Art Deco & Vintage Cameras - Style, Story & Practical Use
Explore the hand-curated collection of vintage cameras with art-and-design pedigree - from classic Art Deco icons to later models that carry it's influence. Whether you're here for design history, practical shooting advice or film and restoration techniques, you will find useful information here.
Art Deco Era
The Art Deco era covered the period between the two world wars. It began at the start of the 20s and lasted until the end of the 30s. But all Art Deco designers didn't just disappear in 1940. After WWII, many camera makers simply started up again with the pre-war Art Deco designs and therefore continued to produce cameras with features reminiscent of the Art Deco period.
The Collection
The Art Deco cameras on this site are divided into 5 Deco categories - Early Deco, Period Deco, Streamlined Deco, Deco Influenced and Late Deco. A Wider Collection category contains cameras in my collection that are unrelated to Art Deco.
I use a star system to show Deco strength. Each camera is rated by how strongly it embodies Art Deco style, from iconic five-star classics to those with incidental Deco elements. It's a quick way to see at a glance how Deco a design really is.
Camera Resources
My cameras aren't meant to be shelf sitters. They're meant to be used. In this section you will find practical guidance on getting real results from vintage cameras - including the Sunny 16 rule, how to determine focal length and ways to adapt older cameras for modern film.
Film for Vintage Cameras
Understanding film is essential if you want reliable results from a vintage camera. In this section you'll find clear explanations of film types, common formats, latitude, and reciprocity failure. I also cover how to source discontinued films, how to cut your own, and practical methods for making backing paper when originals are no longer available.
Restoration of Vintage Cameras
At over 70 years old, most Art Deco cameras need a bit of attention to return them to working order. In this section, I share restoration projects I've undertaken and the straightforward methods used. With simple, careful procedures, these old cameras can be brought back to life and used as they were intended.
Please have a look at the cameras in my collection. You may want to check back later because I am adding to my collection regularly.