Lahore’s camera market offering a snapshot of the past

LAHORE: The camera, invented in the 19th century, has evolved from a manual to an automatic device. While modern smartphones come with cameras offering unmatched convenience and portability, the unique joy of using a traditional, full-sized camera remains a tactile, unparalleled experience — and what better place for a reel aficionado than the ancient streets of Lahore.

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At the crossroads of modern and ancient, this camera market in Lahore offers a trip into this experience. Here, not only the most modern cameras can be bought, but also rare and vintage cameras are available for enthusiasts.

Lahore holds a unique position in the subcontinent in terms of the film industry and photography.

This is why even today, there is a market dedicated to cameras. On Nisbat Road, right in front of Lahore’s famous old Gawalmandi Food Street, this small market is called the Camera Market. Whether you want to buy a new camera, are looking for a rare vintage camera, or your camera needs repair, you will find something from Lahore’s camera market.

In 1816, the first camera gave mankind the ability to see the world with a third eye. In 1855, during the British era, the camera reached the Indian subcontinent and here too time began to be captured in pictures. Gradually, a new industry began to develop in the field of camera manufacturing.

Old, heavy, large manual cameras in which pictures were once taken by inserting a roll of “negative”, or today’s automatic, modern camera with a memory card, everything is available in this market.

There are also some shops in this market, where there is a treasure trove for vintage camera enthusiasts. Some shops still sell cameras today, from classic film cameras to rare and rare models of famous brands. Ask the shopkeeper for information about a camera, he will guide you like an encyclopedia.

One of the shopkeepers, Muhammad Mushtaq Bhatti, told HUM News that most of his customers buy manual cameras, like vintage cameras. “Sometimes foreigners also come to buy cameras and they also prefer the old models,” he said.

Camera Market Lahore President Haji Rahat Ali said, “Photography is getting affected day by day. Mobile phones have affected the business of many things, and small-level traders are facing tribulations because of it.”

A stroll through the market shows that in addition with purchasing, repairing and servicing cameras, these shops also produce beautiful albums and small and large frames for photos. Some also offer printing facilities.

Citizens turn to this famous market to buy cameras and photography accessories. Some say that the photo quality results of these older cameras are better than modern cameras.

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Like the decades-old camera market, the cameras here themselves have seen the past eras of Lahore. Their captured scenes offer a tour of old Lahore preserved in photographs. Some of these images might not be retrievable today, but the history remains preserved in their films forever.

All photos provided by author