Some
Useful Resources for the Classic '70's Rangefinder Enthusiast
I've listed a few resources for the classic '70's compact 35mm rangefinder enthusiast below; while these are as updated as I can make them, please bear in mind that some information may have changed over time. This is by no means a complete listing, there are many more out there on the Internet, etc. I'll be happy to include any that you may find that are not on the list if you'll drop me a line via the home page to this site.
The Companies:
Konica Camera http://www.konica.com/
Canon, USA http://www.usa.canon.com/html/canonindex.html
Canon Museum http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/
This is an absolutely lovely, and wonderfully well designed web museum of Canon cameras, encompassing their complete history. A must see site, you'll truly enjoy a long visit there if you have an interest in any of their cameras.
Olympus America http://www.olympusamerica.com/
Clubs, Reference and
Information:
Steve Gandy's Camera Quest http://www.cameraquest.com/index.html
Steve Gandy's site is mentioned twice on this page, and for good reason: he is a top notch repair person specializing in all sorts of classic rangefinder cameras, he is a great starting point for buyers of these fine cameras, and the classic camera profiles on his web site are a must see for anyone seeking knowledge about an incredible range of cameras. Highly recommended! (He's also listed further down on this page under Repairs).
Matt Denton Photography http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/index.html
Matt Denton has a profile section on classic 35mm rangefinder cameras that is engaging and informative, with very nicely done photographs of each camera he reviews. A great first stop for anyone interested in acquiring a classic, '70's era 35mm rangefinder and wanting to learn about them first.
Dan Colucci's Antique Camera Web site http://members.aol.com/dcolucci
At first glance, Dan's beautifully designed and well laid out web site seems to be devoted exclusively to handmade, wood and brass, antique view cameras of classic vintage, but don't let that fool you. Look further and find that he has thoughtfully listed a wonderfully wide range of links to sites covering cameras of all types, makes and models. Of particular note are his references to classic Nikon, Konica, Olympus, Leica, Minolta and other rangefinder cameras, links to several excellent subminiature camera reference sites, a great compendium "book store" of links to some of the most desirable photographic and camera books in publication, repair links, etc. Dan publishes a monthly newsletter on his site, and can email it to you as well if you care to sign up for it, in addition to buying and selling cameras, and providing a camera identification service. This is definitely a gold mine for the researcher, an excellent jumping off point for a wealth of information about the classics…highly recommended!
Repair and Service
Organizations:
Repair Shop for Classic 35mm Rangefinders: Essex Camera Service http://www.essexcamera.com
Essex Camera Service repairs a huge range of cameras, including all of the classic '70's 35mm rangefinder cameras listed here, subminiature cameras and others as well. You can write to them at the address below, call or visit their web site. Please note this is not a camera sales shop, it is a repair facility only. Their service is fast, reliable, professional and very friendly.
Essex Camera Service
100 Amor Ave.
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
Phone: (201)-933-7272
Fax: (201)-933-7647
email: info@essexcamera.com Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 9AM-6PM, Sat: 10AM-4PM
Steve Gandy's Camera Quest http://www.cameraquest.com/index.html
Steve Gandy's site is mentioned twice on this page, and for good reason: he is a top notch repair person specializing in all sorts of classic rangefinder cameras, he is a great starting point for buyers of these fine cameras, and the classic camera profiles on his web site are a must see for anyone seeking knowledge about an incredible range of cameras. Highly recommended! (He's also listed further up on this page under Clubs, Reference and Information).
Phone: 818-879-1968 (in Los Angeles)
Email: LeicaNikon@Earthlink.net
Chuck Rubin Photographics: The Camera Rehab Centre http://www.camerarx.com/frames/index.html
Another, highly skilled and very reliable repair source for classic, '70's era 35mm compact rangefinder cameras, with reasonable prices as well. Give them a look…
1031 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
502-452-6171
10-6 EST Tue-Fri, 10-2 Sat
Purchase Books:
Petra Kellers' Photo/ACR Book Service www.camerabooks.com
This California based book store caters specifically to photography enthusiasts, with an inventory of over 600 photography specific books available. A wide range of photography books covering all types of camera formats, repair manuals, general guides, and a section specifically devoted to subminiature cameras are just part of this well designed web store. Excellent prices, enthusiastic and courteous service make this another invaluable reference source for the photographer.
Craig Camera http://www.craigcamera.com/
If you're looking for a photography book or a manual for a long since out of production camera, chances are you won't do better at finding it, and at extremely reasonable prices, than here. John is a true gentleman, extremely professional and courteous, and fast…and he takes cheques, major credit cards and PayPal! Highly recommended…
P.O.BOX 1637
TORRINGTON, CT 06790
Tel. (860) 496-9791
FAX: (860) 496-0664
Email: john@craigcamera.com
Batteries replacements, Adapters
and Miscellaneous Resources:
Battery Replacements for all types of Cameras www.photobattery.com
This company sells fresh replacements for discontinued or hard to find batteries for a variety of cameras and other photographic applications. Of special interest is the silver oxide S27PX battery replacement for Minox cameras and accessories (replaces the discontinued PX27 battery used in the Model C, LX, EC cameras and FL-4 flash cube gun) and the Lithium replacement for the PX30 battery (used in the Minolta QT cameras). Order on line with major credit cards; prices include free shipping in America, $1.00 to ship to Canada, $2.00 for airmail elsewhere. Email questions to sales@photobattery.com
Criscam Mercury Battery Replacement Battery Adapter Sleeves http://www.criscam.com/mba.htm
Kanto Camera Service Company, Ltd., in Japan, makes a wonderful line of finely made battery adapter sleeves to adapt currently available common batteries for use in equipment that requires discontinued or hard to find batteries. These adapter sleeves are sold by the American distributer, Criscam, from their web site. Of particular interest is the V27PX non-voltage regulating type for Minox cameras and accessories requiring the discontinued PX27 batteries (the voltage regulating model is not recommended for Minox cameras) which uses 4 SR-43 or equivalent button cell batteries. The MR9 model will allow the use of a S76 or equivalent button cell battery in the Minolta 16 MG-S camera (or anything else that requires a PX13 or PX625 battery), and includes an integral voltage regulation circuit buried in the finely machined aluminum adapter sleeve.
Blue Moon Camera and Machine http://www.bluemooncamera.com/
8417 North Lombard Street
Portland, Oregon 97203
voice: 503.978.0333
fax: 503.978.0370
Blue
Moon Camera and Machine has got to be one of the greatest single resources for
photographers in general, and subminiature enthusiasts in particular. These
people have an incredible array of resources they can tap to quickly track down
and make available to you some of the most arcane and innocuous accessories for
just about any photographic device ever made. Their on hand stock of cameras,
accessories and incredibly wide range of support supplies would amaze you. At a
time when many photo stores are no longer stocking the 50 sheet packs of Kodak
lens cleaning tissue because they don’t want to purchase a case lot of 200,
Blue Moon came through, as they did with a number of odd size “snap cap” lens
covers for 35mm compact rangefinder classic cameras that haven’t been made in
years, to name just a few things. They have the on site ability to process,
print, and enlarge both black and white or colour film, in such sizes as 110
Pocket Instamatic, 126 Instamatic, 127, 120 and 35mm film.
Blue Moon provides some of the friendliest and most professional contact you’ll find in photographic circles, and should be your first stop when trying to track down something you want. Although their web site is still under construction, it will be well worth looking in on every now and again to see it when it comes up: Blue Moon also has a wonderful variety of scientific items and apparatus that can best be described as “interesting and great fun!” Highly recommended.
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© Sep 2000 by D. Scott Young, all rights reserved