Before the 21st century, the designs of cameras were quite different from those we see now. During that time, the devices were typically large, frequently cumbersome, or required extensive exposure times. However, this was the scenario with the conventional cameras utilized by pioneers and photographers in the mainstream industry. A simple search online will reveal that before we evolved to this stage, some inventors opted to craft some of the most unconventional cameras imaginable. The motivations may differ, yet we are pleased to acknowledge their existence. Here’s a glance at some unusual-looking cameras, which you might find either alarming or amusing.
Table of Contents
- Skull Camera
- Turtle Shell Camera
- Lucky Strike Spy Camera
- Cane Handle Camera
- Ticka Watch Camera
- L. Bloch Le Sherlock Holmes
- Propeller-Powered Airplane Camera
- Binocular Spy Camera
- French Revolver Camera
- Pigeon Camera
Skull Camera
As strange as it may seem, this camera was actually fashioned from a human skull. Photographer and sculptor Wayne Martin Belger chose to undertake a project called The Beauty of Decay Project, which commenced in 2000. Based on his Instagram, the concept for the project arose after he heard his friend mention a human skull and bones that resided at his home. They belonged to his relative and dated back to the 1900s, as medical students would often possess human remains as part of their study materials.
After asking his friend to send the remains to him, Belger consulted another surgeon for examination. He subsequently discovered the skull belonged to a European female aged between 10 and 13 years, estimated to be 150 to 200 years old. “I was captivated by the patina on the skull, seeing the change brought about by aging as exquisite. This inspired me to investigate the notion that decay is beautiful,” he expressed in his Instagram update. Over the subsequent nine months, he transformed the skull into a pinhole camera measuring 4 inches x 5 inches, which was later embellished with gemstones and silver. “I explore sites of decay with the camera to comprehend why some levels of decay are viewed as unpleasant rather than a captivating aspect of nature’s progression,” he noted. Therefore, we felt it was essential to include it in our list of unusual-looking cameras.
Turtle Shell Camera
Another film camera crafted by Swiss artists Taiyo Onorato and Nico Krebs was made using a taxidermied turtle shell. But that was not all. The pair also constructed cameras from books, armadillos, and West African artwork. In their discussion with American Photo Magazine, the duo collectively remarked, “We found ourselves contemplating what constitutes a camera, or what it must possess. The representation of the camera ‘body’ can serve as a starting point for exploration. ” There is no information regarding its functionality, yet it remains one of the most unconventional camera designs ever.
Lucky Strike Spy Camera
This camera was developed for the U. S. Signal Corps from 1949 to 1950 for military purposes. It included a 17. 5mm f2. 7 Sonnar-type lens. Located within the logo is a four-speed focal plane shutter. Being one of the uniquely designed cameras, it was capable of capturing 18 exposures per roll of 16 mm film and also had a light meter.
Cane Handle Camera
Developed in 1903 by Emil Kronke and A. Lehman, the cane handle camera was called Ben Akiba and had a working shutter, activated by turning the knob beneath the handle. It is equipped with a 9/35 mm lens and is capable of taking twenty-four 13mm x 25 mm photographs. To extract the roll of film, one must utilize the side of the handle, and four rolls can be stored within the same cane. There is no clear reason for its creation, but one might speculate it was meant for discretion. Since its inception, numerous replicas of the original have been made, and it was sold for as much as $27,000 in 2002.
Ticka Watch Camera
Currently available on eBay, the Ticka watch camera was created by Magnus Neill, a Swiss engineer who collaborated with both Houghton and the Expo Camera Company during the years 1905 to 1914. This camera, fairly discreet, was able to shoot an 18mm roll of film, capturing 25 images sized at 22mm x 16mm. It had a fixed focus, aperture, and a shutter equipped with a timer feature. An automatic exposure counter was included, and a lever acted as the shutter. Additionally, there was a viewfinder to assist in shot framing. Its compact size also made it quite handy in specific scenarios. Thus, it warranted a place on the unusual-looking cameras list.
L. Bloch Le Sherlock Holmes
Designed by Edmund and Leon Bloch, this camera was camouflaged as a small briefcase. It can be operated when the briefcase is opened, and the shutter is located just beneath the camera. There was a small lever positioned at the rear for the plates. It is uncertain whether the camera was actually used in practice. Nevertheless, the design is undoubtedly impressive.
Propeller-Powered Airplane Camera
Introduced in 1915, the Williamson airplane camera was not intended for flight but was made to assist military personnel in capturing aerial images during World War I. It was mounted beneath the airphone, with the propeller’s movement advancing the film. However, it remains unclear how many pictures it could take or who was responsible for pressing the shutter. Nonetheless, its boxy design certainly earned it a spot on our list.
Binocular Spy Camera
Developed by Nicnon, a Japanese firm, the Nicca camera was capable of capturing half-frame exposures on 35mm film. It employed 165mm f/3. 5 lenses along with 7×50 magnification binoculars. It was likely designed for spies during World War II or the Cold War, allowing them to take pictures while seemingly just observing a landscape.
French Revolver Camera
Created by Albert Posso for Enjalbert, a French manufacturer, only six examples of this camera still exist today. In the 19th century, Posso was a gunsmith when the company asked him to design a camera that resembled a firearm. His expertise was invaluable, and as can be observed above, it is crafted remarkably well. The cylinder includes a magazine construction for 10 plates, each measuring 16x16mm. Its shutter release operated using the trigger mechanism.
Pigeon Camera
No compilation of peculiar cameras would be complete without mentioning this one. Julius Neubronner undertook many ventures, one of which was his passion for photography. It can be said that he was among the early innovators who captured the first aerial photographs of his era. And how did he accomplish that? with the assistance of carrier pigeons. His father had already been employing them for his medical practice, so when Julius took over, and one of the pigeons did not return for four weeks, his curiosity was piqued. He submitted a patent for the tiniest camera equipped with a pneumatic shutter release, weighing merely 40 grams. He utilized a rubber ball, which was inflated via a hose when the pigeon lifted off. This mechanism helped to trigger the shutter, and when the ball deflated, the shutter was activated, resulting in a photograph being captured.