Preserving memories through vintage cameras

KUALA TERENGGANU – A deep passion for photography since the age of 12 has led an elderly man to amass over 150 cameras of various types and brands, now stored as a personal collection in his home at Pangsapuri Kampung Tiong, here.

Wang Fook Seek, 82, said he still owns film cameras from before Malaysia’s independence, including various models over 75 years old, such as the German-made Rolleiflex camera.

"Since childhood, I have been interested in photography. Most of the pictures I took capture the local scenery and culture," he said.

As a teenager, he worked at a sawmill while also taking up side jobs photographing tourists at popular locations like Batu Buruk Beach and Kampung Cina to earn extra income.

He said the Yashica film camera, purchased in 1960, became his main tool for capturing images of tourists and the surroundings of Kuala Terengganu.

He said the camera also holds many meaningful memories in his life.

"To this day, I still keep that Japanese-made camera because it is very valuable to me. I would never sell it, even if someone offered me a high price.

"For me, that camera is priceless. In fact, if my children do not want to keep my camera collection, I would prefer that the Yashica camera be buried with me when I pass away," he said.

A diverse collection

Wang said his collection spans various eras, from film to digital cameras.

He said most of the cameras still work, although some have suffered damage due to a lack of spare parts.

"I own cameras from the 1950s to the 2000s, including film, Polaroid, digital and underwater types. Most of these cameras were purchased with my own money, although some were gifts from friends.

"One of the most valuable collections I had was a more than 100-year-old antique Voigtlander Braunschweig camera from Germany, but I sold it when I received a high offer," he said.

The Kuala Berang-born man also admitted that he had to sell some of his camera collections to meet living expenses.

"I really hated to sell them, but some cameras were in high demand.

"The most expensive was a Leica film camera, which I sold for RM10,000 to a customer from Kuala Lumpur.

"However, cameras with sentimental value and full of memories will always be kept until the end of my life," he said.

International success

Wang's passion for photography also led him to participate in numerous art photography competitions, including those at the international level.

In 1988, Wang brought pride to the country when he won an award from the International Photographic Salon of Japan for his image of a group of fishermen pushing a wooden boat to the shore at Batu Buruk Beach.

"In addition, I once photographed the tradition of house-raising in Kuala Berang in 1970. That photo received recognition and awards both domestically and abroad," he shared.

Although the world has shifted to the digital era, Wang remains loyal to film cameras, believing they carry more meaning.

"I do use a digital camera now, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of taking photos with a film camera and printing them myself.

"For me, memories from the past and old items always hold their own special value. Film cameras will always be my choice and will continue to be preserved as beautiful memories for life," he said.