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- David Silver
Photography/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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony | 11/07/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | early days so far but most impressed ..... |
| Roger | 05/21/09 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you for the quick and complete ..... |
| John | 11/23/08 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Hi Many thanks for your quick reply ..... |
| ethan | 02/25/08 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | David is great. Highly recommend hi. |
| richard | 01/28/08 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | i can see why mr. silver is ..... |
Recent Answers from David Silver
2009-05-19 Vintage Camera:
Hello Roger, There are no dependable serial number records for later Graflex products after about 1947, but a number that high certainly suggests a camera made at least a decade later, perhaps around
2008-11-18 Euryscop lens number 43302:
Hello John, Voigtlander of Germany is one of the oldest participants in the evolution of photography, and they were there when it all began in 1839. What you have is a big brass barrel Euryscop
2008-07-28 Leica camera:
Hello Wendy, From that serial number, you have a Leica IIIf, a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, made by Leitz of Germany around 1952. This was a very popular model, and they sold over
2008-06-22 retina IIa:
Hello Drew, The Retina IIa is a classic compact 35mm coupled rangefinder camera, with short collapsible bellows, made in Germany for Eastman Kodak from 1939 to 1941, and again from 1951 to 1954
2008-05-26 Kodak Retina II:
Hello Joe, No, actually the Type 142 is the most common form of the pre-war Retina II, with over 30,000 units moved from 1937 through 1939. It's the Type 122, made in VERY limited numbers for a
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