Photo Optics Cavour Srl - Leica Boutique Milan – Milan, Italy - Atlas Obscura

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Photo Optics Cavour Srl - Leica Boutique Milan

This camera store in Milan holds one of Europe’s largest collections of luxury-antique cameras.  

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For anyone who’s interested in the history of photography, this place needs no introduction when it comes to Leica cameras. Founded in 1914 in Wetzlar Germany, the famous German camera company is well-known for making high-quality and expensive 35mm cameras.

In 1913, Oskar Barnack made the world’s first commercially successful 35mm still-camera, known as the Ur-Leica. Since, Leica has manufactured what some call “luxury cameras.” Some Leica cameras can reach a $10,000 price tag and some are considered art pieces because of their high-quality glass and design. 

A small camera store in Milan holds possibly the largest collection of these historically significant cameras in Europe. The store obtains the cameras from private collectors and auctions.

The collection contains around 450 Leica cameras from different periods. It also features other unique cameras as well, including famous photographer Gianni Berengo Gardini’s own personal Leica M-6. Photographers from around the world come here to buy and view the impressive and mind-blowingly expensive Leica collection. 

Know Before You Go

The store’s hours are clearly listed online and is a 10-minute walk from the Pinacoteca di Brera. To view the Leica collection simply ask the very friendly staff and they will show you the way to the back where the collection is located.


If you are in need of any camera equipment (film or digital) they can assist you with that as well. The store also does camera repairs and develops and sells film.

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September 27, 2021

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