Vintage Camera Note Cards

Note Cards, Set 1

It’s hard to remember exactly when I started collecting vintage viewfinder cameras. I became interested in them after seeing some TtV photos online.

Through the Viewfinder (TtV) photography is a technique in which the photograph is taken with one camera through the viewfinder of a second camera. I use my Canon 100mm macro lens on a Canon 5D Mark III or IV for my Ttv photos. The viewfinders of these vintage cameras yield different results based on the dust and scratches accumulated through the years.

But this isn’t really a post about TtV photography.

This year I decided to photograph the cameras. After several attempts without satisfactory results, I decided to apply a texture in Photoshop to each image. The texture is actually made from a photograph taken through the viewfinder of the camera in the photo. This yielded the results I wanted.

I have 10 vintage viewfinder cameras. Here are my favorite photos of 5 of them.

Argus 75 (brown) manufactured 1958-64 in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Photina Reflex made in the 1950’s by Photavit in Germany.

The first in the Kodak Duaflex Series manufactured between 1947-60.

Spartus Full Vue manufactured 1048-60.

The Kodak Duaflex II. Models I-IV were manufactured 1948-60.

One thing led to another, as often it does, and I thought they’d make great cards for photographers. So they’re now available in my Etsy Shop printed on beautiful glossy card stock with a blank matte inside. They’re great for gift-giving or for personal use.