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Last update: 17 January 2024    -    Dernière mise-à-jour: 17 janvier 2024



  Spy Cameras 
  Collection - Richard Brisson - Collection  


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Comments / Questions
Additional Web Information/Photos
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Source: Personal Collection
Tessina Automatic 35mm. Precision-built in Switzerland from 1960 to 1996 and was a very easily conceable camera. Featured in Keith Melton's "The Ultimate Spy Book" (1996 edition) on page 62 including a photo of a Tessina concealed in a book. Other related photos:
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Source: Personal Collection
Camera-Lite Cigarette Lighter Camera by Continental NY (Suzuki Optical). This small camera and functional cigarette lighter was manufactured from 1955 until the 1960's. This is the smaller version of the famous Echo-8. The Echo-8 is featured on page 68 of Keith Melton's "The Ultimate Spy Book" (1996 edition). This website has excellent historical details and photos on this camera.
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Source: Personal Collection
Ticka camera made to look like a pocket watch by the British company Houghton - came with original box and instruction booklet. Circa 1904 to 1910 - Expo pocket watch was similar to the Ticka.

I am looking for a good condition viewfinder to add to this set.
This website has excellent historical details and photos on Ticka and Expo cameras.
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Source: Personal Collection
Petal subminiature camera. Manufactured in Japan likely in the late 1940's or early 1950's. Here is a close-up photo of the camera with box of film. This camera is also featured on cover of the October 1987 Smithsonian magazine. Here is an excellent website devoted to the history of the Petal.
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Source: Personal Collection
Soviet MiG-29 spy/gun camera. First MiG-29 fighter was produced in 1983 and many are still in service today. Excellent webpage at this Wikipedia entry.
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Source: Personal Collection
F-21 spy camera - Pictured is the "button" version of this camera. Classic spy camera used by the Soviet Block during the Cold War during the 1950's up to the 1980's. Featured on pages 66 and 67 of Keith Melton's "The Ultimate Spy Book" (1996 edition). This camera could be concealed in a variety of items such as handbags, coat, day planners, umbrella shafts, bras (see this as part of collection of photos for the book "Seduced by Secrets" published in 2008 by Kristie Macrakis. Excellent webpage at this history of F-21 website.
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Source: Personal Collection
KGB pinhole camera. Manufactured in the Soviet Union likely in the 1980's. Often integrated as part of a key holder. Featured on page 69 of Keith Melton's "The Ultimate Spy Book" (1996 edition).  
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Source: Personal Collection
"John Player Special" camera with a Kiev 30 16mm at its core. Manufactured circa 1978. Other related photos:
This camera is featured on page 68 of Keith Melton's "The Ultimate Spy Book" (1996 edition).
Here is an excellent website devoted to the John Player Special camera.
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Source: Personal Collection
"Wristamatic" watch camera - 1981. Manufactured by Magnacam. Other related photos:
This camera is featured on page 68 of Keith Melton's "The Ultimate Spy Book" (1996 edition).
Here is an excellent website devoted to the this wristwatch type camera.
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Source: Personal Collection
Yashica Atoron. From about 1965 and manufactured in Western Germany. Uses Minox film cassettes. Excellent shots of Yashica equipment at this photo gallery website and further historical details at this history of subminiatures website.
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Source: Personal Collection
Edixa-MAT Reflex Model SL-500. From about 1960 to 1968 and manufactured in Western Germany. Interesting historical account at this Edixa and Wirgin website.


If you have questions or suggestions, please email Richard at his spytools@sympatico.ca email address.

Any content (original photos or text) which is displayed herein is for the strict viewing and educational enlightenment for those who visit this website. Other sites can link to content of this website or parts therein and must do so with appropriate and clear accreditation. The whole or any portions of photos and/or text herein or local to this website (i.e. which extend from www.ultrasecret.ca) must not be copied nor reproduced without the explicit consent of the author Richard Brisson at his spytools@sympatico.ca email address.



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