Autocord, Leica III, USSR Leica Copy, Rollei 35, Nikon SLR OR something else?

[jkrumsick]

Hello Gents and Ladies -
I am getting married next February and am thinking about what gifts to get for my groomsmen. I had the hair brained idea to get them each a classic camera and engrave it (mentioning the wedding date and the wedding).

I chose these cameras as they were less expensive but still had some great qualities about them. Price is a very important factor! I have 7 groomsmen including my best man! So $300 per person is maximum and even a stretch at that.

Here are my current options. If you can think of a nice classic camera that I haven't thought about then please list it (along with potential price).

• Minolta Autocord
• Pre-War Leica
• USSR Leica Copy
• Rollei 35
• Nikon SLR

Also keep in mind I chose the above cameras because they can be useable. I would imagine the Autocord to be the most unuseable for first timers as only some of these guys shoot with film. My thinking is that even if they don't use it, it would look nice on a shelf (ha).

Also, if you think its a better idea NOT to get cameras for the groomsmen, then I would happily take that into consideration. I just would rather do something unique than the standard flask given out...

Thanks for the help!

[lonemantis]

Since I'm a camera nerd, I'd be absolutely thrilled to get a pre-war Leica. (the trick would be finding ones that don't need a CLA *and* come with a lens for under $300...)

That said, I think personalizing gifts for each one makes them more special and shows that you know them well. If one of them already shoots Nikon, something like an F or F3 would make a great gift. If they're into history (especially WW2 and Cold War), an FSU has great historical value. If they've never shot film at all, make sure they like putting old things on their shelf or get them something else!

[Joosep]

Voted Autocord.
Just because there are TWO lenses instead of ONE. (hint hint hint)

Other than that... I wouldnt go cameras at all.
Not all people are romantic towards classic cameras.

[magicianhisoka]

An autocord would be awesome. Unique and chockful of imaging potential

[pb908]

agree with autocord. For $300 (or $200) you can get nice working condition from €bay. Leica at that price point may always need cla.

[Jonnyfez]

This is a great idea but make certain they come with film so everyone can try shooting the wedding.
Could be a lot of fun. I think the best bang for buck might be the Rollei 35.

[pdexposures]

I say no to Leica not only because of cost. But because then you're that guy who engraved his wedding date onto 7 Leicas.

[sanmich]

engraving seven innocent leicas and give them to good people that will most likely put them aside because they are so "different to operate"?
I don't think so..
If I would be to offer the cameras, that would be with the secret hope to make one of my buddies discover film photography.
So...
I think a good idea would be a mechanical metered camera.
A Nikon FM/FE with a 50mm for example....

[Peter_wrote:]

the nikon would be my least choice. for people, who are not so into photography, it just looks like a standard slr.
i think, u want something more exotic.

the autocord is of course fantastic. but i think, it's somehow too much a "brick" as a present for this special occasion.

i think the best combination of usability and cuteness offers the rollei.

[jkrumsick]

Thanks for the recommendations!

I am now leaning towards the Rollei 35 and autocord more... The Nikon fm would be very useable (it's one of my main cameras)... But it wouldn't be the most stylistic choice. I also think they would be the most economical choice. The Rolleis can have working meters though and they are useable. I still think the autocord is the most unusable from the bunch but man is it a great camera (stylistic, reasonably priced, great shooter). Especially with a leather case... It would be super cool.

If I went with Leica I'd have to go with industar or Jupiter lenses for the price... And it would still be too much. So I think they are out.

What about a canonet or Olympus rc?

[Peter_wrote:]

Originally Posted by jkrumsick

What about a canonet or Olympus rc?

for my taste, they are too "ordinary". good cameras for use, but not sexy at all

i think more of something like voigtländer vitessa

look here http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sig...57604187561416

and here http://www.ebay.de/itm/Voigtlander-V...item2a230e910a


or the carl zeiss werra I

look here http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sig...57600225326633


or a braun super paxette

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sig...57610507939794


some kind of folder could be interessting, too.

but all in all, i think a rollei 35 would be a great choice. just be aware to give them some instructions. people really tend to break a rollei...

[Corto]

If anything, I'd get them a Nice set of engraved Binoculars.

Or.....A high end Folding Knife. Easy to engrave.

Id rather own Binoculars and a Knife than a Camera and a Watch.....

[Joosep]

Just a thought... The Nikon would get them alot more shots. I mean it is a wedding, and 12vs36exposures is a difference.
Maybe get an Olympus Pen ?

[jkrumsick]

Originally Posted by aperture64

I have five friends that I would ask to be in my wedding and none of them have an interest in photography. There is no way I would buy them something related to something I am only interested in. Buy them something manly, that they will enjoy long after the wedding or maybe a watch they can wear during the wedding. Think of something they would enjoy, not what you enjoy.

Thanks for the comment. In response, I don't care about something particularly manly. I am interested in something that people can use, something that represents myself and my wife, something classic, something stylistic and something kind of fun. And I am agreeing with the polls on the thread... the Rollei 35 seems to be it.

My brother gave me a knife and engraved it for a groomsmen gift. I stuck it in the drawer and haven't seen it since. What can I really use it for? I have an 8' chefs knife for cooking. Other than that I rarely use knives. People give out flasks... but really who still uses flasks for drinking?

A friend gave his groomsmen Derringer pistols... chromed out. $1400 a piece! Not willing to go that route of course. Even then... I bet they're all sitting in a drawer somewhere.

