Small Luxuries: Film Cameras

Small Luxuries: Film Cameras is the perfect guide and gift book for the aspiring or veteran enthusiast.  Alongside images showcasing the most popular and collectible film cameras among today’s growing ranks of enthusiasts, photographer and camera expert Aaron Lurth walks you through the history of the film camera, as well as how cameras work and notable manufacturers and models. The book includes insights into many aspects of the growing film-camera hobby, including: - History – Beginning with the camera obscura and continuing through the instant point-and-shoot, the book highlights key points in camera evolution.- Technology – From point-and-shoot to the SLR, the technology behind these classics is diverse, and Lurth provides readers with a working knowledge of the differences among the various inner workings.- Historic Brands and Models – From Rolleiflex to Polaroid to Leica to Hasselblad, collection entry points and more expensive classics, the book features an array of storied manufacturers and models, including details of their origins, features, collectability, and more. Driven by desires for the aesthetics derived from film cameras, a longing for more tactile experiences, and a backlash to the instantaneous gratification afforded by digital cameras, photography enthusiasts are rediscovering film. Small Luxuries: Film Cameras is the ideal companion for that journey. Small Luxuries celebrates the artistry of the everyday objects that shape our style and stories. Each volume explores the craft, culture, and character behind these beloved obsessions, revealing how they evolve into lifelong passions. Richly illustrated and insightfully written, the series is a tribute to the makers, materials, and memories that turn familiar belongings into extraordinary icons of personal expression and style. Also available from the series: Small Luxuries: Vinyl Small Luxuries: Watches Small Luxuries: Sneakers

Aaron Lurth is an educator, photographer, filmmaker, and designer whose photographic work has been used by National Geographic, ABC, NBC, CBS, MTV.com, Time, The Des Moines Register, General Electric, CNET.com, Red Cross, and The Iowa Review. His film projects have screened at over 100 festivals worldwide and have won a number of awards, including the Iowa Motion Picture Association’s Best Documentary film. He currently serves as assistant professor of art and visual communication at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Introduction Chapter One             The Alchemy of Light and Silver: A Brief History of Cameras Chapter Two             Inside the Black Box: How a Camera Works Chapter Three          From Bellows to Pockets: Types of Film Cameras Chapter Four            Industry Icons: Notable Brands Chapter Five             The Legends: Historic Camera Models Stopping Time: Resources and Thoughts on Film Cameras Index Photo Credits