Cameras on display in a historic mansion

KARABÜK - Anatolia News Agency

Ahmet Işık restored the 150 year-old Değirmenci mansion as a small museum and displays his camera collection there. His oldest camera dates back to 1889. AA photo

Ahmet Işık, a tourism professional in the town of Safranbolu, Karabük province, has been collecting cameras for 40 years and has now established a photography museum in the Değirmenci Konak, a restored 150-year-old mansion.

The collection includes many cameras representing different models and brands, dating from 1889 to the present day. There are examples from Flexaret, Yashıca, Adox Golf, Agfa, Beiretta, Kodak, Fujika, Polaroid, Zenit, Klito, Unicom, Nikon, Lordomat, Canon, Ensing, Krugener Delta, Hasselblad, Haway, Nexarel, Mamiya, Leica, Pentacon, Start, Olympus, Goerz Taro-Tenax, Vogetlender and Werra in Işık’s collection.

Işık told the Anatolia news agency that his interest in cameras began during his primary school years, with a camera his father gave him. He said another factor behind his interest in cameras is the historical town of Safranbolu itself, which boasts magnificent views to photograph. “I have been interested in cameras for 40 years. People send me cameras from all around the country. The oldest camera I have is a Kodak, from 1889. I enjoy adding to the collection, but it’s an expensive hobby.”

Işık restored the Değirmenci mansion as a small museum and boutique hotel, and hosts tourists there from around the world. “Our goal is to make Safranbolu an important tourism destination, known all over the world. I will continue collecting cameras as long as I live. I love taking photos, especially with manual cameras,” he said.