Which cameras are set to become "classics"?

[JohnArs]

Nikon FM2, Nikon F5, Nikon D800

Cheers Armin

 

[h.v.]

FILM:
Nikon FG, F100, F5 or F6
Minolta Autocord, Maxxum 7000
Yashica Mat 124 *
Pentax K1000 *, Spotmatic
Konica Hexar
Voigtlander Bessa *
Fuji GA645
Mamiya 7II
Rolleicord, 35
Olympus OM-1

DIGITAL:
Nikon D1, D40 or D50, D90, D800
Canon EOS Mark (any)
Fuji X100 **, XPro-1 **
Leica M9
iPhone

* Aren't these already classics?
** Already look like classics

Edit: Some of these aren't 35mm.

 

[dreamingartemis]

-I'd argue for the Nikon FM3a - its hybrid shutter control makes it both a fully mechanical camera not reliant on batteries to do its thing AND a modern AE-equipped, electronic shutter control MF camera.

That aside, the build quality is terrific, handling is great and the built-in center-weighted meter works very well.

Yup, the FM3a is likely to become a classic somewhere down the line. (I guess one can argue that it already IS a classic, albeit a very recent one!)

Amen!

 

[dreamingartemis]

Okay here is my take for 35mm

Nikon F4s even though I use F6 but the F6 is too much like a digital camera.
For total manual, Nikon Fm3a (needle metering is nice during the day but not at all useful at night) or Nikon fm2n (loved the LED lights used for metering, works wonder at night)

For *GASP* digital, it would be
D700 (it still qualifies for 35mm right?).

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Nikon D800

DIGITAL:
Nikon D1, D40 or D50, D90, D800
Canon EOS Mark (any)
Fuji X100 **, XPro-1 **
Leica M9
iPhone

For *GASP* digital, it would be
D700 (it still qualifies for 35mm right?).

No Sir, it doesn't qualify as 35mm. 35mm is a type of film.
None of them are 35mm film cameras and this forum is for Analogue Photography and that means Film.
BTW, I agree with the Nikon F4 as being classic. It is already as it is over 20 years old. And I have 2 of them!

 

[BrianL]

All 35mm cameras will eventually become classics but, fewer will become collectibles. Classic, vintage and antique relate to age rather than value but, sadly we tend to confuse the claassification with value.

As for future collectibles, there are the obvious such as Leica but I suspect at some point the East German and Russian cameras will become collectibles in the west and possibly some of the Chinese offerings more because of rarity than quality. Also, pre-wwII period German offerings from some of the lesser companies as well as early post wwII models.

I'm going out on the limb here but suspect the Pentax K-1000 and the Yashica FX-3 series, especially the Super will become collectible. Also the slr models being made today; can not remember the company making most of them but, getting the entire series of their offerings seems like an interesting goal, along with both their stock lenses and possibly the better offerings they make.

Minox of any film type is also on the ptential list imho. While the values are depressed on the 9.5mm series, I think there is pressure building now that Monox seems to have finally withdrawn the LX as a useer and only issuing specials and commemeratives. The 35mm models are getting more notice lately and starting to get more positive press from owners and users and I've been noticing a slight uptick in prices.

Others that are obvious include niche market sereis such as 1/2 frame cameras. I had an extensive collection I had paid about $5 for each camera that I eventually traded for my Bronica set. Along, with my Exacta collection and I think the Exactas will continue to rise as more persons today seem to be realizing just ow good they were and how few are around in excellent condition; it was a real user camera. Then add the Alpas, Robots, Tessinas and others of similar ilk and provided your kids live long enough, they might be able to retire.

If nothing else, a large camera collection takes a lot less room to accumulate than an automobile collection or a collection of old stereo gear.

 

[h.v.]

^ Isn't every Leica aside from the ones still being manufactured considered "classic" and "collectible?" Interesting observation about East German and Eastern European cameras. I agree they could have a future appeal, maybe not like a classic Brownie or Leica or Nikon F or AE-1 or Rolleiflex, but definitely in a more kitschy way.

No Sir, it doesn't qualify as 35mm. 35mm is a type of film.
None of them are 35mm film cameras and this forum is for Analogue Photography and that means Film.
BTW, I agree with the Nikon F4 as being classic. It is already as it is over 20 years old. And I have 2 of them!

Not sure why you quoted me, I already acknowledged they weren't 35mm cameras. Of course, you left out quoting the MF cameras, I'm guessing because they are film cameras (could be wrong). I was initially just thinking of future classics in general, most of the ones were 35mm anyways.

 

[lxdude]

the Minolta Autocord.

A nice camera, though it didn't have auto and lacked a cord...

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

h.v.
Please read the post before mine: there's a question there, which I answered and quoted other posts to illustrate my answer.

 

[Moopheus]

+1
Usually, what turns classic is what you see alot of. Instamatics, Brownies, Canon 300D will mostlikely be more of classics then Pentax 67 or Linhof technicas or Leica m2. Because most people wouldn't be able to pick them out in a lineup.

Obviously, "classic" is kind of a vague term that can cover a lot of ground. A thing can be classic because it was popular at the time, and hence still recognizable today, or innovative in some way (which might not necessarily mean actual invention but making invention useful), or setting a standard for quality. But the thing still has to be valued today for these attributes. I can see why some might say the Argus C3, because it was significant in introducing 35mm to the masses in the US, but hardly anyone actually wants one now. They pile up in antique stores and flea markets for $5 each.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Leica rangefinder cameras
Canon rangefinder cameras
Nikon rangefinder cameras
Nikon Fx
Minolta SLRs
Rolleis
Hasselblad V Series
Graflex
Graphic
Linhof
Sinar
Toyo

 

[benjiboy]

No one has yet on this thread defined what a classic is, and everyone has their own opinion so it's whatever you think it is.

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

In fact, virtually every film camera that is now out of production and more than 20 years old is a classic by definition.

F-I-L-M. Remember film? Not that it has gone anywhere.

F-I-L-M is NOT a 4-Letter Word !

 

[fstop]

I agree, any non AF 35mm SLR camera could be a classic.