Germany 1933 – Reflex TLR – 120 film – Rare. The Rolleicord I was introduced in November 1933 by Rollei (Franke & Heidecke) It was a simplified version of the Standard Rolleiflex, with a cheaper 75mm Zeiss Triotar lens and a knob instead of the crank for advancing the film. It aimed at bringing a … Read more98 Rollei
Rolleicord “Art Deco”
The most baroque
France 1945 – Compact – 127 film – Rare. The Lynx II is 127 film camera made from 1945 by the French maker Pontiac (previously known as MFAP, an acronym for Manufacture Française d’Appareils Photographiques). It is a unique and gorgeous device, its cast aluminum body showing an intricate machining made to remind of rows of woven … Read more89 Pontiac
Lynx II
Japan 1947 – Compact – 127 film – Rare. Produced in Japan by Tōa Kōki Seisakusho (Far-East Optical Works, usually called Toakoki) for about 15 years from 1936, the Gelto DIII was a desirable camera that definitely stood out on the shelves of the camera shops. The Gelto is indeed a striking device with very … Read more59 Toakoki
Gelto DIII
Jewel camera
Italy 1949 – Compact – 35 mm – Very Rare. The Bilux, released in 1949 in Milan by the Industria Scientifico Ottica (ISO), is probably one of the most sought after cameras ever built. Produced in about 200 copies before ISO released the “Standard” and mythical “Reporter”, the Bilux is both an incredibly well built … Read more58 ISO
Bilux
Few 100s produced
Italy 1947 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. The Duca was the second camera produced by Durst, an Italian company headquartered in Brixen, South Tyrol. It was first presented at the 24th Milan Trade Fair in September 1946 and went into production until 1952. The Duca is a quite basic and yet solid device … Read more56 Durst
Duca
Italy 1950 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. Ducati was founded in Bologna (Italy) in 1926 by the three brothers Adriano, Bruno and Marcello Ducati. Even though today the company is principally known for its (exceptional) motorcycles, Ducati started its activity with the production of electrical condensers. Later, they diversified in the fields of … Read more50 Ducati
Simplex
Before the motorcycles
Italy 1952 – Compact – 127 film – Rare. Some designs are just Italian. Period. And sometimes design makes everything. Bencini, established in Milan in the late 1930’s was one of the flag bearers of the Italian camera market in the middle of last century. Most of the Bencini cameras were variations of a traditional … Read more48 Bencini
Comet III
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
Austria 1951 – Subminiature – 16 mm – Very Rare. Introduced in 1951 by Optische Anstalt C. P. Goerz in Vienna, Austria, the Goerz Minicord is regarded as one of the premier subminiature cameras, standing alongside the Gami 16 and Minox in terms of optical and mechanical excellence, as noted by Paul Wahl. Renowned for … Read more8 C.P. Goerz
Minicord “gold”
United States 1936 – Folding – 828 Bantam – Very Rare. Debuted in 1936, the Kodak Bantam Special stands as a contender for one of the most exquisite camera designs ever created. Its distinct Streamline Moderne Art Deco aesthetics were masterminded by Walter Dorwin Teague, renowned for his contributions to Texaco gas stations, TWA branding, … Read more6 Kodak
Bantam Special
Design by Walter Teague
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