Cameras/Expert Profile
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience in the area
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response T = Timeliness P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | T | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margie | 09/06/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Great information. We're planning to follow up ..... |
| James | 09/03/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | thank you very much for the feedback ..... |
| sergio penalver jr | 07/23/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | i feel his response was timely and ..... |
| Danny Wright | 07/22/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Many thanks for swift and expect response ..... |
| Arthur | 05/21/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | David, Thank you, and I will keep ..... |
Recent Answers from David Silver
2009-11-06 Camera Appraisal:
Hello April, The No. 2 Folding Pocket Brownie is a traditional self-casing folding bellows camera, made by Eastman Kodak from 1907 to 1915, for 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch exposures on #120 roll film.
2009-09-30 Premo stereoscopic:
Hello Peter, The Stereo Pony Premo No. 4 is a typical American style self-casing folding bellows camera made by the Rochester Optical Company (later under Eastman Kodak) from about 1903 to 1910
2009-09-05 My father's 2 leicas:
Hello Margie, The first part is easy. Serial number 200205 indicates a Leica IIIa (also known as the Leica Model G), a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in
2009-09-03 value of camera:
Hello, The Leica IIIf is a common, but highly regarded, 35mm couple rangefinder camera that was made by Leitz of Germany from 1950 to 1957. They sold a whopping 188,000 of them! In excellent
2009-07-22 leica ernst leitz wetzlar no.124557:
Hello, Serial number 124557 should be a Leica III (also known as the Leica Model F), a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany in 1933. It's a very common model
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