For decades, Germany dominated photography across Europe and possibly the world, producing cameras, lenses, film and other items for photographers. Things changed after Japanese cameras began to appear on the market, often providing innovative features and at a lower price.
While there is no denying Germany’s position in photography, it’s important to also recognize cameras produced by other countries, including the Soviet Union, Italy, France, Hungary and others.
The United Kingdom’s contribution to photography is immense and continues to this day.
This is not a list of all models produced by each camera maker – just those that have reviews or photos available.
This list is dominated by Zeiss Ikon, because the author has the largest number of cameras made by this company.
- Isolette III
- Super Isolette
- Karat (early)
- Karat (intermediate)
- Optima-Paramat
- Optima-Parat
- Optima-Reflex
- Solinette II
- Super Solinette
Franke & Heidecke (Rollei)
- Rolleiflex 4×4 (127)
- Rolleiflex
- Rolleiflex Automat
- Rolleiflex 3.5F
- Rollei Magic
- Rollei A110/E110
- Rollei 35 (T/S)
- Rollei XF35
- Rolleiflex SL 26
- Rolleiflex SL 35
- Rolleiflex SL 35 M
- Rolleiflex SL 35 E
- Rolleiflex SL 3001
- Rolleiflex SL 66
- Rolleimatic
Ihagee
- Exakta
- Exakta 66
- Exa
Leica
- IIIf
- M6
- Praktica FX series
- Contax/Pentacon SLR
- Bessa
- Bessa II
- Vito B
- Vito II
- Vitomatic
- Vitessa (folding)
- Vitessa (rigid)
Zeiss Ikon
- Contaflex (126)
- Contaflex (35mm)
- Contessa folding (35mm)
- Contessa rigid (35mm)
- Contina (Ikonta)
- Contina II
- Contarex
- Contarex Hologon
- Contax I
- Contax II/III
- Contax IIa/IIIa
- Baby Ikonta
- Ikonette (127)
- Ikonette (35mm)
- Ikoflex
- Ikonta (120)
- Ikonta (35mm)
- Kolibri
- Nettax
- Super Ikonta 530/2
- Super Ikonta 531
- Super Ikonta 532/16
- Super Nettel
- Tenax (East and West German)
- Tenax II
- Tengoflex
- Zeiss Ikon S 310
- Zeiss Ikon S 312
- Zeiss Ikon SL 706
- Stereo viewer (two types)
Other German
- Balda CE35
- Super Baldina
- Werra
Other European
- Alpa 9d (Switzerland)
- Etareta (Czechoslovakia)
- Ducati Sogno (Italy)
- Foca II – two star (France)
- Focaflex (France)
- Foca Sport (France)
- Mometta II (Hungary)
- Tessina (Switzerland)