Classic analog film(movie) camera as art object?

58mm Rokkor

58mm Rokkor

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I would like to buy a "classic" film/movie camera as a "bought on a whim" art object. Needs to be affordable and functional. I have never shot movie film before and I do not intend to get into this arena. I would like to try a reel or two though. Just for fun.

I guess this might help: I am looking for the equivalent of this typewriter. I always wanted an old manual typewriter, not that I actually use it much. But I found one for a great price in perfect condition. Paid $50. It makes a great photo prop...

underwood.jpg


So, I am looking for the same kind of thing in a movie camera: classic looks, high "coolness" factor and affordable.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
I would suggest getting one of these, it is Cine Kodak Special II if you want that kind of look and don't want to spend outrageous collector camera prices.


CineKodakSpecialII.jpg
 
No problem. I love industrial design also and love camera design. Now, I don't know about shooting with one of those though. I THINK that is uses a proprietary re-usable metal magazine film system, that would be a pain in a** to get working now, if not impossible. However, they look great don't they. If you are into it, I would also suggest going on to eBay and perusing used 8mm film cameras. I mean the ones before Super 8mm, which is a format called "Regular 8mm", "Standard 8mm" or also "Double 8mm". From a pure industrial design stand point some of these cameras are absolutely beautiful. That format is completely dead for production so they are cheap, and I would not pay over $20 for one, put I have a couple, just as paperweights and conversation pieces, and I love them. I am going to go to eBay and see if I can find some as examples. I will post them for you.
 
Interestingly enough there is this local Craigslist ad today:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pho/1911645510.html

$200 which sounds OK. I see eBay prices are more in the $400 range. I would need to see one first though.

But I would like to see other samples for around $50 or so.

My father-in-law gave me his classic Leica IIIF with self timer in perfect condition. I since paid for a full cleaning, lube and calibration service with a new range finder mirror. To my mind this is THE "camera as art object". Wonderful design. It also takes nice pictures.

I will check into the systems you recommend. I definitely do not want any plastic stuff from the 1970's...
 
Oh no, the "Regular 8mm cameras" stopped being produced when Super 8mm was introduced in 1965. Those prices for the Cine Kodak Special II is kind of surprising. It may have past into the collectible realm. They are from the 1930s, and I can't think that anyone would think that they are an actually useable camera. I may be wrong about the magazine system and if they do take daylight loading spools, which are available today, they would be a very cool camera to play around with, for sure. You can shot get 100' of 16mm bought, processed and transferred to HD for around $200.00, give or take. Of course not something to make a habit of, but cool for VERY special shoots, and doing it with a 70 year old camera would have some serious MOJO.... of course, 16mm runs, at 24fps, at 40 ft/min so a 100' spool would give you 2.5 minutes!
 
Here is a Deco one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-REVERE-EIGHT-MODEL-70-MOVIE-CAMERA-/180547947282?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_500wt_1154

50's Functional

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-WOLLENSAK-8mm-Movie-Camera-/160469371647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_1465wt_913

Streamlined.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Eumig-16mm-Movie-Camera-/290465798488?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_500wt_1154

Late '50's, early '60's Japanese Futurama functional.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FANTASTIC-JAPANESE-MANSFIELD-8mm-MOVIE-CAMERA-NEAR-MINT-/110574439075?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_2288wt_1139

OMG, Soviet Era Functionalism, with Futurama elements.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Russian-movie-camera-Quartz-2x8C-3-2-8-3-/170528201822?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_500wt_1154

Pure '60s.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Movie-Camera-8MM-Vintage-/320576988822?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_500wt_1154
 
How about an industrial design train wreck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Sears-Tower-Model-T-185-Movie-Camera-8mm-/180548228465?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_500wt_1154

Ditto:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VTG-BELL-HOWELL-PERPETUA-ELECTRIC-EYE-MOVIE-CAMERA-/260651834489?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_4815wt_913

Then you find these "Lots".

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-Vintage-Movie-Camera-Revere-Argus-Kodak-Sekonic-/160469319554?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_6926wt_1139

Very '50's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-VINTAGE-8EE-HANIMEX-ZOOM-DELUXE-MOVIE-FILM-CAMERA-/310213320665?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_505wt_913

60's Japanese functionalism.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Fujica-Single-8-P1-Movie-Camera-Parts-Prop-Use-/230479252400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_2131wt_1209

More pure 60's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Argus-Super-8-Movie-Camera-Parts-Repair-Prop-/370246187328?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_2254wt_1209

50's Modernism.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Kodak-Zoom-8-Reflex-Automatic-8mm-Movie-Camera-/380259217194?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_1238wt_1002

Ahh, and finally, one of my favorite camera designs, the Bolex Macro cameras. The BEST example of '60's Futurama design in a Super 8mm camera. You can still shoot with these, if you get one that is working, and be the coolest f***er around.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAILLARD-BOLEX-160-SUPER-8-MOVIE-CAMERA-MACRO-/250685426115?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0#ht_1771wt_1139

Well there are over 90 more pages of movie cameras for sale on eBay. Enjoy.
 
Sorry for reigniting this bad habit!

Some cool stuff there. I like the look of the 16mm Bolex cameras but some of the prices I see are high. Very interesting though.

I knew a guy who had a thing for antique wooden tripods. All kinds of stuff can be collectible, no?

I am mainly a stills shooter who dabbles in video. Actually I am a moderator at cinema5d but that whole site has been hacked maybe? Anyways I was the guy who started many users on a quest to buy the Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 lens (which converted to the EF mount makes a great fast optic.)

Thanks for your research and suggestions David...
 
Hell, if you've got some cash you can get an entire moviecam super america 35mm camera... it's what they shot movies like 'Alien' with. Very amazing 1980's... hence 'super america'! Although built much later, it has a certain '2001 Space Odyssey' look to the design. Pretty cool. Some really old 35mm cameras might look cool too... try Mitchell cameras or Akely's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Moviecam-Super-...5D-Varicam-Arri-/250682358009?pt=Film_Cameras
 
Last edited:
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
Hell, if you've got some cash you can get an entire moviecam super america 35mm camera... it's what they shot movies like 'Alien' with. Very amazing 1980's... hence 'super america'! Although built much later, it has a certain '2001 Space Odyssey' look to the design. Pretty cool. Some really old 35mm cameras might look cool too... try Mitchell cameras or Akely's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Moviecam-Super-...5D-Varicam-Arri-/250682358009?pt=Film_Cameras
Click to expand...

Wow, while I am not sold on the MovieCam as an "Object de art", that price is amazing. That current bid price is lower than I paid for my first SD DV video camera, a Canon XL-1, sh*t, RPO.... With those Speed Panchros, and that camera you could be in the photo-chemical DP ranks right now, and only have to eat PB&J sam'iges and Ramon noodles for a couple of months. Dude, I would sign ditto on your ASC recommendation for sure... (shaaaa like THAT would mean anything.... ). LOL!!
 
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