The Worlds First Consumer Autofocus Camera

Konica C35 AF

Konica seemed to be really pushing the boundaries of their cameras and film starting in the 1960s. Over the next 30 years, Konica consistently brought out incredible and impressive products, one of the most important was released in the late 70s. This was the world’s first consumer autofocus camera, the 1977 Konica C35 AF.

The Shape of the 90s

Pentax Zoom 105-R

A small portion of the 1990s point and shoot scene was dedicated to the higher end; in terms of features more than its namesake. DLX (Deluxe) was the moniker used by Olympus, but Pentax managed to release a comparable camera within this style. This was the 1991 Pentax Zoom 105-R.

The First Japanese Disc Camera

Minolta Disc-5

Minolta was the first Japanese company to jump on board and release their own Disc cameras. The more advanced model gets the most press for a few firsts but was the same camera internally as the lesser talked about 1983 Minolta Disc-5.

The Second Samoca Attempt

Samoca 35 II

The Samoca 35 series of cameras stretched on for around a decade, starting in the early 1950s. Five direct models were produced, with a handful of later released spinoffs adding meters, a rangefinder, and even a fully focusing TLR. However, the humble start to it all was the Samoca 35, a somewhat standard camera with an eye out for the lower end market. An updated model was released a year later, adding a few features and updating the design. This was the 1953 Samoca 35 II.

The 3.8 Fuji Wonder

Fuji DL-120

Toward the end of 1984, Fujica shortened its name to Fuji and started the incredibly successful DL camera lineup. One of the earlier entry level autofocus models to come out was the 1987 Fuji DL-120.

The Autofocus Update

Keystone Everflash AF2

Starting in the early 1970s, the Keystone Everflash series was the first to bring a built-in electronic flash to many film formats of the day. Spanning 126 to 110 and even Polaroid. In 1985, updating the original AF camera’s design and mechanics, the Keystone Everflash AF2 was released.

The Third Tower

Sears Tower Reflex III

As the photographic side of Sears was starting to grow, they decided to rebrand three German TLR cameras in the Photina line. In 1953, Sears imported and rebranded the Photina II as the Tower Reflex III.

The Memo Rangefinder

GAF Memo 35 EE

In the late 1960s, Ansco changed their name to GAF and for around 20 years and began rebranding a variety of Chinon, Ricoh, and Petri cameras. One such camera to be rebranded was a small auto exposure rangefinder from Chinon. This was the 1971 GAF Memo 35 EE.

The First but Forgotten

Hanimex 35 Reflex Flash

Not afraid to bring over anything that would be a new product for the American market, Hanimex looked to a unique SLR camera originally from Fuji in the late 1970s. This was to be the 1979 Hanimex 35 Reflex Flash.

The Auto Only CS

Cosina CS-2

There are few companies that have an exciting history like Cosina. After the initial Cosina SLR, the Hi-Lite and its various redesigns, the next big SLR series to be released was the Cosina CS line. Out of this new lineup, there was one aperture priority only model. This was the 1978 Cosina CS-2.

The Argus Pocket Perfection

Argus Pocketpak 5000

In the late 1960s, Argus stopped creating cameras of their own and started rebranding other cameras and licensing their name out. One such camera was a short lived 110 scale focus camera to come out sometime in the mid to late 1970s, the Argus Pocketpak 5000.

The Electric 28

Samoca EE-28

As the 35 and its multiple variations started to show their age, Samoca tried their hand at few more camera designs in the 1960s. One such new design was the 1962 release of the Samoca EE-28.

The Russian Leica II Update

KMZ Zorki S

Commonly referred to as the Zorki C due to the Cyrillic S, the Zorki S was the first in the Synchro series of cameras produced at the KMZ factory in 1955.

The Unknown Positive Microfilm

An Unknown Positive Microfilm

As film prices have risen recently, people have been looking for cheaper alternatives of film to choose from. Closely resembling Kodak 2468, this stock was found without markings of any sort in a bulk loader. This is the experimentation of an unknown microfilm and the goal to get an image to show.

The One of a Kind View

Ricoh TLS 401

While a large majority of the Singlex TLS line found their way into other retailer’s hands for rebranding, Ricoh decided to keep the most unique model to themselves. A large departure from the standard TLS series, the Ricoh TLS 401 was released to the public in 1970.

The Imitation TLR

Spartus Full-Vue

Within the myriad of cheap cameras to come out of the same factory in Chicago, the first in a line of imitation TLR cameras was the late 1940s Spartus Full-Vue.

The Simple German 4x4

Bilora Bella 44

Bilora created simple cameras made from quality materials starting in the 1930s for the European market. One such camera to get a handful of variations in the west, was the 1958 release of the Bilora Bella 44.

The Subminiature Professional

Rollei A110

Bringing quality and craftsmanship to the forefront, the first entry for Rollei into 110 cameras debuted only two years after the film formats introduction to the public. This camera was the 1974 release of the Rollei A110

The All Manual Lo-Fi Look

Halina Paulette EE II

A decade or so into the injection molding business model for Haking, they released a ‘higher end’ model to their line of scale focus cameras in the mid 1970s, the Halina Paulette EE II.

The Pocketable Perfection

Minox 35 GL

When you think of Minox the classic sub-miniature cameras or spy cameras the first camera that come to mind. First sold in stores in 1975 as the world's smallest full-frame 35mm camera, the Minox 35 was a revolutionary step in camera design.