Hammacher Schlemmer’s cold war camera and four other ‘unconventional’ cameras
Sony Alpha A550, Nikon D700, Canon A1000, Pentax P80, Hammacher Schlemmer Cold War Camera…..what? At least its name makes you stop and read on, as Hammacher Schlemmer’s latest camera breaks the ‘conventionalities’ associated with the string of cameras currently hitting the high streets every month.
(Image courtesy of: Flickr user John Kratz)
As the name is so intriguing, I felt impelled to find out more information about the Cold War Camera. Being the same size as a packet of chewing gum and weighing just over 2 oz, the Cold War Camera can be discreetly placed in the most indiscreet of places without being noticed, which is, I presume, the reason why Hammacher Schlemmer gave this miniscule machine such an eccentric name. My presumptions are proved correct, as the creators of the Cold War camera inform their readers that it only actually ‘evokes’ the crafty techniques practiced by Cold War operatives, a bit of a disappointment really given its ingenious title. Although regardless of my disappointment concerning the camera’s arguably ‘insipid’ capabilities in comparison with its indisputably exciting name, although it only has 5MP of shooting power, it can capture images of up to 2560 x 1920 pixels and videos of 320 x 430 pixels, has a 4x digital zoom and a built-in 128 MB memory, making the Cold War Camera actually rather nifty. Unfortunately the price is rather nifty too. Retailing at $189.95 (approximately 125.00 GBP), I expect even the spies of the Cold War would have relinquished this particular piece of espionage technology.
In finding such an ‘unconventional’ camera, which in reality is only actually unconventional in its name and size, it inspired me to find other ‘less regular’ cameras.
The DORYU 2-16 Pistol Camera, which combines the resources of a camera, video and a gun, is an extremely rare and valuable camera and is at present only used by Japanese police. Although in a country where paintball guns are used to stop criminals, it is hardly surprising the DORYU 2-16 pistol camera hasn’t rocked the police forces of other countries.
Hammacher Schlemmer is certainly dedicated to creating cameras of distinction, and no more so than The Only Digital Camera Swim Mask. As the name suggests, this swim mask, which has a 5MP waterproof digital camera integrated, really is ‘one of its kind’, allowing swimmers to swim to a depth of 15’ with their hands free!
When talking about counter-intuitive cameras and the Snowcorn Camera has to get a mention. Designed by Mac Funamizu, this multi-functional device comes disguised as an innocent bracelet, which in reality is a camera, translator, business card scanner and Wi-Fi connector – quite a piece of jewelry!
Transformers were much loved toys of the 80s and 90s and were the source of hours of fun for kids as they experimented with the art of ‘transforming’. The Voltron Camera took the concept of transformers to new heights, by tweaking the 90s action hero the Voltron Star Shooter a little, by placing a 110 film camera onto his chest.
