Before the 21st century, camera designs were very distinct from what we see today. Back then, the gear would be large, often heavy, or would need the longest exposures. However, that was the case with traditional cameras used by innovators and photographers in mainstream business. However, a quick search on the internet will make you realize that before we reached this stage, some creators decided to create the most unusual-looking cameras ever. The reason may vary, but we are happy to know they existed. Here’s a look at some unusual-looking cameras, which you may find horrifying or hilarious.
All images in the article are screenshots from respective websites.
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Skull Camera
As grotesque as it may sound, this camera was actually created with a human skull. Photographer and sculptor Wayne Martin Belger decided to embark on a project titled The Beauty of Decay Project, which began in 2000. According to his Instagram, the idea of the project began when he heard his friend talk about a human skull and bones that were at his place. They were a part of his relative’s belongings from the 1900s, as medical students would often get a chance to gather human remains as part of their study kit.
Once he requested his friend to send the remains over, Belger took it to another surgeon to have studied. He then learned the skull belonged to a 10- to 13-year-old European female, estimating it to be 150 to 200 years old. “I was struck by the patina on the skull, viewing the transformation caused by aging as beautiful. This led me to explore the idea that decay is beautiful,” he wrote on his Instagram post. Over the next nine months, he turned the skull into a 4-inch x 5-inch pinhole camera, which was then adorned with gems and silver. “I visit places of decay with the camera to understand why certain levels of decomposition are perceived as offensive instead of another fascinating progression of nature,” he added. So, we had to add it to our unusual-looking cameras list.
Turtle Shell Camera
Yet another film camera by Swiss artists Taiyo Onorato and Nico Krebs was designed using a taxidermy turtle shell. But that was not it. The duo also created cameras using books, armadillos, and West African sculptures. In their interview with American Photo Magazine, the duo jointly stated, “We found ourselves thinking about what a camera is, or what it needs to have. The expression of the camera “body” can be a starting point for an exploration.” There are no details about how it works, but it is surely one of the most unusual-looking cameras ever.
Lucky Strike Spy Camera
This camera was created for the U.S. Signal Corps between 1949 and 1950 for the military. It featured a 17.5mm f2.7 Sonnar-type lens. A four-speed focal plane shutter is inside the logo. As one of the unusual-look cameras, it could capture 18 exposures per roll of 16 mm film and also included a light meter.
Cane Handle Camera
Created in 1903 by Emil Kronke and A. Lehman, the cane handle camera was named Ben Akiba and had a functioning shutter, which could be realized when one uses the knob below the handle. It also features a 9/35 mm lens and can capture twenty-four 13mm x 25 mm photographs. To remove the roll of film, you have to use the side of the handle, and one could store four such roles in one cane. There is no reason why this was created, but one assumes it could be for discretion. Since its invention, many replicas of the original have been created, and in 2002, it was sold for up to $27,000.
Ticka Watch Camera
Still available on eBay, the Ticka watch camera was designed by Magnus Neill, a Swiss engineer who worked with both Houghton and the Expo Camera Company between 1905 and 1914. The camera, quite discreet, could shoot an 18mm roll of film, taking 25 pictures of 22mm x 16mm size. It had a fixed focus, aperture, and a shutter with a timer setting. It also featured an automatic exposure counter, while its lever functioned as a shutter. There is also a viewfinder, which helps one in framing a shot. It is small but also useful in certain situations. So it had to be on the unusual-looking cameras list.
L.Bloch Le Sherlock Holmes
Created by Edmund and Leon Bloch, this camera was disguised as a small briefcase. One can use it when they open the briefcase, and the shutter is placed right below the camera. There was also a small lever at the rear for the plates. It is not known whether the camera was actually ever used. However, the design is certainly wonderful.
Propeller-Powered Airplane Camera
Launched in 1915, the Williamson airplane camera was not designed to fly but was created to help military people capture aerial photographs during the First World War. It was attached beneath the airphone, while the movement of the propeller would change the film. However, it is unclear how many images it could take or who would press the shutter. But its boxy appearance certainly made it to our list.
Binocular Spy Camera
Created by Nicnon, a Japanese company, the Nicca camera could capture half-frame exposures on 35mm film. It used 165mm f/3.5 lenses and 7×50 magnification binoculars. It was possibly created for spies during the World War or the Cold War so they could take photographs while pretending that they were simply looking at a landscape.
French Revolver Camera
Designed by Albert Posso for Enjalbert, a French company, only six of them survive today. Posso was a gunsmith working in the 19th century when the company approached him to create a camera that appeared like a gun. His skills came in handy, and as one can see above, it is crafted perfectly. The cylinder features a magazine mechanism for 10 plates, each 16x16mm in size. Its shutter release actually functioned with the release trigger.
Pigeon Camera
No list of unusual-looking cameras is complete without this one. Julius Neubronner did many things, one of which was his love for photography. One could say that he was one of the few pioneers who shot the first aerial photographs of his time. And how did he achieve that? with the help of carrier pigeons. His father was already using them for his business as a doctor, so when Julius took over, and one of the pigeons did not return for four weeks, he got curious. He filed a patent for the smallest camera featuring a pneumatic shutter release, weighing only 40 grams. He used a rubber ball, which was inflated by a hose when the pigeon took off the ground. This helped release the shutter, and when the ball deflated, the shutter was triggered, and a photo was taken.
These cameras were in use with the CIA as well. To quote our previous article on this:
Training the birds to fly with cameras was a whole other part of the operation. The C.I.A. details training the birds to stay in light-sealed containers.
It’s a fascinating development, and isn’t around anymore. But it it’s still rather intriguing.