Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The intricate world of cameras brought to you by {name}

Edwin Molenaar

Comes with official original case with its instructions inside 

The camera is a MOM Mometta III, historically significant 35mm rangefinder camera manufactured in Hungary during the 1950s. The MOM (Magyar Optikai Művek – Hungarian Optical Works) brand was once the pride of Hungarian camera production. The Mometta III, in particular, stands as a testament to mid-20th-century Eastern European photographic engineering. This essay explores the camera’s features, build, legacy, and value in today’s vintage camera market, all while subtly embedding relevant search keywords for enhanced online visibility.

The Mometta III is a 35mm film camera built with durable metal construction, wrapped in a leatherette body covering, giving it a solid, vintage aesthetic. It uses manual focus, featuring a Váhár 1:3.5 f=50mm lens—a standard prime lens ideal for portrait, landscape, street photography, and still life. The lens is equipped with manual aperture control, depth of field scale, and precise focusing rings, making it a suitable tool for serious collectors, photographers, and analog camera enthusiasts.

This vintage rangefinder camera includes an optical viewfinder, a mechanical shutter, and manual film advance system. It does not rely on batteries, offering complete mechanical reliability, a rare trait sought after in today’s mostly digital, battery-dependent market. The Mometta III is a fully mechanical 35mm camera, designed for the deliberate photographer who enjoys full control over exposure, shutter speed, and focus adjustment.

Collectors appreciate the Mometta III for its retro industrial design, minimalistic controls, and compact body—attributes that make it desirable for camera display, shelf decor, camera collectors, and historical photography collections. It’s ideal for those who collect Soviet-era cameras, Cold War relics, or Hungarian-made equipment. Keywords like vintage optics, classic rangefinder, film camera collectible, 1950s photography, and European analog camera often attract attention in search listings.

Functionally, this camera appeals to users seeking a manual 35mm film camera, a Leica-style shooter, or a mechanical film camera for learning the basics of analog photography. It uses standard 35mm film rolls, which are still available today and compatible with black and white, color negative, or color slide film. Its timeless construction ensures that it remains usable and relevant, even decades after its production.

The lens threading and mount are compatible with other Mometta models and may attract interest from lens modders, adaptation hobbyists, and those seeking vintage lens rendering for filmmaking or retro photography. The Váhár lens itself is often sought after for its unique bokeh, sharpness, and contrast, contributing to a classic analog look that digital filters try to emulate.

The Mometta III is often labeled under search terms like retro camera, vintage film gear, collectible camera, mechanical film camera, manual rangefinder, camera for restoration, shelf piece, industrial design artifact, and 1950s European camera. It stands out in listings alongside brands like Leica, FED, Zorki, Zenit, and Praktica, although its Hungarian origin gives it a rarer, more niche appeal.

This specific unit appears to be in excellent cosmetic condition, with intact lens markings, smooth dials, and visible aperture and distance scales. Such details are important for online buyers searching for camera in good condition, tested film camera, restoration-ready, or camera with original parts.

To summarize, the MOM Mometta III is more than a forgotten piece of 20th-century engineering—it’s a rare, functioning artifact of Eastern European photographic heritage. With its robust mechanics, vintage charm, and collectibility, this camera is an ideal choice for film camera lovers, retro design collectors, and photography educators. Whether you’re interested in it for its aesthetic, history, or shooting capabilities, this Hungarian gem offers a satisfying analog experience in a digital world.


Good

MOM Mometta III - Leica style Analogue camera

Cameras & Optical Equipment

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Budget

From

Closing date

Friday

today

tomorrow

Saturday

3 February

Thursday

Monday

Sunday

5 February

Location

Japan

The Netherlands

Italy

France

Germany

Belgium

Austria

Spain

Portugal

Poland

Hungary

Latvia

Greece

Sweden

Romania

Finland

Hong Kong

Switzerland

Türkiye

Luxembourg

Andorra

United Kingdom

Croatia

Ireland

Brand

Nikon

Canon

Sony

Olympus

Pentax

Minolta

Leica

Tamron

Kodak

Hasselblad

Sigma

Panasonic

Agfa

Zeiss Ikon

Contax

Polaroid

Asahi

Starblitz

KMZ Krasnogorsk

Konica

Fuji

Voigtländer

Leitz

Yashica

Praktica

Object

Analogue camera

Camera lens

Digital camera

Single lens reflex camera (SLR)

Zoomlens

Digital reflex camera (DSLR)

Prime lens

Digital compact camera

Telelens

Wide angle lens

Macro lens

Binoculars

Movie camera

Camera accessories

Analogue compact camera

Video camera

Rangefinder camera

Tripod

Flash

Lens adapter

Medium format camera

Camera bag

Microscope

Film projector

Mirrorless camera

Country of origin

Russia

United States

Unknown

Material

Brass

Metal

Steel

Plastic

Wood

Glass

Silver plated brass

Aluminium

Leather

Bronze

Lacquered brass

Copper

Iron

Paper

Gilt brass

Condition

Very good

Near mint

Fair

Mint

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Excellent

As new

Fine

Extras

Power cord

Remote control

Brochures

Original user manual

Power supply

+ Extra item (see description)

Power Adapter

Case

In original box

Without original box

in sealed box

Period

2010-2020

2000-2010

1970-1980

1990-2000

1980-1990

1960-1970

1950-1960

2020+

1930-1940

1940-1950

1920-1930

1850-1900

1900-1910

2025

1910-1920

2024

2022

2021

1800-1850

2020

2023

Subject

Photography

Technology

Portrait

Reference

Geography

History

Illustrated

Literature

Travels

Style

Vintage

Antique

Modern

Contemporary

Mid-century modern

Biedermeier

Victorian Style

Binding

Hardback

Softback

Edition

1st Edition

Limited edition

Cameras & Optical Equipment

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

MOM Mometta III - Leica style Analogue camera

Popular in Cameras & Optical Equipment

2014 objects

Related collections