# Why aren't there any well-known British cameras? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 13, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509 "2018-03-13T19:47:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/1 "2018-03-13T19:47:04Z")
As an avid photographer and camera collector, I’m well acquainted with the major camera brands and their histories. The United States and Germany produced most of the best cameras of the first half of the 20th Century, with Japan entering the market a bit later and establishing itself as the third member of the “big three” of camera-producing companies. The quality of American cameras and lenses in the World War II era was outstanding; German cameras were (and are) likewise outstanding; and Japanese cameras of the past 30 years are outstanding. They are all equally good, as far as I am concerned. The German-made cameras and lenses command a higher price, but their Japanese counterparts are essentially equal in quality. There are also a few Russian cameras that have quite the cult following: Kiev probably being the best-known. So why did the British never really develop a camera industry? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/2 "2018-03-13T19:53:03Z")
I don’t have a useful answer other than to observe that if the Brits built cameras as well as they built motor cars, they would have set back the art of photography by decades. Apropos of nothing: _General Jack D. Ripper: Were you ever a prisoner of war? Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Well… yes I was, matter of fact, Jack. I was. General Jack D. Ripper: Did they torture you? Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Uh, yes they did. I was tortured by the Japanese. Jack, if you must know; not a pretty story. General Jack D. Ripper: Well, what happened? Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Oh, well, I don’t know, Jack, difficult to think of under these conditions; but, well… what happened was they got me on the old Rangoon-Ichinawa railway. I was laying train lines for the bloody Japanese puff-puff’s. General Jack D. Ripper: No, I mean when they tortured you. Did you talk? Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Ah, oh, no… well, I don’t think they wanted me to talk really. I don’t think they wanted me to say anything. It was just their way of having a bit of fun, the swines. Strange thing is they make such bloody good cameras_[RIGHT]— _Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb_[/RIGHT] ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/3 "2018-03-13T20:34:38Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > I don’t have a useful answer other than to observe that if the Brits built cameras as well as they built motor cars, they would have set back the art of photography by decades. 😃 I’m trying to imagine a Lucas camera. Probably would have some kind of “reverse negative” or something. ---
**Author:** ![busterpickle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@busterpickle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/busterpickle)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/4 "2018-03-13T21:15:21Z")
Crazy thing, I googled “British Camera” and came up with: > **[British vintage cameras](http://www.cjs-classic-cameras.co.uk/other/british.html)** > > Agilux, Agima, Agimatic, Corfield, Periflex, Coronet Viscount, Halina, Ilford Advocate, Ilford Sportsman, Kershaw, Ensign, camera information, photographs, collection First link actually, second one is: [http://www.gbcameras.org.uk/](http://www.gbcameras.org.uk/) And then I stopped. Any ways, definitely nothing new. My guess is that with pre-existing market dominance of US/Germany and then Japan, it’d be tough to make something competitive. Seems nothing from the 60’s onwards which is about when Japan got serious about cameras and such. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/5 "2018-03-13T21:32:20Z")
There was no optical glass industry in Britain before 1914; it was all imported from Germany. During the war it was necessary to create one but it wasn’t economic afterwards. Likely we went back to importing cameras again as with dyestuffs; German dyes were better in every way. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/6 "2018-03-13T21:35:22Z")
I am trying to think of an American camera company that has done anything in the last 20 years. I’m coming up empty. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/7 "2018-03-13T21:42:34Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > I am trying to think of an American camera company that has done anything in the last 20 years. > > I’m coming up empty. Polaroid and Kodak are the big ones. Also GoPro if you count them. Up to you if you consider them competitors or not. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/8 "2018-03-13T21:52:32Z")
Does UK engineering in the 20th or 21st century have a good reputation in any field? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/9 "2018-03-13T22:02:33Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Polaroid and Kodak are the big ones. Also GoPro if you count them. Up to you if you consider them competitors or not. Polaroid went bankrupt in 2001, and Kodak in 2012. The brand names are still used by companies that bought rights to them, but I don’t think they exist as American camera companies anymore. Did any other country in Europe develop an optics & camera industry besides Germany? I know France has some world-leading specialty optics companies, but I can’t name any European consumer optics & imaging companies other than German ones. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/10 "2018-03-13T22:07:56Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > 😃 > > I’m trying to imagine a Lucas camera. Probably would have some kind of “reverse negative” or something. No flash photography. ETA: Just yesterday, I saw a guy riding an old Triumph motorcycle. No brake light. I managed to wave him down at a long stoplight to let him know. It was almost like it was no surprise. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/11 "2018-03-13T22:18:22Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Does UK engineering in the 20th or 21st century have a good reputation in any field? Currently I’d say aircraft wings (Airbus - ex-BAE Systems facility), jet engines (Rolls-Royce), ejector seats (Martin-Baker), very cutting-edge automobile technology (the bulk of the development centres for F1 teams are UK-based). Egg cups 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/12 "2018-03-13T22:24:52Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Does UK engineering in the 20th or 21st century have a good reputation in any field? Ships, until about 1950, or 1970 at a stretch. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/13 "2018-03-13T22:56:14Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’m trying to imagine a Lucas camera. Probably would have some kind of “reverse negative” or something. ”A gentleman does not photograph in direct sunlight.” Stranger ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/14 "2018-03-13T23:39:45Z")
Their Parliament is bi-camera-l and quite famous. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/15 "2018-03-13T23:45:04Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Their Parliament is bi-camera-l and quite famous. That’s because it’s had so much exposure. And viewing it through the lens of history. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/16 "2018-03-14T00:22:15Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Polaroid went bankrupt in 2001, and Kodak in 2012. The brand names are still used by companies that bought rights to them, but I don’t think they exist as American camera companies anymore. > > Did any other country in Europe develop an optics & camera industry besides Germany? I know France has some world-leading specialty optics companies, but I can’t name any European consumer optics & imaging companies other than German ones. It makes me feel old to even think of it, but 2001 is still not quite yet 20 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/17 "2018-03-14T00:31:03Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Does UK engineering in the 20th or 21st century have a good reputation in any field? ARM processor cores. (iPhone, Android) ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/18 "2018-03-14T00:34:44Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Did any other country in Europe develop an optics & camera industry besides Germany? I know France has some world-leading specialty optics companies, but I can’t name any European consumer optics & imaging companies other than German ones. [Switzerland.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpa) The same guy who designed the Alpa still cameras also designed the [Bolex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolex) cinecameras. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/19 "2018-03-14T02:26:32Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > I don’t have a useful answer other than to observe that if the Brits built cameras as well as they built motor cars, they would have set back the art of photography by decades. But damn, I bet they would look great! > **[Restored 1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Fixed Head Coupe](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1953-jaguar-xk120-fixed-head-coupe-2/)** > > Bid for the chance to own a Restored 1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Fixed Head Coupe at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #8,638. But the Brits certainly knew how to _name_ cameras: Ilford Advocate, Coronet Viscount, Corfield Periflex. “I say, old boy, the Connolly hide on my Periflex is looking a bit shabby. Do you think your man can rub in a spot of Hide Care?” Dennis ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509/20 "2018-03-14T02:36:03Z")
if the Brits built a camera, it would probably leak oil. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-any-well-known-british-cameras/810509.md?page=2)