Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

This past week was one of the final weeks of the semester at my university, so to reward my students, we went to the Shanghai Antique Camera museum. A wonderful little place that has some pretty interesting cameras. Leica, Nikon, Seagull and even a camera named "Five Goats", which is a Chinese reference to a fairy tale and it identifies with the city of Guangzhou (gwang-joe). Don't get too excited about going out and finding a Five Goats camera on E-Bay, there were only 2500 ever made and they are expensive. Shots here are:

1) My class. A great bunch of students and I am quite proud of them for working so hard this semester.

2) An "East Wind". Only 93 ever made and is a copy of a Hasselblad 500CM. Mao's wife was a noted photographer and loved her Leica and Hasselblad, and wanted China to produce its' own high quality camera. She personally owned many of these and due to the high production cost and R&D needed to make the camera, they were discontinued. Highly coveted among collectors.

3)An old Nikon Rangefinder. It was labeled as an S2, but in researching last night, I think it is an S3.

4) The Red Flag 20. Produced for the 20th anniversary of the Communist takeover of China. They are also exceedingly rare and are a Leica knock-off, but of exceedingly good quality. They, along with the "East Wind" are highly prized and considered the "holy grail" of Chinese cameras.

5) A model of the "Five Goats" camera. Never heard of this brand, even after living here for 5 years. Interesting name if you understand the story behind it, funny if you don't.

Hope you enjoy!


Mark Lent

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

So . . . . Tell us the 5 goats story. Please.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Yes, five goats story. I second the motion!

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

I hate having to use Wikipedia, but am really busy. Here is the down-low on the Five Goats:



The Legend of Five Goats - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Five_Goats

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

My understanding of the story is that these uncivilized people were in the verge of death. They were starving and hallucinating that when 5 bow hunters guided by their dogs came, what they saw was 5 Gods riding on 5 goats holding stalks of wheat.
They were taught by these people how to farm and during those times, the 5 dogs stood guard on top of the hill and afterwards when they left, the rocks on top of the hill reminds them and became monuments of the event, remaining in their memories as the legend of the 5 goats.

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Know nothing of the story. Will take your word for it... ;-)

Mark Lent

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Great tour. Thanks!!!

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I know the true story. It took five goat skins before they found the right one to make the first bellows. And thats the truth. I wouldn't lie to you.

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Now, THAT is a story that I can get behind! :-) Thanks for making me laugh, Hal!

Mark Lent

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Great pictures. How about an image with you in it surrounded by your students?