Cameras/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Kodak Jr 6.16 | 2/4/2012 | David Silver |
| Q: David, I read your answer regarding a similar Kodak bellows camera, so I supopose this old "family ... A: The Kodak Junior Six-16 is a simple amateur's folding bellows camera, made by Eastman Kodak in a ... | ||
| Leica model confusion | 2/4/2012 | David Silver |
| Q: I have a black Leica III serial number 146097. I got it from the original owner at least 25 years ... A: You're just a bit confused. This is clearly a Leica III (also marketed as the Leica Model F) made ... | ||
| Rolleiflex DBP 3.5F DBGM Camera in Leather Case | 2/2/2012 | David Silver |
| Q: Silver - My boyfriend found the Rolleiflex camera mentioned above in his Grandfather's camera ... A: Your Rolleiflex is a traditional medium format twin-lens-reflex camera, made by Franke & Heidecke of ... | ||
| Leica camera's - M4, M3, M2 | 1/31/2012 | David Silver |
| Q: I recently acquired 3 Leica cameras a DBP M2, DBP M3, And a DBP M4 all German made I know nothing ... A: Depending on exactly what variants you have and the lenses on them, yes, they might be quite ... | ||
| Camera equipment | 1/29/2012 | David Silver |
| Q: My mother and I are in possession of numerous boxes of old camera equipment that originally belonged ... A: Can I assume your intent is to liquidate the equipment? If so, I know it seems like a daunting ... | ||
| Looking for someone trustworthy to appraise many older cameras around either Oceanside or Massapequa, NY. | 1/19/2012 | David Silver |
| Q: We have recently inherited and good amount (100) of older cameras-too many for me myself to try to ... A: Ah, drat! I was just there this past weekend! An old fellow needed me to evaluate his collection, ... | ||
| Found camera | 11/15/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: David, I have googled a camera that we located whilst cleaning out our laboratory and have viewed ... A: I apologize for the delay in answering. My little cat Princess, 18 years old, went into sudden ... | ||
| Verification of replica Lewis dag camera | 10/9/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have a camera that appears to be a replica of the original Lewis-style daguerreotype model. The ... A: I made perhaps six Lewis style cameras altogether, and each was slightly different because they were ... | ||
| Pony Premo no. 2 | 10/6/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I work at the Art Gallery of Alberta, and we presently have a display of 19th century french ... A: That is the camera's "reflex" or "waist level" viewfinder. Open the camera for shooting, press the ... | ||
| Verification of replica Lewis dag camera | 10/4/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have a camera that appears to be a replica of the original Lewis-style daguerreotype model. The ... A: Oh my gosh, I'm 99% certain that's one of mine! Starting about 30 years ago, I made many many ... | ||
| cameras and worth | 9/28/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: i inherited about 40 cameras some are Leica cameras how can i tell what i have and how much they are ... A: You're in a very difficult situation, similar to what many other people are going through these ... | ||
| leitz wetzlar camera | 9/28/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have a Leitz Wetzlar camera no 224620 with a Summar 5cm f2 lens, no 4685135. Can you give me any ... A: Without seeing a picture of it to verify (these were often returned to the factory after the war for ... | ||
| Leica Camera Value | 6/6/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: Seeing in the news today that a rare Leica camera has been sold for more than a million has prompted ... A: Oh, boy. An original Leica O camera such as that one in the news, from the very first batch of 31 ... | ||
| Leica M3 with Summicron 1.2:50mm | 6/3/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I am in the possession of a single-wind Leica M3 with serial number 1007912 The lens is a Leitz ... A: Your Leica M3 and Summicron lens were made in 1960. The M3 is a very common 35mm coupled ... | ||
| 1950s Leica and Nikon cameras | 6/3/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: David, thanks for sharing your expertise. My brother and I have just inherited our mother's ... A: A black dial version of the Leica IIIf from 1952. Extremely common. Over 180,000 sold from 1950 to ... | ||
| Exectutor for an Estate | 5/14/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have suddenly become heir to the position of Executor of an Estate which has a modest collection ... A: Good Lord, you have your hands full! Being an executor is often a horrible thankless job! But ... | ||
| leica camera | 5/12/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have a number of pieces related to the M3 series. I am in the process of putting them up for ... A: Yes, that's a Leica I (A) (also marketed as the Leica Model A), a fairly simple 35mm viewfinder ... | ||
| 18x24 Leica Ernst Leitz Canada Ltd. Midland | 5/2/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: Serial Number: NR357407 Can you give me a range of value of this camera based upon condition of ... A: You made a very good purchase! Much depends on the exact model, overall condition, and the lens ... | ||
| My Uncles Leica | 4/23/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: Where is the model number and I also have an etra lense that is maybe a zoom-it's cone shaped- how ... A: Serial number 201152 is a Leica III, a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of ... | ||
| Switching from Film to Digital | 4/19/2011 | Abe |
| Q: I have been using a Pentax MX and ME Super for quite a few years now. I have come to love these and ... A: I use a Pentax ME Super as well, so I can understand why you plan to keep it. My suggestion is to ... | ||
