are taken using Samsung L85 Digimax at 3 MP's

8,1 MP's Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan with 5x optical zoom

Some sample photos were scanned using Canon MP 150 flatbed at 300 dpi