Photographica 2025
For those that don’t know - London’s annual Photographica Camera Fair is like a dream for users and collectors alike. Literally thousands of old analogue cameras to spend hours browsing through, with everything from cheap plastic compacts to Leica’s and really special cameras.
Here are my purchases from this years fair…
Minolta 110 Zoom SLR
I had never even considered buying one of these, but with a £10 price ticket, it looked really interesting. Having recently used the Pentax Auto 110 and really enjoyed the format it seemed like a no brainer to pick up. Unfortunately there is an issue, the metering works, but shutter won’t fire. Further investigations needed.
AGFA Isolette
I had seen the very similar Ansco Speedex camera before with it’s red shutter button and quite liked the look, and at £5 this excellent condition AGFA was snapped up. It is a simple 120 camera that can be used as either 6x6 or 6x4.5. The camera is the first version of the Isolette made from 1937-42 marked Jsolette. It was nicknamed “The Soldiers Camera”, probably for it’s simplicity and compactness - this one certainly doesn’t look like it ever saw active duty. The shutter was stuck open, but a strip down and clean of the shutter blades sorted it out.
Sumida Apollo 120
One thing I enjoy about browsing these fairs is finding stuff you have never even heard of before - This Japanese Sumida Optical Works Apollo 120 6x4.5 folder was produced in the late 1940’s and still in perfect working order. I bet there won’t be many digital cameras that can say that in 70+ years time.
Zorki 4K
I have wanted a Zorki 4K for years, but never actually bought one. In the last couple of years the prices seemed to go up beyond what was justifiable to pay to probably only use once. This bargain 1978 example is in really good condition albeit the slow shutter speeds are slow, but that’s fine, I’ll just shoot it in the daytime.
Edixa Prismat CDS
Doesn’t it look good in black? With a silky smooth shutter and working perfectly, I can overlook the ding on the top of the prism! I have not been a fan of the Zebra lens, but on a black body I can see the appeal. I’ve never been that bothered finding mint examples of cameras, and would rather get a cheaper one with flaws as they are to use - not look at.
??
No idea what this one is! But I like it! It is amazing what you find rummaging through boxes. There is a metal film cassette in the back marked Kodak Verichrome and looks to take 6.5x9cm sheet film. The shutter is working, and bellows look good so surely there is nothing stopping it being used. I wonder if strips of 120 film will fit into that cassette? I will have to dig out my McKowen’s Vintage Camera book and see if it’s in there as Mr Google isn’t helping!
Canon AF35ML
My final purchase was this absolutely gorgeous little Canon AF35ML. Looking much better after a good clean this morning, and considerably cheaper than the other one I saw, it works perfectly and is just a joy of Eighties design. It looks quite chunky in pictures, but it is not - it’s small, solid and a f1.9 lens! What more could you ask for? Well, maybe a quieter motorwind, but hey.
Now all that is left to do is use them all before next year when the Camera Fair fun happens all over again!