The golden age of the miniature camera spanned some forty-five years from the eclipse of the vintage plate camera in the mid-1920s to the widespread introduction of plastics and electronics at the end of the 1960s. During this time optical innovation combined with precision engineering to produce photographic equipment of great quality. Today, the cameras of the classic era are prized by collectors and users alike.
This exhaustive and practical guide includes:
Descriptions of the principal makes and models
Assessments of the cameras' reliability, investment value and potential as the basis of a system
Instructions on how to test and check for faults
Comparisons of camera bodies, lenses and accessories
Advice on photographic technique, choice of film, filters and processing
Valuable appendices contain:
Collectors' and users' societies, dealers and specialist publications
Lists of the major manufacturers, brands and models
Sources of materials and accessories
More than 300 photographs of the cameras and accessories, and examples of work for which each is best fitted, illustrate this authoritative guide to the superbly crafted products of an age of excellence.
