Vintage Movie Cameras

Vintage Movie Cameras

There are many reasons why may want to purchase a vintage video camera. Maybe you're a film enthusiast who has always loved the look and feel of vintage equipment, or perhaps you want to try your hand at shooting film like they did in the old times. No matter the reason, pay attention to several factors when shopping for vintage movie cameras, with the most important being type, size, age and condition.

Types of Vintage Video Cameras

Two of the most popular vintage movie cameras are 8mm and 16mm movie cameras. Both types are suitable for experimentation and short films. They are available from multiple brands, and you should look for features like zoom capability and rangefinder, depending on the style of filming you're after.

How to Determine Whether a Vintage Camera Can Be Used

The first thing to know about vintage movie cameras is that not all of them can still be used for filming. If you actually want to use the camera, opt for a 16mm or other miniature format camera, for which you can still find camera film. Cameras that require 127 or 620 film are still around, but mostly as collectables, as it may be very difficult and expensive to source film for them. Not all vintage cameras come with a lens, so you should make sure it has one or that the camera is compatible with a lens you already have.

Accessories for Vintage Movie Cameras

Many vintage video cameras come with accessories, such as multiple lenses, leather cases for storage and transport, or stereo kits. Lens viewfinders, detachable triggers, lens hoods and extra supplies of film are other handy items you may find as part of a vintage movie camera kit.