Photography Museum: Cameras

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I don’t consider myself a camera collector. I buy cameras to take pictures with them. When it’s time to upgrade, I do so generally do so because newer technology has far out-classed my current camera and/or my photographic needs have changed. Lenses tend to have a much longer useful life than camera bodies and interchangeable lens cameras outlast fixed lens models.

I am by nature a sentimental person (or maybe I have inhereted something of my grandfather’s hoarding habits) and so when a camera is retired from primary use I keep it in my collection. Photography is essentially about memories after all. Some people treat cameras like socks—buying, trading, discarding—without so much as a thought. I can’t do that.

To the average person, the list below might constitute a great number of cameras, but keep in mind that it represents, at this point, a 35 year journey in image making. The term “photography enthusiast” exists for a reason.

I’ve grouped the cameras by type as that seemed the most logical. Within types, the cameras are generally sorted chronologically in the order of acquisition. I cross-reference other cameras where necessary. I also mention lens and other equipment acquisitions relative to each camera if relevant.

35mm Film Cameras

Digital ILC Cameras

Digital Compact Cameras

Large Format Camera

Toyo-Field 45 AX

Toy Cameras

Lomo LC-A
Lomo Colorsplash
Lomo Smena Symbol
Lego Digital Camera
Plastic Toy Camera