| air craft camera ernst leitz | 4/18/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have a 35mm aircraft camera with 3 50 foot film cartridges may be full of pictures im not sure and ... A: There were many different models of Leica cameras requisitioned by the military branches of ... | ||
| My memory card.. | 4/8/2011 | Abe |
| Q: If you take pictures off your memory card..Can you put them back on the same memory card or what can ... A: Yes, you can. With the memory card still inserted into your computer, go to the file folder where ... | ||
| Buying a DSLR | 3/26/2011 | Abe |
| Q: After waiting several years I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy myself a DSLR and I ... A: The answer to your question depends on several factors, like your budget and and the type of ... | ||
| dallmeyer lens | 3/25/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: . there are 2 dallmeyer supersix f 1.9 f=2" and f 1,9 f=1" lenses that are in very good condition ... A: Well, in general, vintage cine equipment is painfully difficult to sell these days, due to the ... | ||
| Leica DRP Serial # 691xxx | 3/18/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: Summicron 5 cm F 2 lens. in Leather case. This camera looks about unused. How old it it? What is ... A: Serial number 691xxx should be a Leica IIIf, a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by ... | ||
| Antique camera | 3/3/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: Life Time 120 - I can't seem to find out anything about this camera. I obtained it in a lot with ... A: The Life Time 120 Synchro Flash camera is simply a re-badged Vagabond 120 Eveready Flash camera made ... | ||
| HP M525 | 3/1/2011 | Abe |
| Q: I have had this digital camera since I bought it new in 2006. I used it occasionally, and took very ... A: The camera shop person is incorrect. The only possible explanation, assuming the lens is very clean ... | ||
| Antique camera collection | 2/23/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: My husband has over 100 cameras that were in his grandfathers basement, some are from the mid ... A: You are not alone. More and more children and spouses of men from the "great generation" (ie. men ... | ||
| Leica | 2/23/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: Years ago I inherited a Leica Camera and now, another twenty years later, I found it again when I ... A: Serial number 135206 should be a Leica III (also known as the Leica Model F), a traditional 35mm ... | ||
| Early Ernst Leitz Camera | 2/16/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: We've recently inherited an early Ernst Leitz D.R.P. camera, serial number 52576. It has a 50mm lens ... A: That would be a Leica I, a simple 35mm viewfinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in 1931. A ... | ||
| Antique Leica 35mm | 2/8/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have an old Leica 35mm my dad purchased in the PX in Germany in 1954/55 era. It's in good shape ... A: Serial number 771057 is a Leica IIIf, a traditional 35mm rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of ... | ||
| Leica Ernst Leitz Wetzlar | 1/24/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: Hey David, I am cleaning out my grandfather's house and I found a Leica Ernst Leitz Wetzler Camera ... A: You have a Leica IIIf, a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in ... | ||
| Lieca camera and german leather case | 1/21/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have inherited a Leica camera with it's German leather case and a Kalart Compak Flash Unit...with ... A: Serial number 350991 should be a Leica IIIb, a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by ... | ||
| D7000 | 1/20/2011 | Abe |
| Q: actually the D7000 is also my first choice and I will wait for the price to drop further. Other ... A: The main distinction Nikon makes between these two camera - with the D7000's newer technologies ... | ||
| Early Model Leica | 1/19/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have an early model Leica, with a focal-plane shutter. Everything is in working condition from ... A: Serial number 228750 is most likely a Leica IIIa (also marketed as the Leica Model G), a traditional ... | ||
| Rolleiflex | 1/17/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I was given a Rolleiflex a few years ago and am looking to get an sense of how much it's worth. It ... A: That is most likely a Rolleiflex Automat (the last version of this series, with MX flash ... | ||
| Leica camera | 1/15/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: I have a Leica dbp Ernst Leitz gmbh Wetzlar Germany #770169 It has casein excellant condition. I ... A: Serial number 770169 is a Leica IIIf (so-called "red dial" version, with self-timer), a traditional ... | ||
| leica camera | 1/13/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: could you tell me the date and model of Leica camera No 311268 and possibly a rough idea of price. ... A: Serial number 311268 is probably a Leica IIIa (also marketed as the Leica Model G), a traditional ... | ||
| D7000, D300s or 7D | 1/13/2011 | Abe |
| Q: I have done a lot of research and compared between the D7000, D300s and the 7D but still feeling ... A: It's a pleasure to help you. Based on your needs, I would highly recommend the Nikon D7000 since ... | ||
| Old Camera | 1/13/2011 | David Silver |
| Q: My husband has a very old camera and we are curious about how old it is and if there may be any ... A: You have a Bessa 66, a traditional compact folding bellows camera, made by Voigtlander of Germany ... | ||
David Silver
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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