AT 76, Aziz Vanker is still passionate about photography and an avid collector of old cameras, camcorders and projectors.
Vanker has a collection of more than 100 cameras displayed in one of the bedrooms in his home.
The oldest is a 1920 Kodak Brownie camera.
Vanker said all the cameras were still in working condition, but they no longer make film for them.
“It is my hobby to collect anything connected to photography,” said Vanker.
He said he first fell in love with photography in the 1950s and still has his first camera, which was given to him in 1952.
“I take photographs of landscape, buildings, flowers and natural scenes,” he said.
Vanker has also converted part of his garage to display more of his cameras.
As the eldest at home he was forced to leave school at primary school level to help his father run their shop at Manderston farm near Thornville.
“I never regretted this decision because under my father I learned a lot and after 11 years running the family business I opened my own shop in Thornville,” he said.
After retiring 16 years ago, he focused on taking pictures during his annual trips abroad.
Vanker has been to the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal in India, Spain, Russia, Brazil, the U.S., Jerusalem in Israel and Canada, among other far-flung destinations.
“Everywhere I go I take pictures of the scenery because it is easier to show people where you have been when you take photos,” said Vanker.
He said pictures take him down memory lane.
He said he began his collection by gathering together his own cameras that he had been using over the years and by asking family members and relatives for their old cameras.
“I do it as a hobby and if people want to bring their old cameras they are welcome to send them to me,” Vanker explained.
He said he is interested in collecting old makes like Leica, Contax, Pentax, Hasselblad, Voigtlander, Mamiya and Speed Graphic press cameras.
He said people are welcome to view his collection and he would also like to see theirs.
He appealed to those with old cameras that are lying unused to contact him at 033 394 1713 or 084 965 4440.
• thobani.ngqulunga@witness.co.za
