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Queen Elizabeth II handed absent these days at the age of 96. 1 of the most photographed human beings of the 20th century, her possess passion for images was no mystery. The late British monarch was frequently documented with a camera in hand. In simple fact, illustrations or photos of her chatting up photographers and inspecting camera gear are abundant.
To rejoice her everyday living and passion for picture-creating, we’ve gathered together some of our favorite photographs of Queen Elizabeth II, the photographer. Just about every reveals her rocking a different digicam, from a golden Rollei 35 to a classic Kodak residence film camera—these are just some of the standouts from her royal selection.
Observe: We could not locate any visuals of the late queen shooting with a digital camera—perhaps she was a movie fanatic via and through? Permit us know if you occur across one, [email protected].
Leica M3
When it comes to the late queen’s favored camera, we will not speculate. But she was most normally noticed handling a silver Leica M3 with an accessory lightmeter mounted on major. And for excellent purpose, the M3 is an absolute classic, not to point out, a workhorse. And when stylish superstars might tote Leicas these times for clout, Queen Elizabeth II was rocking one—and essentially working with it—decades prior. That is a legitimate icon.
Leica M6

At some issue, though, it appears her majesty traded in the Leica M3 for a much more present day Leica M6, which features a constructed-in lightmeter, among other upgrades. Most likely the transfer was merely a usually means to simplify her package? Following all, the two cameras share the exact same primary design and style. If so, there’s one thing oddly relatable about that.
Gold Rollei 35

Relevant: I’m obsessed with the Rollei 35 and haven’t picked nearly anything else up in months
This is by considerably my favourite camera from her majesty’s collection (that I know of). Not only is the Rollei 35 well known for its style and design but to have it dripped out in gold is beyond famous.
For these unfamiliar, this is a single of the smallest 35mm film cameras ever designed, and nevertheless it can be cumbersome to use (delicate fingers are a need to), it’s capable of completely wonderful results—truly a digicam lover’s digital camera.
Canon Sure Shot Tele 80

I should confess, this is an unforeseen just one. The above graphic was captured in May 2000, throughout an period when electronic photography was just beginning to give film a operate for the money. However, as we now know, the late queen seemed keener on celluloid than silicon. So, alternatively than seize a condition-of-the-art, 3-megapixel Canon Powershot G1, her majesty opted for a more humble Canon Absolutely sure Shot Tele 80 film digicam.
Rolleiflex TLR

Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t just a 35mm photographer, she also dabbled in medium structure. And actually, I just cannot feel of a far more pleasant medium format camera to shoot with than a Rolleiflex twin lens reflex (TLR). These are great equipment to handle, on par with Leicas, and proudly owning a single is a testomony to any photographer’s exceptional taste in equipment.
Kodak 16mm cine digicam

Linked: Almost everything you need to have to know to get started off with Super 8 movie
Eventually, a motion picture digicam: Though stills ended up evidently the late queen’s enthusiasm, she was also apparently fond of moviemaking. In this article she is in 1953 taking pictures with the suitably named Kodak Royal, a 16mm, spring-motor-pushed cinema digicam.
And here’s another photograph of her from 1965 with a distinctive cinema digicam. Always on the slicing edge, it’s cathartic to feel about the late Queen of England nerding out on the hottest tech and upgrading her package appropriately, not just as a stills shooter but as a video enthusiast way too.
From a person camera nerd to another, Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.
Observe: An before model of this post misidentified the structure of the queen’s cine camera as 8mm.