Tiny "retro" keychain cameras are going viral. But this rare 1950s Leica is actually retro – and is only about 2.5 inches tall
Leica once built a metal half-frame film camera that fit in the palm of a hand. Only one working version exists
Tiny retro keychain cameras have gone viral, but a rare 1950s Leica is truly retro – measuring just 2.5 inches tall. In the mid-1950s, Leica created a half-frame 35mm film camera called the Leica Box, which was a prototype. This miniature camera measured 100 x 64 x 48mm and used a fixed Leitz Summaron lens. Despite its compact size, it still featured a viewfinder, shutter speed dial, and aperture ring around the lens.
The Leica Box used a special cassette system to load 35mm film and took half-frame photos, granting twice as many shots per roll. The camera, with serial number 000.01, is believed to be the only working prototype in existence, currently auctioned by Leitz Photographica Auction. The camera is estimated to fetch up to €500,000.
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