Dr. Arcot Vasantha Rao Arun, a dentist from Chennai, India, now holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of still cameras. His collection totals an astounding 5,707 cameras, surpassing all others worldwide. Even James Artaius, Editor in Chief of Digital Camera World and a passionate camera collector, admits he cannot match Dr. Arun’s achievement.
Dr. Arun’s passion for cameras began in the late 1990s when he purchased a twin-lens reflex camera at a flea market. Over the years, his hobby grew into an obsession. By 2017, he had collected nearly 2,000 cameras and opened Dr. Arun’s Camera Museum in Chennai to showcase his vast collection.
His collection quickly expanded, first breaking the record for the largest collection of unique vintage film cameras. The previous record stood at 895, but Dr. Arun surpassed it with 1,645 unique models. Soon after, he also broke the overall record for the total number of cameras, which was 4,425 before him.
A Guinness World Records video highlights the scale and diversity of Dr. Arun’s collection. It features cameras dating back to 1895, including large-format antique models, glass cabinets filled with twin-lens reflex cameras, rows of film and digital SLRs, and hundreds—if not thousands—of compact cameras.
Dr. Arun’s dedication has preserved an incredible slice of photographic history. His museum in Chennai has become a must-see destination for camera enthusiasts and historians alike.
Related Topics:
