Fancy getting your hands on a real KGB secret spy camera? It goes to auction this month for less than you might think

A real KGB spy camera from the 1960s
(Image credit: Leitz Photographica Auction)

You could soon get your hands on an incredible piece of history, as a KGB spy camera disguised as a Zenit camera case is about to go up at this month’s Leitz Photographica auction in Austria.

The Russian F-21 Ajax-12 spy camera is hidden inside the Zenit ever-ready case, and has a sophisticated built-in mechanism that enables the user to take pictures through a masked window in the buckle of the strap fitting. The shutter release is hidden in the base of the case, and “is in good working condition” according to Leitz Photographica.

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Leonie Helm
Staff Writer

After graduating from Cardiff University with an Master's Degree in Journalism, Media and Communications Leonie developed a love of photography after taking a year out to travel around the world. 

While visiting countries such as Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh and Ukraine with her trusty Nikon, Leonie learned how to capture the beauty of these inspiring places, and her photography has accompanied her various freelance travel features. 

As well as travel photography Leonie also has a passion for wildlife photography both in the UK and abroad.