These are really cool (and kinda expensive) cameras from a company called Ilott who restores mid-century (45-70 year old) cameras to excellent working order.
The cameras can be anywhere between 70 and 45 years old and will inevitably have collected a fair amount of dust, grime and atmospheric contaminants over time.
This dirt will impede the mechanical operation of the body and the optical performance of the lens. Lenses may be clouded by fungus or dust, and the viewfinders are often foggy. Rangefinder optics are calibrated and checked at various distances to ensure sharp and accurate focus. Aperture and shutter blades can be clogged with grease causing them to stick together, and have to be cleaned to ensure proper operation. The original foam light seals also need to be replaced as they deteriorate with age and turn into a black, sticky goo, making a mess and reducing ability to cut out light effectively. We replace the seals with a more traditional combination of black velvet and wool, which will stand up to constant opening and closing of the film door and be light-tight for years to come.
Even with almost half a century of use and abuse behind them, with expert attention the cameras are capable of creating images as exceptional as the day they were made. When they get to the studio each camera is fully serviced and given the unique Ilott finish replacing worn leathers with premium quality real wood veneers.
Each camera is then tested with film and the results are posted in our gallery.
I’m really liking these cameras.
Now, on to the links..
ChrisWY: Got Hope?
WWTFT: Mayor Cocteau
TheCL: Church, State, and Anarchism
The Eye: Who said “South Carolina is too small for a republic and too large for an insane asylum.”
TBA: Buy A ‘Thingamajig’
CH2.0: Daily Kos Denies Dependency, Is Crushed by Reality
SJ: The uninformed, the unknown, and the fear of liberty
BdKS: The May Jobs Numbers? They’re Fantastic!
Bunker: EPA Celebrates the ‘Crushing’ of One Million Working Refrigerators
CoF: The Economic Malaise Continues
FCBZ: Busybody Bloomberg’s NYC Big Soda Ban Hypocrisy Mocked by Red Eye, Jon Stewart, Reason TV, & Others… Then Mayor Celebrates National Donut Day
LaS: Adventures on YouTube #1 (And, to answer your question, there is NO resemblance to Greta Van Susteren whatsoever)
TCotS: Pee Wee Barry’s Playhouse
Gator: A question for radical atheists. Why does something you do not believe in piss you off so much?
Wade: More Michigan Ridiculousness
CP: Wisconsin Voters Speak Out about the Recall Election
Proof: USS Iowa in Tow Under Golden Gate Bridge
Jen: Jennifer Rubin must love being wrong
TMGGB: Hypocrisy overload in 3, 2, 1…..
WixomWeb: So Many Guns, So Much Fun
What an interesting nitch this company has found. Where is my old Pentax?
Thanks for the link, Steve!
It is a clever niche business. Plus, they can charge a ton of cash for these cameras that people don’t want / can’t use.
Thanks for the link Steve. I think my dad had some of these cameras.
You are very welcome. I think my parents had one of these as well.
Thanks for the bump Steve. You’re the heat!
By the way the third camera down was the one my father had. It produced slides.
That sounds very cool. I would like to get my hands on one.
No problem-o.
Those are some cool cameras Steve, and thanks for the link!
I thought they were pretty neat as well.
Thanks for the link, Steve
You are most welcome.
As usual, I’ve learned something new from your awesome camera post. These vintage cameras are works of art. You’re a prince for the link as well, Steve — many thanks, dear friend.
Glad you like ‘em. I didn’t know that people were refurbishing these old cameras like this until recently. They are works of art themselves (and priced like art as well).