The most expensive cameras in the world

Rating and place in the list is a favorite feature of modern virtual technology portals. But if you look at what are the most expensive cameras in the world, it is not always possible to get an idea of ​​the power and image quality at the price of the product.

The cost of any product is a relative concept. People who are directly involved in trade say that each item is worth exactly as much as the buyer agrees to give for it. That's why the world's most expensive camera is not a modern and powerful camera with unique features that can instantly turn any amateur into a professional, but a model that was released almost 100 years ago.

According to various sources, either 1,900 thousand dollars or 2,970 were paid for it. This is the highest cost a person has ever paid for a camera. Initially, it was estimated at half a million, but during the auction the winner was a collector, ready to give such an amount. This purchase had undeniable merits, from the point of view of collectors of rarities:

• on the body of the model was # 0;
• these are the products of the world's most famous brand;
• product release date - 1023;
• the technique was released in a batch of 25 copies;
• there are only 3 such cameras left in the world.

But they are unlikely to agree to pay that kind of money, even for the most ancient and unique models. TOP-5 cameras, for which connoisseurs of unique products have agreed to pay huge sums, noticeably lag behind the world leader, quite modest, judging by its appearance.

• Per Susse Frères Daguerreotype Camera paid 978 thousand dollars. Experts are sure that this is the only and most ancient surviving in the world. Accidentally found in the basement of a private house, the Seuss Brothers products worked according to the principle invented by Louis Dagger, so it has an oval logo with his portrait.

• Hasselblad 500 Apollo 15 - the buyer (Japanese businessman) gave 910 thousand dollars for the equipment. This is a truly unique example of space technology that has visited the moon together with the Soyuz-Apollo spacecraft. There was a lot of equipment on the spacecraft, but it was dropped like ballast, so the camera is truly one of a kind.

• Gold-plated Leica Luxus II also released by the Leica concern, as well as the undisputed, unattainable leader, but it is priced much more modestly, despite the fact that all the metal has been replaced with gold, the case is sheathed with exotic lizard skin, and even a case for it is made of crocodile skin. For him, the organizers of the auction planned to bail out much more, but it did not work out, only 620 thousand dollars came out. The camera is only 9 years older than the most expensive watering can in the world, without gold and natural finish.

• Nikon One estimated at 406 thousand dollars. He is in perfect condition, despite the fact that he is a 1948 release. Its main value is that it is one of the first three cameras assembled by the now popular brand.

• Hasselblad Space Camera - a model that also visited space, but not on the moon, but on the Mercury-Atlas 8 spacecraft. Especially for the mission, the device was released in 1962, equipped with the necessary accessories and painted in the black color necessary for operation.The buyer gave for it only 2 times more than the initial cost - 270 thousand US dollars.

The cost of professional tools for photographers of the highest level is actually not that significant, although these tools are sometimes priced like a middle-class car or a large country house somewhere in the province. The difference between the leaders in the rating is not very significant, but the leader of the premium list, as always, leaves far behind its competitors in terms of value.

• Hasselblad H4D 200MS now tops all lists of the best professional models. The branded manufacturer has equipped its product with everything that a modern professional photographer can only dream of. The resolution of 200 MP is only one of its indisputable advantages. Six sensors, six images taken simultaneously, combined in the shortest possible time into one file. Its color rendition and crisp detail have made it the preferred technique for studio professionals taking great pictures. In 2019, the equipment cost $ 48,000.

• Seitz 6x17 Panoramic. Estimated cost - 43 thousand dollars. The resolution is 40 MP less than that of the leader of the rating, the high cost is provided by devices that allow you to take wide-format shooting. He will be an indispensable assistant for those who shoot architectural monuments and masterpieces, works of art, group shots and beautiful landscapes.

• Phase One P65 + - the favorite equipment of versatile professionals. The ability to shoot images at the lowest sensitivity and get a high-quality image, combine three hundred objects and ten-plus digital backs, a unique matrix, excellent color depth. All this pleasure costs only $ 40,000.

• Panoscan MK-3 Panoramic also costing 40 thousand dollars - ideal for panoramic filming, but this is not the only area of ​​use where it is in demand. It would gladly be acquired by forensic scientists, intelligence officers and even internal security agencies, if they were allocated funds such as specialized equipment. The lens has a unique, spherical shape, so the maximum viewing angle is about 180 degrees. The increased shutter processing speed and increased sensitivity are also recognized as undoubted advantages.

• Leica, which released the most expensive camera in the world, is also in the top five in 2020: the Leica S2-P is estimated at $ 25,000. This is the platinum version, which has a sapphire crystal lens. For her, Kodak has developed a unique sensor, and specifically for this camera there are two lenses that can bring the performance of a small model closer to the most expensive studio cameras.

The market value of the leaders in the ranking of the most expensive models for professional photographers and hobbyists with high incomes and requirements can vary. It all depends on the retail network, the cost of customs clearance, the place where the goods are purchased, and the sale of photographic equipment in this sense is no exception.

Surprisingly, optics, resolution and viewing angle are valued much higher than expensive finishes and creative design. Even the world's richest people are interested in the camera as a luxury item only from the point of view of fitness. Although jewelry can still be found not only in catalogs of gifts from jewelry factories and companies, but also in the products of world brands. If you need to make a valuable gift, you just have to buy a rarity for hundreds of thousands or Hasselblad H4D 200MS for 48.300 American money or 2.3 million Russian rubles.

• The most expensive creative camera for millionaires is Canon Diamond IXUS... Experts estimate its cost at about $ 200. But there are 380 diamonds on its case, so the soap dish costs 40 thousand euros.

• Leica M9 Neiman Marcus Edition in second place in the TOP-list: it is sold only in the USA and costs 17, 5 thousand. e. This is a unique copy, replicated in only 50 copies. Its value lies in the finishing of the case with ostrich leather and sapphire glass, but it will not be useful for a professional.

• For 11.5 thousand euros sold Pentax LX Gold... The pictures are quite high quality, but the cost is dictated by the crocodile leather trim and gold case. For a gold piece, this is not a very high price.

• Sigma SD1 Wood Edition trimmed with rare wood of a very rare tree growing on Lake Ambon, Indonesia. Despite the fact that the camera was released in an amount of only 10 copies, its price is quite low - some 10 thousand euros.