Rare cameras are a piece of history. They showcase not only how the manufacturers began their journey but also the time they were made. For some, these cameras were created over half a century ago, while others, while recent, showcase the innovative side of the company. Either way, owning a rare camera, for many, is an honor. If you are someone who wishes to keep a part of the past with them, then here is a look at the five cameras that are on sale right now. But you have to worry, there are many who want these cameras for themselves.
Noba 5×7 Portrait Camera
The Noba 5×7 is a studio camera originally produced by Espino Barros e Hijos S.A., a firm based in Monterrey. What’s interesting is that it was founded by Mexican photographer Eugenio Espino Barros y Rebouche and his sons. The company made large-format cameras from the 1940s until around 2003 and created cameras specifically for Mexican studios that needed affordable gear. The Noba 5×7, per Wikipedia, is the first model camera from the company. There are also bellows, which allow one to move the lens back and forth to adjust focus. Since it uses 5×7 film sheets, the images will be quite detailed and rich.
Konica Hexar Half Frame AF
Konica Hexar is an ideal, rare camera designed for street photography. The device comes with a 35mm f2 lens, and with this device, you don’t get 36 images per roll but rather 72. In other words, it’s a half-frame camera, which shoots only half a vertical frame at a time. The idea was originally put in place by Olympus Pen film cameras, as we reported earlier. But Konica is special as it has autofocus, and the film loading is advanced, and its rewind button is motorised. There is also a silent mode for those who want to be discreet.Â
Canon X-Ray CX-60
X-ray photography may have taken a special place in the artistic photography world today, and that’s why this rare Canon device is perfect for anyone practising it. The CX-60, as the title suggests, is an antique, dedicated X‑ray camera from 1946. The camera was made for small-scale examination, and like the CX-60, there was the CX-35, which was designed for large-scale use. The device comes with an X-Canon 100mm f1.5, and one usually uses this with 6×6 120 medium format film. The camera comes with a cut film holder for a single shot as well.
Nikon IÂ
One of the rarest cameras on this list, the Nikon I is the first-ever Nikon camera created by the company, which was formerly known as Nippon Kogaku K.K. What makes it so enticing is not that this is the first model, but how it was created in occupied Japan in 1948. The camera was inspired by Contax, a German Camera, and Nikon acquired the company later on, as well as Carl Zeiss lenses as part of war reparations. This foundation thus laid the beginning of Nikon. This model later on helped to build the M, S, and later, Nikon F series SLRs. Today, only a handful have survived.
Fujifilm TX-2Â
The Fujifilm TX-2 is a panoramic camera that was created in collaboration with Hasselblad. We have reported that the company is thinking of making a digital version of this, but there is no official report yet. The TX-2 is built on the TX-1, and it can shoot the standard 35mm format, as well as 24 × 65 mm panorama format. There is also auto film loading and rewind, as well as a reverse winding system. In addition, the device works with three lenses: 30mm, 45mm, and 90mm. In fact, you can also try shooting a triptych using this format. Ideal for landscape photographers, the TX-2 is truly a piece of art for many.
These rare cameras are quite exciting, and anyone who wants to make unique and different images must take a look at them. At least, there is no harm in knowing what’s on the market.