Watches are nice... but what nice watch can I get for $300? My options are really limited there I think.

What do all of these things have in common? They will probably end up on a shelf or in a drawer... it's just the reality that most of these gifts are accessory items. I am still thinking that I would leave my guys with something super cool and retro that they can try out when they want. And if I make them shoot a half a roll of film... I bet they will want to finish it and get it developed :-).

Here are my best guesses if they would like it or not -

Dimitri - Professional photographer, collects cameras, would like this I think
Jamie - Shoots DSLR. Used to shoot film. Would like it.
Jeff - Used to shoot film, I bet he would like it.
Jeff - Don't know. He's uber hipster though so probably.
Danny - Still shoots film - would like it
Bert - Unsure exactly. Probably would put it on a shelf but there's always hope.
Alfredo - Would probably stick it on a shelf. Still hopeful.

So I am really leaning towards the rollei here. I was set on the autocord but its too inconvenient and bulky.

I will start doing my research. Please let me know if there are any other ideas! Thanks for all of the help!

[NeeZee]

I think the Rollei 35 is perfect as it should be something small and cool looking.
What came to mind was one of the classic Minox subminiature ("spy") cams, such as the Minox B: http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Minox_B. Only problem is the 8x11 film format (gets harder to get and only a few places for developing), other than that they would look pretty cool engraved and are very stylish IMO.

[Godfrey]

I'd never buy people actual classic cameras, nor would I engrave names and dates into cameras as commemoratives. I'd be embarrassed to receive such a thing as a wedding party gift. It doesn't really make any sense.

I'd have a jeweler engrave a glass model of a classic camera as a commemorative gift if that kind of a signal piece were symbolic of the wedding event.

(Just went to a wedding last week. The men in the bridal party all received small, engraved Leatherman tools. The women all received a little engraved glass sculpture. These made sense as they reflected the groom and bride's personalities and passions. Somehow, actual classic cameras don't do the same thing in my view.)

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but you asked for opinions. :-)

[NeeZee]

Uhm, wasn't to 'reflect the groom's personality and passions' the reason why he is thinking about the cameras?

[jkrumsick]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

I'd never buy people actual classic cameras, nor would I engrave names and dates into cameras as commemoratives. I'd be embarrassed to receive such a thing as a wedding party gift. It doesn't really make any sense.

I'd have a jeweler engrave a glass model of a classic camera as a commemorative gift if that kind of a signal piece were symbolic of the wedding event.

(Just went to a wedding last week. The men in the bridal party all received small, engraved Leatherman tools. The women all received a little engraved glass sculpture. These made sense as they reflected the groom and bride's personalities and passions. Somehow, actual classic cameras don't do the same thing in my view.)

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but you asked for opinions. :-)

Happy for your opinion to be shared! And I agree, it doesn't make that much sense, but then again, neither does an engraved leatherman tool. If you needed to take something a part would you first reach for the engraved leatherman? Probably not. It's engraved and commemorative. Well, I want to make a commemorative camera. Sure people may not use it much... but that's not really the point is it?

I still don't see anything wrong with it. And where's the imagination with the leatherman?

If anything a classic camera would reflect my personality and passion more than anything else.

[Dirk]

Only give them cameras if they will appreciate and like it. If they're not into cameras or photography, it'll be an awkward situation.

[Jack Conrad]

Rollei 35 is a perfect choice. Small, masculine, solid, attractive, fondle-able, useful, and even in your price range. They're like little sculptures, icons to the industrial age. Even as a desk paperweight they're cool. Great idea. You can send me a nice chrome 35S for the advice. Thanks.

[jkrumsick]

Originally Posted by Jack Conrad

Rollei 35 is a perfect choice. Small, masculine, solid, attractive, fondle-able, useful, and even in your price range. They're like little sculptures, icons to the industrial age. Even as a desk paperweight they're cool. Great idea. You can send me a nice chrome 35S for the advice. Thanks.

Just won a Rollei 35S off of eBay for $104.

I was thinking about getting everyone the standard Rollei 35 and then, in the same font on the front, adding a "JC" on the end of the name to make "Rollei 35 JC". A new edition (is this sacrilege?).

JC stands for Jeremy and Cristina (soon to be Mr and Mrs Jeremy Krumsick). :-).

Some other thoughts on customizing:

Changing leathers from cameraleathers.com
Adding further engraving.

Anything else I can do to customize the cameras and make them more commemorative?

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by jkrumsick

Just won a Rollei 35S off of eBay for $104.

I was thinking about getting everyone the standard Rollei 35 and then, in the same font on the front, adding a "JC" on the end of the name to make "Rollei 35 JC". A new edition (is this sacrilege?).

Um, yes. It is sacrilege.

Anyone can use a leatherman tool.
Only a few can or want to use a classic camera.

[Spicy]

It's an ok idea, but I do think that it's a little unfair to engrave innocent and working classic cameras. It's not like they're making more of them, and there's only so many nice ones to go around.

I vote something else. As much as I'd be amused receiving one, I don't think many people would unless they were really into film photography. Many digital shooters don't get much of a kick out of classic cameras...

[oceanpriest]

If it's me, I would give them 7 holgas and some dollar notes rolled on the take up spool

other ideas: horizon 202 or s3? still available brand new i believe

[richardhkirkando]

Kind of feels like Homer Simpson buying Marge a bowling ball, but it might work out if most of these guys are into photography - if those are into it, it might rub off on the others too.