Japan 1949 – Subminiature – 17.5 mm – Rare. Konishiroku stands as one of Japan’s oldest photographic enterprises, with its origins tracing back to 1873 – a history predating even that of Kodak, which officially began in 1881. The company was established by Rokusaburo Sugiura, a pharmacist who embarked on selling photographic merchandise from Tokyo’s … Read more29 Konishiroku
Snappy
Police pocket camera
England 1937 – Compact – 127 film – Rare. Certain designs possess such distinctive uniqueness that they can be attributed solely to British ingenuity. The Purma Special undeniably belongs to this remarkable category. Conceived by artist Tom Purvis and inventor Alfred Croger Mayo, the Purma Special (a fusion of PURvis and MAyo) stands as an … Read more28 Purma Cameras
Purma Special
Incredible British design
Japan 1956 – Subminiature – 16 mm – Rare. The Kiku 16, measuring under 6 cm, stands as one among the myriad of subminiature cameras that emerged from Japan in the mid-1950s. What sets the Kiku 16 apart is its remarkably refined craftsmanship, seemingly crafted to emulate a miniature version of a Leica. A button … Read more27 Morita
Kiku 16 (mod. 2)
Germany 1939 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. The Contax II emerged as a pivotal element in Zeiss Ikon’s concerted effort to challenge Leica’s dominance during the 1930s. Manufactured starting from 1936, the Contax II’s innovative prowess is believed to have vaulted it a decade ahead of the Leica III. At its core, it … Read moreZeiss Ikon
Contax II
Germany 1956 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. Among the plethora of 35mm film cameras, Voigtlander’s foldable rangefinders, the Vitessa, emerge as some of the most visually captivating and unforgettable pieces. These cameras boast an unmistakable angular design, wherein the lens elegantly emerges from a dual-flap opening – a distinctive feature that sets them … Read more25 Voigtlander
Vitessa A
Germany 1960 – Reflex TLR – 120 film – Rare. Few cameras hold the legendary status of the Rolleiflex. First introduced in 1929, it quickly became the epitome of professional photography equipment, shaping the industry and inspiring generations of photographers. For decades, mastering the Rolleiflex was a rite of passage for seasoned professionals, while owning … Read more24 Rollei
Rolleiflex
The professional
USSR 1939 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. The Fed 1 Type A camera holds a legendary status, representing a pivotal point in photography history. Arguably, it stands as the most significant camera ever produced in the Soviet Union. Functioning as the USSR’s initial endeavor to create a high-caliber 35mm compact camera, the Fed … Read more22 Fed
Fed I Type A
First soviet copy
Japan 1951 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. After World War II, Canon embarked on the production of rangefinder cameras and continually released updated versions with consistent innovations. The IIIA, emerging in the early 1950s, was among the initial models mass-produced and introduced several novel features, notably the compatibility of its mount with Leica … Read more19 Canon
Canon IIIA
Germany 1974 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. The Rollei 35, a 35 mm miniature viewfinder camera manufactured by Rollei in 1966, holds the distinction of being one of the smallest 35 mm cameras ever crafted. Heinz Waaske, the chief engineer at the German camera manufacturer Wirgin, conceived the design for the Rollei 35 … Read more18 Rollei
Rollei 35 S Jubilee
Germany 1934 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. Succeeding the Leica I and produced concurrently with the Leica II, the Leica III stands out as arguably the most iconic and emulated camera design in history. The protective cover for the viewfinder and rangefinder has served as inspiration for countless imitations, a trend that endures … Read more17 Leica
Leica III (mod. F)
The most copied
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