Down in the packed basement venues, jazz and blues spoke from the heart, to the heart. This new kind of intimacy between performer and audience called for a new kind of camera. One with a huge, light-gathering lens to handle dim stage lighting. In a maroon and satin black that melted into the dark. And small enough to shoot from the lap for unobtrusive smoke-swirled closeups. As for a flash unit—don’t even ask.

It turns out many of the iconic images we know today were shot on this versatile workhorse. Although oddly without a manufacture’s name, many examples of the camera circulated in clubs from Chicago to New York to Paris. Indeed, some music historians maintain that the jazz and blues genre would not have reached the popularity it did without the stunning, personal photographs caught by this night-shift gem.

A little-remembered role of US submarines was gathering intel on enemy defenses prior to a landing. In 1943 the Navy solicited bids for a camera with specialized requirements. 1) Compact: fit the cramped conditions of a sub; 2) Simple: easily operated under stressful conditions by any unwounded personnel; 3) Single unit: camera, film, and accessories in one grab-and-go case; 4) Stable: stellar performance on a submarine’s slippery bridge; 5) Rock-solid: built to withstand depth charges.

Despite stiff competition from Kodak, the contract was won by a small company manufacturing pencil sharpeners. Their camera not only exceeded war-time specs; it became popular with the men who often signed it out for shore-leave sightseeing. They affectionately called it “The Six”, after the number of available apertures. Many of the comraderie-filled snapshots from the war’s Pacific front were taken by the dependable Six.

Few people know that Carhartt—famous for job-site clothing— also made cameras for the trade. In 1958 it introduced a one-year promo where buying four jackets got you a free Carhartt camera.

Covered in the company’s trademark amber canvas, the camera was designed for foremen wanting to document a building’s progress. The promo was such a success that Carhartt ran it for five years, soon introducing the Micro model as enthusiasm built. Today both cameras are highly prized by collectors.

Details are distinctive yet understated. Note the curved back—the better to sit snugly against the owner’s hip while climbing scaffolding. In place of a standard viewfinder, there is a post-and-notch system, as in a gun sight—a nod to the hunting background of the Detroit-based company’s customers. And with a smile, in-house designers included a unique feature: the two strap lugs are made from sturdy Carhartt zipper pulls.

Discovered in an unnamed Mid-western city, this camera was originally built by a former car dealer. The design of a TLR (twin lens reflex) calls for two lenses. The bottom one shoots the photo and the top lens composes the shot. You frame it by looking down into the roomy square viewfinder.

I was thrilled to find this model since it exhibits some very unusual features. In the proud words of its inventor: “Two-toned cars, right? Sold a lot of ‘em. Very big in the 50’s. Thinking one night, having a beer. Why not a two-toned camera, right? You know—the two lenses and all. In a TLR. Very funny. In the dealership machine-shop, took apart an old Argus. Got some great parts…but film advance? Nada. So I used the handle from the shop’s pencil sharpener. Fastest film wind I’ve ever seen. Buddies are jealous.”

World-renowned for its high quality and high price, shooting with a Hasselblad—or even just walking around with one—will always make a statement. Evidently that was the objective of this (barely used) Model Red. It is part of a genre called a BSD—that is, a Big Swinging Dick camera.

Why the name? Some 90% of the world’s Hasselblads are a study in black and satin steel; discrete is a good description. Here, with its red crinkle finish, chrome body, and an engine-turned panel, bling is a good description. It is a camera made to be noticed—and asked about. Especially its cost. If you don’t ask, the BSD owner will inform you of its value ($10,000 plus) within the first five minutes.

Another stand-out feature is that all the chrome knobs are actually high-end shower fixtures, the “H” standing for Hot. Its owner would be quick to point out to attractive women that he and camera share a common trait.