Unveiling the Hidden Lenses of Vintage Photo Booths: A Journey into the Past
Uncover the secret lenses inside old-school analog photo booths and the unique experience they offer.
Photographer and YouTube creator Mathieu Stern is on a mission to uncover the hidden lenses inside vintage analog photo booths. His curiosity stems from a desire to recreate the classic look of these booths at home. But this quest is not as straightforward as one might think. Stern's journey begins in a museum cafe in Nantes, France, where he discovers a photo booth that sparks his curiosity.
"What kind of lens is actually inside that thing?" he wonders. But finding the answer proves challenging. The lens is only exposed during shooting, and identifying it requires a closer look. Stern's initial attempts to find the answer online are unsuccessful, leading him to explore unconventional sources.
The story of the photo booth dates back to 1925 when Anatol Josepho invented the Photomaton, one of the first fully automated photo booths. People could insert 25 cents and receive eight printed photos in return. The booth's development and printing process took about 10 minutes, which was a significant improvement over the time and cost of traditional portrait photography. This innovation made it possible for everyday people to get portraits of themselves.
In the following decades, photo booths became a staple at various locations, including train stations, fairs, and shopping centers. However, with the rise of instant film cameras and digital photography, analog photo booths gradually disappeared. Today, there are fewer than 200 working chemical analog photo booths left in the world.
Despite their decline, people still love these vintage booths. Stern's video showcases long lines of people eager to have their portraits taken, highlighting the enduring appeal of these unique photo experiences. The special feeling and nostalgic quality of analog photo booths make them a cherished part of photography history.
Stern's investigation leads him to uncover a 1940s patent describing the lens, an f/2, 3-inch Wollensak portrait lens. This lens, as explained in the patent, compensates for depth of field, eliminating the need for focusing. Wollensak later produced a dedicated photo booth lens, the 75mm f/4.5 "Photomat" prime lens.
However, Stern's research reveals a twist. A video of a restored old analog photo booth in London shows a different lens, a Dallmayer 75mm f/4.5 enlarging lens. Further investigation, including capturing video inside photo booths with a Sony Alpha camera, leads him to discover a Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 lens in two different French photo booths.
With this new information, Stern embarks on recreating the classic look at home. He provides instructions for other photographers to achieve the same effect, even with modern digital cameras. While the look can be replicated, Stern emphasizes that the feeling and experience of the original photo booth are unique and cannot be fully captured.
"When I first stepped inside that photo booth in the museum cafe, I thought these vintage machines must have some sort of incredible secret optical technology that makes you look great no matter what. A lens that would be impossible for me to find," Stern reflects. However, he acknowledges that the special feeling and artistic approach of analog photo booths are what make them truly unique, offering a distinct experience and one-of-a-kind photos.
Image credits: Mathieu Stern
