2,000 cameras: a unique collection of photo cameras and a club

Imagine you are casually pulling a pack of cigarettes out of your pocket and pressing your finger against one of the filters. There's a metallic sound, the pack gives a bit, and then: click. You are holding the spy camera Kiev 1978. This is what the maker wanted Westerners visiting Ukraine during the Cold War to believe. In other words, it's a decoy for tourists. Federico B., an engineer from Geneva, has a collection of such cameras, as well as other devices dating from the early 1900s to 1980, which he inherited from his father, a former engineer at CERN who passed away. He has decided to keep his father's legacy alive by starting the 99 Cameras Club project and delving into the history of photography.

A collection of hundreds of cameras, each unique in its own way, are shelved in display cases in a location in Ile-de-France, while the rest of the collection is stored in Switzerland. The collection includes large and small cameras, and miniatures, encased in metal or plastic. Federico, the collector, explains that the selection is not meant to be the best cameras in the world or a history of photography, but rather a collection that is the result of fifty years of wandering and following his heart, much like the way he used to spend time scouring flea markets with his father.

The 99 Cameras Club project aims to share the story of this collection through a curated selection of 99 cameras, with Federico posting one camera per day on social media and his website with its history and characteristics. The project is a way for Federico to maintain a connection with his father, who passed away suddenly.

Exploring this collection means uncovering objects of beauty and intricate design. Federico presents his treasures like the spy camera made in Latvia in 1937, the size of a lighter. This model was popularized by James Bond in the movie titled On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and was a favorite tool of intelligence agencies around the world due to its small size and impressive macro focus.

Federico points out that these cameras are a window into a past world, representing the high technology of the time. One of his favorites is a camera used by the KGB which featured a spring-loaded clockwork mechanism that allowed agents to take a series of shots without having to manually rewind the film. The collection also includes a miniature camera that can be hidden in a tie, a wristwatch camera, and cameras mounted on German Stuka planes. Each device has a story to tell. The collection also includes true vintage timepieces such as the 1937 Compass made by the Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre, which Federico describes as the coolest thing he has ever seen, with a complicated mechanism that took a watchmaker to craft. The aluminum case features built-in filters, a tab to feel the right aperture, and a telescopic object, making it a true gem.

Other cameras in the collection are fashion objects in their own right, with sleek designs such as Kodak’s Bantam Special, introduced in 1936 in the United States, designed in pure art deco style. There is also a mini Rolleiflex, the size of a lighter, and the trendy and colorful Kodak Petite in the vest-pocket series.

Even more unique is the Ginfax model shaped like a can of Coca-Cola! The collection also includes iconic Leica classics such as the Leica I, also known as the A Model, which was plagiarized by the Soviets and designed as a camera for the people. The value of the collection is difficult to estimate, though Federico’s father kept a precise record of the purchases.

Who is Federico? He is an engineer of digital collectibles, planning to use new technologies such as NFTs to enhance the collection. He also hopes to offer a membership card and allow people to create their own digital collection.

But it's worth noting that the photography market has already embraced the use of NFTs. And for example, Agence France Presse (AFP) recently sold its first such photos, with prices reaching nearly 15,000 euros, including 7,500 euros for a simple shot of American politician Bernie Sanders sitting and wearing hand-made mittens, which had gone viral on the internet.

However, the goal of the 99 Cameras Club project is not to make money, but rather to offer new content to photography enthusiasts. Federico wants to use the proceeds to finance the collection and potentially create a book and exhibition to showcase the history and story of each camera. The project aims to create a sharing dynamic through the website and social media that appeals to a wider audience of curious individuals, and not just expert enthusiasts. The use of a visually appealing format and innovative technologies such as NFTs aims to attract a younger, natively digital audience, which has paradoxically shown an increasing interest in film photography.