A project born of a passion for beautifully engineered mid-century cameras, and a delight in using them in the practice of manual film photography.
ILOTT Vintage is a collection of restored mid-century rangefinder cameras that have each been carefully restored and passed rigorous tests before being taken out on assignment to create the images you’ll find in the gallery.
Tired, worn out leathers have been replaced with signature, premium quality real wood veneers, tailored to each camera for a unique, elegant appearance. Even if exactly the same model—like wood grain—no two cameras are exactly the same. There’s romance in the mystery of not knowing where the cameras have been before, who has used them and what photos they might have taken.
Tired, worn out leathers have been replaced with signature, premium quality real wood veneers, tailored to each camera for a unique, elegant appearance. Even if exactly the same model—like wood grain—no two cameras are exactly the same. There’s romance in the mystery of not knowing where the cameras have been before, who has used them and what photos they might have taken.
These rangefinders predate planned obsolescence. They are from a time when an object would be handed down through generations, not just be replaced after a year; when the weight of a product was a sign of quality not regarded a hindrance; when products were repaired instead of discarded.
Used fully manually the cameras featured on this website are entirely mechanical; they work with clockwork mechanisms, tension springs and tiny cogs and don’t need a battery to function. They all use 35mm film, which has survived the digital revolution and is still readily available and easy to process at your local supermarket or drugstore.
They are all beautifully engineered and ergonomically designed; they feel solid with a reassuring weight and are perfectly balanced for stable shooting. With exceptionally bright viewfinders they are easy to focus, even in low light conditions. They operate quietly and have superior quality prime lenses that render brilliant colours and contrast.
These cameras were built to be used for many years. Not only the perfect companion on the street or on vacation but rugged and reliable enough to survive even the most extreme conditions (Argus C3 used in World War II, Konica Auto S2 in Vietnam). Their age and the fact that they still work as they should is testament to their design and engineering. Can you imagine using your latest digital camera in 50 years time?
I started this project in 2010 as a place to share and explore. Today, it serves not only as a resource to discover some amazing objects but also as a place to learn more about them, to see and understand exactly what they are capable of, and why. Now with a more accessible and contemporary design the information contained can continue to be a useful reference for anyone wanting to learn more about mid-century cameras and photography.
—Andrew Bellamy
They are all beautifully engineered and ergonomically designed; they feel solid with a reassuring weight and are perfectly balanced for stable shooting. With exceptionally bright viewfinders they are easy to focus, even in low light conditions. They operate quietly and have superior quality prime lenses that render brilliant colours and contrast.
These cameras were built to be used for many years. Not only the perfect companion on the street or on vacation but rugged and reliable enough to survive even the most extreme conditions (Argus C3 used in World War II, Konica Auto S2 in Vietnam). Their age and the fact that they still work as they should is testament to their design and engineering. Can you imagine using your latest digital camera in 50 years time?
I started this project in 2010 as a place to share and explore. Today, it serves not only as a resource to discover some amazing objects but also as a place to learn more about them, to see and understand exactly what they are capable of, and why. Now with a more accessible and contemporary design the information contained can continue to be a useful reference for anyone wanting to learn more about mid-century cameras and photography.
—Andrew Bellamy
ILOTT Vintage has been featured in:
