March 29, 2024
Camera collectors in Florida
Michael J. Posner, attorney and camera collector in Wellington

Camera collectors in Florida

Lori Capullo | 7/28/2014

Four Florida executives share their passions for camera collecting.

Michael J. Posner, 53
Attorney
Wellington

“I’ve had a camera since I was a child, and in college I worked as a party photographer,” Posner says. “After college, I shot about half a dozen weddings.” That led to collecting, starting with a twin reflex camera he purchased for $3 in 1981. His grandmother then gave him a Brownie camera, and he was hooked as a collector. In 1983, Posner decided to focus exclusively on instant cameras, and today he’s amassed 422 different models. He has written a book called “The Collector’s Guide to Instant Cameras,” which is sold on Amazon.

Film or digital? “For many years, I used Kodachrome for color and Tri-X for black and white. I started dabbling in digital in the 1990s and went exclusively digital in 2002. I still own a Nikon FTN but rarely shoot film anymore.”

No nostalgia: ”The immediate ability to review and to take many shots makes digital far more useful for my work. Once the quality threshold was met, I never looked back.”

Go-to equipment: “Film, Nikon F2; digital, Canon 5D Mark II; current rig, Sony NEX-6; favorite instant, SLR 690.”

Favorite shutterbugs: Oskar Bakke, David Fleetham, Ansel Adams

Hank Klein, 69
Vice chairman, Blanca Commercial Real Estate
Miami

Hank Klein first learned his way around a camera at 18.

“I joined the Miami News right after graduating high school and was promoted to staff photographer at 19,” he recalls. Five decades later, Klein’s still snapping, only using digital instead of film. “As newspaper photogs, we used black and white. Working with film restricted the amount of pictures. I now have unlimited opportunities to shoot photos.” Last fall, he had a show of his work at Books & Books in Coral Gables that drew 400 people; this past March, he had an exhibit in the Wynwood Arts District.

Favorite thing to shoot: “I have a variety of subjects. It means traveling and being at home. I can take a common item and turn it into art.”

Go-to equipment: “I use a Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens that goes from 25mm to 600mm. It’s beyond fabulous. I don’t have any accessories except my brain, my eyes and my heart.”

Adrianne Weissman, 56
Owner, Evelyn & Arthur women’s clothing stores
Jupiter

The retail entrepreneur’s love for shooting pictures bloomed in college, when she started taking photography lessons. “I’ve always loved taking photos, but once I had children, and when we began to travel, my love grew even more,” says Weissman, who enjoys reliving her trips through the images she captures. “When you travel, there is always so much beauty around you. It’s unique and different from what you’re used to, and it’s amazing to bring that with you when you return home.”

Film or digital? “I love the ease of digital. It provides instant gratification. I like to be able to see my work immediately and adjust images digitally.”

Filters and other fun apps: “On my iPhone, I would say my favorite is Litely. The app is free and provides options to enhance your images. I also like the UV filter for my camera. It neutralizes strong colors and improves clarity.”

Go-to equipment: “I like to use my Canon, but I will take pictures on anything that is close by, like an iPhone. You never want to miss a moment, and capturing it is what’s important.”

Favorite shutterbug: Annie Leibovitz

Ciro Campagnoli, 38
Entrepreneur/owner, Sense Beach House
Miami Beach

When the hotelier was 20 years old, his then-girlfriend bought him a reflex manual camera as a gift. “That camera stuck with me for the next 10 years on my travels through Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Morocco and more,” he says — and it awakened a new passion. He’s even participated in some still life and travel photo competitions.

Favorite subject: “I’m an avid stand-up paddle boarder, and as a result, most of my shoots focus on the waves, surf and beaches. A frequent traveler, my destinations are also another common subject. Just recently, I traveled solo through Death Valley, where I was able to capture some amazing shots.”

Film or digital? “I used 35mm film for some time and I do miss the suspense and uncertainty of not knowing how the shot came out. There was always an element of thrill while developing the film.”

Go-to equipment: “I have a Nikon D40x that I love, but I’m ready to go to the next level with a Nikon D610 + Nikkor lenses 24/70 and 70/200.”

Favorite shutterbug: David LaChapelle

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