It's vintage cameras galore at Wuxi Canal Art Center

Fitting discreetly inside a cigarette packet and looking like something straight off the set of a James Bond movie, the Tessina 35 was the spy camera of choice in the 60's and 70's.

The Swiss-made camera was in production for a staggering 38 years from 1957 and 1996 and is just one of the quirky vintage cameras on display at the Wuxi Canal Art Center until August 10.

The "Time??Record" Antique Camera Exhibition, which got underway on July 30, displays 71 antique cameras.

The free exhibition is divided into five themed areas called "Time Rewinding", "007 Classics", "Roman Holiday", "Darkroom Experience" and "Interaction of Light and Shadow".

Standing guard at the entrance of the exhibition is a model of London's famous Big Ben clock tower. The clock's hands moving anti clockwise to represent being transported bygone era.

Displayed at the "007 Classics" area are cameras designed for spies, including an iconic cigarette lighter that doubles up as a camera.

Another highlight of the exhibition is the original vesper Audrey Hepburn used to ride in the Roman Holiday movie. The motorbike belongs to Vesper Company and is being displayed in a tour of China.

The cameras on display are owned by serial collector Jian Guoxin. As a successful overseas businessman, Jian uses the opportunity while abroad to search for precious antique cameras.

"I developed interest in photography in my early twenties," said Jian, who also displayed a range of unique gramophones at the exhibition's opening. "It's natural for shutterbugs to collect more equipment."

The must-see vintage collection is being housed at the Wuxi Canal Art Center, built on the remains of Wuxi Kaiyuan Machinery Factory in 2014 and managed by Vanke Real Estate Group. The factory was established by the notably-entrepreneurial Rong family in 1948.

"It's Binhu district's special trend of development–to develop new landmarks at old architectural remains," said Yan Heping, vice director of Helie community.

Jian Guoxin introduces his collections to visitors at the exhibition. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Cameras in the shape of cigarette lighters. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The original vesper Audrey Hepburn used to ride in the Roman Holiday movie. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]