United States 1938 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. The Argus C might just be the most recognizable camera ever built. For obvious reasons, it is known as “the brick” and its most common version, the Argus C3, is one of the longest product lines ever. It was in production from 1939 to 1966 … Read more35 Argus
Argus C
The iconic “brick”
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
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
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 – Very 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 … Read more17 Leica
Leica III (mod. F)
The most copied
Japan 1961 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. The Canon 7 rangefinder was introduced in 1961and is the last model compatible with the Leica M39 lens mount. Even though Canon had already issued single lens reflex (SLR) cameras at the time, the brand wanted to produce a fast-shooting rangefinder camera for reportage in direct … Read more16 Canon
Canon 7
Fastest lens of its time
Japan 1950 – Compact – 35 mm – Rare. In 1948, during the period of occupied Japan, Nippon Kogaku introduced its inaugural camera, the Nikon. Originally christened “Nikorette,” derived from Nippon Kogaku, with “ette” added to emphasize its diminutive size, the name eventually transformed into “Nikon,” becoming the iconic brand we recognize today. Two years … Read more7 Nikon
Nikon S
Very early Nikon
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