A camera like a cocktail shaker, in summer heat, beads of condensation

[RezaLoghme]

A few days ago, I came up with a dream of a camera in summer heat, in late 1950s Europe, maybe Biarritz or St Maxime, a mid-century high-rise appartment block with a cream facade and striped awnings, faded pastels, modern furniture, offwhite seagrass bamboo airmchairs, all reminiscent of Lora Lamm's style.

What camera? It needs to be chrome with some black. But then what? A Leica M2 with a chrome lense? An early 500C with a chrome lense? The early Bronicas? The early Canon rangefinders are too Messerschmidt-y, the boxy ones too midcentury-Tokyo-ish.

It cannot be black, and it cannot have a black lense. Digital could be ok, looking at recent Leica Ms in chrome. But not that "stealth" darth vader style, and not the black 1980s 35mm SLRs which always remind me of sweaty (fake) leather seats in an early BMW 7 series.

Pre-war cameras would be off the charts, and folders, TLRs (although: c33?) and anything with electronics.

Is it the M2 with its clean lines? Is it the resort-style collar in the world of cameras?

 

[Rick A]

Possibly a Mamiyaflex C, introduced in 1956, the C3 came out in 1962 and the C33 didn't happen until 1965. For medium format in Europe you probably would sport a Rollei TLR.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Yes, BUT...can you imagine a Mamiyaflex C dangling from Cary Grant's chest?
I think TLRs are off.

And for 1960s space age fantasies, the nice clean Japanese RFs with selen exposure meters look best, like an astronaut's buzzcut.

 

[Rick A]

Yes, BUT...can you imagine a Mamiyaflex C dangling from Cary Grant's chest?
I think TLRs are off.

And for 1960s space age fantasies, the nice clean Japanese RFs with selen exposure meters look best, like an astronaut's buzzcut.

Your OP stated late 50's now you're into the 60's. What's it gonna be.

 

[BrianShaw]

Your OP stated late 50's now you're into the 60's. What's it gonna be.

Shaken or stirred. Both condense differently.

 

[RezaLoghme]

This is about what I said in the OP, AND for 1960s space age fantasies (what this is not about), Japanese RFs etc etc.

Keep cool.
Like a cocktail shaker!

 

[Rick A]

I prefer frozen margaritas outta the blender, neither shaken nor stirred.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Having said that, a group of 1960s Japanese businessman in immaculate light grey Harrington jackets with Canonets around their neck, on the way to a golf course, is super cool.

 

[Rick A]

My name is Bond, James Bond.

 

[RezaLoghme]

so, as summer has arrived now - what is the ideal summer camera?

- must be chrome, with minimal leather covering
- RF ?
- maybe a folder, a rollie 35T or something equally compact
- since this is "mixed workflow", a Leica x2 in chrome m i g h t be ok, or even better, the moncler edition?

 

[pentaxuser]

Shaken or stirred. Both condense differently.

That's where the slightly less suave and sophisticated villain, impeccably dressed and oozing a kind of a dangerous charm and false bonhomie says with an indeterminate foreign accent over the Baccarat table : "So ( starting with a "Z", not an "S") we meet again, Mr Shaw"

pentaxuser

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

[A camera] for 1960s space age fantasies...

For me that is a Nikon F for the grounded and a motordrive Hassy with a 70mm back for the fly boys.

Personally, I had to make do with an Exakta - not anyone's vision of cold martinis around the pool at the Fontainbleau, watching Auric fiddle with his hearing aid.

 

[4season]

Pontiac Lynx II, once the black paint has worn away from the simulated fabric, which has a very attractive herringbone pattern. And then there's the Ducati Sogno (sigh, wish it wasn't so $). And Kowa SW? Tempting.