USSR 1984 – Compact – 35 mm – Common. The Kiev rangefinders were produced for over 51 years by the Arsenal factory in Kiev (Ukraine, USSR) and carry an incredible history. At the end of World War II, the victorious Red Army captured and “relocated” the still-standing Dresden Zeiss factories to Ukraine to start a … Read moreKiev Arsenal
Kiev 4 A
Japan 1978 – Subminiature – 110 film – Infrequent. Launched in 1978, the Pentax Auto 110 was a very exciting camera, causing quite a stir among photography fans. It was indeed a (super cute) miniature version of a 35 mm interchangeable lens reflex. Pentax engineers were the first to release a 110 reflex, equipping it with … Read more46 Pentax
Auto 110
France 1949 – Compact – 35 mm – Infrequent. At a time when the first 35mm single lens reflex were beginning to appear, the most renowned cameras were the Leicas, with their high quality mechanics and lenses. But France had something to say with the appreciated Foca Universel. In 1938, the French government had limited … Read more42 Foca
Universel
Hong Kong 1998 – Compact – 35 mm – infrequent. Ginfax is a producer of electronic gadgets and optical goods including novelty cameras. The CC235F is a fun point and shoot 35 mm camera with built-in flash that transforms into a real size Coca-cola can produced at the end of the 90s. Despite its primary … Read moreGinfax
CC235F “Coca Cola”
Hong Kong 1980 – Compact – 110 film – Infrequent. ITT (International Telephone and Telegraph) is a multinational corporation founded in 1920, specializing in the field of telephone communications. While primarily known for its telecommunications endeavors, ITT briefly ventured into the realm of film photography, albeit producing devices of limited interest. These cameras were manufactured … Read moreITT
Fashionflash 405
United States 1960 – Compact – 127 film – Common. The Brownie Starlet, a plastic, fixed-focus camera, was manufactured en masse by Kodak starting from 1957, serving as a prominent member of the successful Star series. Although the Starlet might have been a common and budget-friendly option, its endearing appeal endures, making it one of … Read moreKodak
Brownie Starlet
Kiev 1978 – Spy Camera – 16 mm – Infrequent. Starting in 1978, Kiev Arsenal embarked on a unique endeavor by crafting a distinct version of the Kiev 30 subminiature camera, cleverly concealed within a pack of “John Player Special” cigarettes. Market as a KGB spy camera designed for clandestine activities within the United Kingdom, … Read moreKiev Arsenal
Kiev 30 “John player special”
Japan 1963 – Compact – 35 mm – Infrequent. The Olympus Pen F was the world’s first half-frame reflex camera. The origins of the Pen F trace back to a 1959 challenge posed by Olympus to one of its young engineers, Yoshihisa Maitani. Tasked with creating a compact reflex camera that could retail for under … Read more20 Olympus
Olympus Pen F
Czech Republic 1961 – Stereographic – 16 mm – Infrequent. In 1961, the Stereo Mikroma emerged from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) as the stereographic iteration of Meopta’s classic subminiature camera, the Mikroma. While not exceedingly scarce, the Stereo Mikroma’s compact dimensions and distinct aesthetics have rendered it a captivating collectible. It stands as one … Read more5 Meopta
Stereo-Mikroma
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