AboutDavid Silver 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:
Expert: David Silver Date: 2/23/2005 Subject: Old cameras
Question My father left me a Minolta-16, and I would like to know if the film for this camera is still available, as well I would like to know if there might be an owners manual.
My father also left me a camera thats in a black box, the only name I can find on the camera is Graflex, it looks as though it uses plates to take the pictures. I would like to know if you have any information on this camera or where I might find the information. There is no book or manual with this camera. Any information would be nice.
Thank you
M. Massine
Answer Hello,
The Minolta 16 series of cameras was a popular type of "subminiature" made by Minolta of Japan from 1950 through the mid 1970's. There are MANY different models. The best place to find an instruction manual is this web page:
John Craig has the largest selection of instruction manuals for vintage cameras in the world. If you can figure out what model you have, let me know and I may have a copy of the manual that I can provide to you at half his price, but I don't have as complete a selection as John.
As for the film, yes, it's still available, BUT you need to find it in Japan! Some big photographic supply stores in the United States occasionally stock it (like the big discount stores in New York), but there isn't much of a demand for it here. These 16mm subminiature cameras went out of fashion in the 1970's when the pocket instamatics came on the scene. Japan is the only place the film is still made. Not very convenient, but it is still out there.
Graflex cameras were made for over 70 years, and there are dozens and dozens of different models in several different sizes and shapes! Most are common, some are not, many are still valued as studio cameras, others are purely collectible, and all are fascinating pieces of machinery. I can't tell you a thing about yours without knowing what model it is. That means you'll need to figure out how to open it up into shooting position, and either tell me whatever names you can find printed on it somewhere OR get a single good JPEG digital image to me so I can look at it for you. No other way. There's too darn many of the things out there, and values are all over the map! It's worth your time to do this, so feel free to get back to me when you can.
