What was the MOST BEAUTIFUL camera?

Nathan King · Jul 12, 2015

The Kodak Retina has nice lines. If only the rangefinder wasn't so tiny!

Chrismat · Jul 12, 2015

'Number 1 has to go to the Pentax SV or H1a.'
+1

Also, the Pentax LX and the black Yashica GT.

Alan Gales · Jul 12, 2015

Gerald C Koch said:
I personally do not look at cameras as works of art. They are only tools. Does anyone look at electric drills as artistic? There is one exception and that was an old folder that had an art deco cover. Don't remember its name.

Not an electric drill but antique hand tools can be a thing of beauty. Some people collect them and hang them on their walls as art.

frank · Jul 12, 2015

No one has mentioned the Nikon SP rangefinder yet.

What ruins the Olympus OM1 for me is the huge asa dial.

What ruins the Pentax LX for me is the style of raised numbers on the shutter speed dial.

resummerfield · Jul 12, 2015

I think the most beautiful camera was the Kodak 620 or Bantam, with the black enamel and chrome plates. Perfect Deco styling!

Second place goes to the Pentax Spotmatic series. Very elegant!

Roger Thoms · Jul 12, 2015

This one's pretty! B&J Commercial View 5x7

Roger

cliveh · Jul 12, 2015

Black Leica II.

Les Sarile · Jul 12, 2015

I really like the industrial look of the Kodak Ektra -> [url]https://www.cameraquest.com/ektra.htm[/URL]

Marvin · Jul 12, 2015

For 35mm Nikon F5 but my Minolta X700 with motor drive is nice.

mrred · Jul 12, 2015

For the more modern feel, the f6 has it all. When i want to keep it simple it's a f2n.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

John Koehrer · Jul 12, 2015

I'm not sure about the first two replies for the Bantam but I suspect they're referring to the Bantam Special. There are two above definitely
referring to that camera.

Make it three(3) just for the special.

Maris · Jul 12, 2015

Beautiful? My Tachihara 810HD triple extension field view camera in Hokkaido cherry wood with gold anodised metal work. Not because I say it but because nearly every stranger who sees it for the first time says it.

GKC · Jul 12, 2015

The Deardorff V-8 made from re-purposed Prohibition era mahogany back bars. Also the Nikon F2 and the Rollieflex.
Beauty is as beauty does:munch:

frank · Jul 12, 2015

I like the steam punk-ish look of the Leica llla with its dials and levers.

fotch · Jul 12, 2015

Graflex Super D

Two23 · Jul 12, 2015

My vote would be a Thornton-Pickard Royal Ruby. For a modern camera, the 4x5 Ebony.

Kent in SD

mehguy · Jul 12, 2015

hasselblad.

darinwc · Jul 12, 2015

Linhof 70 ftw!

Theo Sulphate · Jul 12, 2015

frank said:
What ruins the Pentax LX for me is the style of raised numbers on the shutter speed dial.

What ruins the LX for me are the lugs on the front. I've never handled one, but I imagine feeling those lugs all the time would annoy me to no end.

resummerfield said:
I think the most beautiful camera was the Kodak 620 or Bantam, with the black enamel and chrome plates. Perfect Deco styling!

Yes, the Kodak Super 620 is a favorite - and prices for it today reflect that. Likewise with the Kodak Bantam Special.

Sirius Glass · Jul 13, 2015

mehguy said:
hasselblad.

+1

GRHazelton · Jul 13, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
What ruins the LX for me are the lugs on the front. I've never handled one, but I imagine feeling those lugs all the time would annoy me to no end.......

As an owner of THREE Pentax LX lovelies, the lugs are no impediment to the pleasure of its use. On the right hand of the camera one can fit either a pre-shaped grip, or carve one for your own personal pleasure. On the left hand of the camera a truly elegant strap of your choice can be attached via special fitments. BTW, if the pentaprism with a hot shoe should offend thee, one bereft of a hot shoe can be fitted.

BradleyK · Jul 13, 2015

My first Nikon, a black 1979 F2AS...

elcabezagrande · Jul 13, 2015

This one.

Yashica TL Electro X ITS with chrome Yashinon DX 50/2 by Mike Novak, on Flickr

elcabezagrande · Jul 13, 2015

Or one of these

The trifecta. Pentax H1a, H2, and H3v. by Mike Novak, on Flickr

Ricardo Miranda · Jul 13, 2015

frank said:
What ruins the Olympus OM1 for me is the huge asa dial.

That is an advantage in terms of practicality.
And it is a define design.

What was the MOST BEAUTIFUL camera?

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