Start Ebony 35 de Luxe pinhole camera Analogue camera

[Overview]

This item is a Japanese pinhole camera believed to date to the 1950s, a period when simple photographic devices were produced for educational, experimental, and hobby purposes. Unlike conventional cameras, pinhole cameras use a tiny aperture instead of a glass lens, projecting light directly onto film or photosensitive material. This extremely basic construction represents one of the earliest photographic principles and offers a unique visual character with soft focus and extended exposure times.

During postwar Japan, such cameras were commonly used in schools, science education, and home experimentation, allowing users to understand the fundamentals of photography. They were also enjoyed by hobbyists who valued the hands-on experience of image-making. The minimalist structure reflects an era when accessibility and learning were prioritized over precision optics.

The compact black body emphasizes functionality rather than decoration. With only essential components, this camera illustrates how photography was introduced to ordinary households and students during Japan’s reconstruction period. Devices of this type were often kept at home and brought out for educational demonstrations or casual creative use.

What makes this example appealing to collectors is its preserved condition and confirmed functionality. Many pinhole cameras from this era have been lost or discarded, making surviving working examples increasingly uncommon. Collectors value this type of item for its historical significance, primitive photographic method, display appeal, and direct connection to early amateur photography culture in Japan.

[Key Features]

• Japanese pinhole camera
• Lensless construction using small aperture (pinhole)
• Believed to date to the 1950s
• Designed for educational and hobby photography
• Simple black functional body
• Functions confirmed operational
• Suitable for display or experimental shooting
• Single item

[Estimated Period / Background]

Believed to date to the 1950s (early Showa period).
This era saw widespread use of simple cameras for education and amateur photography as Japan rebuilt its consumer culture after World War II.

[Condition]

Relatively clean condition.
Basic functions confirmed working.
No major structural damage observed.

[Dimensions / Weight]

Approximate body size:
Width: 10 cm
Height: 7 cm
Depth: 7 cm

Camera weight: approx. 215 g
Total items: 1

[Provenance / Notes]

Acquired from a traditional Japanese residence.
Known facts: Japanese pinhole camera construction.
Unknown points: exact manufacturer and original retail history.

[Shipping]

Shipped from Japan with tracking.
Delivered in approximately two weeks via Japan International Post.
Carefully packed for international transport.