Farid's Camera Museum
| Place | Pune |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1968 |
| Museum Type | Specialized / Photography & Technology |
| National Importance Museum | No |
| Address | 15/1B, Inaam Nagar, Kondhwa Budruk, Pune, Maharashtra 411048 |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM (Daily). Note: Visit is strictly by prior appointment only. |
| Entry Fee | Free Entry |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1968, Farid's Camera Museum & Academy (also known as Farid Manzil) is a unique private institution in the Kondhwa Budruk area of Pune. It represents the lifelong passion of Haji Farid Shaikh, who has curated one of the largest and most diverse collections of cameras and photographic equipment in Asia, spanning over 200 years of optical history.
General Collections
The museum houses an astounding collection of over 3,000 cameras and approximately 35,000 photographic accessories. The exhibits range from mid-19th-century wooden box cameras to modern digital systems. It also features a vast library of photographic journals, rare negative plates, and specialized darkroom equipment used in the pre-digital era.
Unique Historical Collections
Novelty Series: Rare 200-year-old cameras constructed from wood and cardboard. Military "Gun" Cameras: Specialized aerial cameras from 1920 used for reconnaissance. Spy Cameras: A significant collection of miniature "detective" cameras dating back to 1938. Cinematic Legacy: A camera previously owned and used by the "Father of Indian Cinema," Dadasaheb Phalke.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is located within Mr. Farid's private residence. Visitors are often personally guided by the founder himself, who provides technical insights into the mechanical evolution of each piece. The collection includes a massive 35mm cinematography projector at the entrance. |
| Artifacts | Leica, Rolleiflex, and Hasselblad vintage models; 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm movie projectors; Daguerreotype plates; Early Kodak Brownies; Glass plate negatives; Rare camera lenses and light meters; Studio-sized bellows cameras. |
| Highly Descriptive | No |
| Contact Details |
+91 20 2693 4396 +91 93712 68290 |
| Email ID |
faridscameramuseum@gmail.com amirstudio.pune@gmail.com |