Tokyo Camera Show; Used, Collectible, And User-Collectible Results Page 2

Digital Skepticism
Despite the popularity of digital cameras such as the Lumix G1, traditional film cameras were selling well once again this year. Mr. Shizuo Takashima, the president of the All Japan Classic Camera Club (AJCC), has concluded that the still strong popularity of classic film cameras does not stem from a case of nostalgia. It comes from, according to him, a lingering doubt about digital photography, at least in the sector of serious photographers. The question is whether a digital photograph can be a piece of “art.” He quotes a Japanese word “ikkaisei,” a translation of a German word “einmaligkeit,” which means “once in a lifetime,” as the core concept of the photographic art. In traditional film photography, highlights and shadows, colors and contrast, and everything else are captured once and for all during exposure. According to this idea, there is very little margin for correction once the shutter is released and the decisive moment is fixed on an emulsion layer, except for minor revisions in a darkroom. On the contrary, a digital image allows almost unlimited freedom for correction at a later stage of image processing. Colors can be changed and the contrast can be enhanced or decreased ad infinitum.

Leicas on parade.

It seems that there is a strong belief, at least in the mind of Japanese serious photographers, that photography is an art of a decisive moment, which cannot be amended later on, like a signature of the artist himself inscribed in the endless belt of time.

Crossroads of camera hunters.

Classic Cameras Sold At The 31st Used Camera Show 2009
Leica M2 body: $1500-$1900
Leica M3 body: $1600-$2000
Leica M4 body: $2000-$2600
Leica M5 body: $1600-$1900
Leica M6 body: $1500-$1700
Leica CL with Summicron C 40mm f/2: $950-$1200
Leica llla body: $500-$600
Leica lllc body: $600-$700
Leica lllf without self-timer body: $650-$800
Leica lllf with self-timer body: $850-$1000
Leica lllg body: $1300-$2000
Leicaflex SL2 body: $850-$1200
Leica R8 body: $900-$1200
Leica R9 body: $1400-$1900
Contax l with Sonnar 50mm f/1.5: $1000-$1400
Contax ll with Sonnar 50mm f/2: $600-$800
Contax lla with Sonnar 50mm f/2: $700-$1300
Contaflex TLR with Sonnar 50mm f/2: $2500-$3000
Contarex Super with Planar 50mm f/2: $1000-$1300
Contarex Super with Planar 55mm f/1.4: $1500-$2000
Hasselblad 500C/M with Planar CF 80mm f/2.8 A-12 Mag.: $1500-$1800
Hasselblad SWC/M with A-12 Mag.: $3300-$3800
Rollei 35T: $350-$450
Rollei 35S: $500-$600
Rolleicord Vb with Xenar 75mm f/3.5: $600-$750
Rolleiflex 2.8F with Planar or Xenotar 80mm f/2.8: $1800-$2400
Rolleiflex SL66 with Planar 80mm f/2.8: $900-$1300
Kodak Retina lll (Big) C with Xenon 50mm f/2: $550-$700
Kodak Ektra with Ektar 50mm f/1.9: $2300-$2800
Robot Royal 24 with Xenar 38mm f/2.8: $750-$1000
Robot Royal 36 with Sonnar 50mm f/2: $1300-$2000
Voigtländer Ultramatic CS with Septon 50mm f/2: $600-$700
Voigtländer Vito lll with Ultron 50mm f/2: $500-$650
Voigtländer Vitessa with Ultron 50mm f/2: $450-$550
Exakta Varex lla with Biotar 58mm f/2: $450-$550
ALPA 11si with Macro Switar 50mm f/1.9: $3300-$3800
Nikon S2 with Nikkor 50mm f/1.4: $900-$1300
Nikon SP titan curtain body: $2000-$2800
Nikon F black body with eye-level finder: $700-$1000
Canon 4SB2 with 50mm f/1.5: $700-$900
Canon 7S body: $500-$700

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