Photographic Technology

The Photographic Technology collection comprises examples of the development of the camera from the first commercially available apparatus in 1839 to the present time. This also includes cameras developed for special purposes including:

Panoramic cameras cameras designed to take very wide-angle views

Stereoscopic cameras cameras designed to take photographs that appear in 3-dimensions

Detective and Spy cameras cameras that look like other objects, such as a pocket watch, packet of cigarettes, handbag, gun, etc.

Underwater and Aerial cameras

Three-colour cameras cameras that took 3 exposures through red, green and blue filters for early colour photographs

Tropical cameras cameras made of teakwood and brass for the high temperatures and humidity of the tropics.

The Photographic Technology collection includes lenses (which show the development of optics), viewers (such as those used to look at stereoscopic photographs), early darkroom and processing equipment, early studio furniture and lighting, as well as photography-related toys and ephemera.