A Warehouse Find: Kodak’s DCS Pro 14n
As they sift through donated cameras, preparing for the next PHSNE Auction at Photographica 89 (April 23, 2022 at Newton North High School in Newtonville, MA), the warehouse crew occasionally…
Minolta Maxxum 7000 — First 35mm All-Auto SLR
From time-to-time, PHSNE’s warehouse crew comes across an unusual camera as they sift through donations and prepare for auctions. One recent find was a Minolta Maxxum 7000, destined for Photographica…
Building a DIY Ur-Leica Replica
The December 2021 issue of Snap Shots featured an article about the Ur-Leica. Now PHSNE member Mark Kronquist has shared a story about building his own DIY Ur replica (above)….
The Ur-Leica: Primeval, Primitive, Original, Earliest Leica
The Ur-Leica, generally referred to as the original Leica, should actually be called Ur-Leitz since the Leica name wasn’t in use until 1925. The word Ur has German roots; English…
Minolta Weathermatic A: Colorful, Waterproof, Fun
Bright yellow was a popular color for waterproof electronics in the 1980s; the Sony Walkman is a prime example. Minolta followed suit with its bright yellow waterproof cameras, one “for…
Seagull 4BI: 6×6 TLR from Shanghai Seagull Camera Co.
China’s Shanghai Seagull Camera Co. has produced over 20 million cameras since its inception in 1958. The line includes high-quality models on a par with well-known and highly rated comparable…
Nikon N4004: An Early Autofocus Film SLR
A PHSNE member’s collection boasts a Nikon N4004, the North American version of the Nikon F-401. Introduced in 1987, it was one of Nikon’s earliest models designed for novices. Its…
Leica R4: A Leitz-Minolta SLR Collaboration
A PHSNE member is thrilled with the newest acquisition to his collection, a Leica R4. “The Leica R4 family of Leica 35mm SLR cameras was launched in 1980. The initial…
The Pioneering Sony Mavica: Video and Stills on Video Floppy Discs
In August 1981, Sony unveiled a prototype of the Sony Mavica as the “world’s first electronic still camera.” The Mavica (Magnetic Video Camera) was a brand of Sony cameras which…