File under “They don’t make ‘em like they used to”. This is the Kodak Bantam Special, a beautiful camera from 1936, made from machined aluminum and finished with enamel. The camera was designed by a company named Teague, and employee Sarah Matheny posted this lovely picture on the revamped Teague blog.
What strikes us, apart from its stunning looks, is that this limited edition camera was arguably more adventurous in its shape than most modern cameras (although it does conform to the Art-Deco styling of its day). Even when constrained by the needs to carry a roll of film, the folks at Teague came up with a case both unusual and functional (that sticking-out piece on the right is a flip-open cover).
Apart from the Olympus Pen, what other modern camera looks anything like this good? It is especially annoying as – provided you put the sensor behind the lens – a digital camera can be any shape you want. Heck, even the good-looking Pen is really just a reworking of an old design.
Perhaps there is a market for more innovative cameras. Or maybe somebody should take these old, obsolete film-shooters and retrofit them with digital guts. Who wouldn’t buy one of those?
Holy Bantam! [Teague via Kottke and Core77]
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