IMAGO Camera, World’s Only Walk-In Large-Format Camera, Hits the Market

The IMAGO Camera, known as the world’s only walk-in, 1:1 large-format camera, is officially for sale. 

This extraordinary photographic instrument, measuring 4 by 7 meters, was developed in the 1970s by physicist Werner Kraus and goldsmith Erhard Hößle. 

Following the recent passing of Susanna Kraus, who oversaw the camera’s restoration and use for decades, the camera will leave the family for the first time. The sale, conducted through a bidding process managed by Frank Darius on behalf of Susanna’s sons, is now open to interested parties.

How the IMAGO Camera Works

The IMAGO Camera is unique because subjects actually step inside it for their portraits. Once inside, powerful strobes illuminate the scene, and a system of mirrors allows the person to see their reflection framed exactly as it will appear in the final exposure. 

The camera captures a direct positive image on specially manufactured 62×200 cm photographic paper, producing a one-of-a-kind “IMAGO-gram.” Unlike conventional cameras, it does not produce a negative, so every photograph is a singular original.

The camera was originally retired due to the unavailability of the required photographic paper, but in 2004 Susanna Kraus persuaded Ilford Switzerland to resume production of the custom direct-positive paper. 

The restored camera eventually became a permanent installation at Aufbau Haus in Berlin, where it operated as a creative studio and cultural project.

Why the Sale Is Significant

This sale represents more than a rare camera changing hands; it is the transfer of a piece of photographic history. The IMAGO Camera stands at the intersection of science, art, and technical innovation, offering a scale and analog experience that no modern camera can replicate. 

Its design and operation reflect a unique era of photography where human presence, direct exposure, and analog craftsmanship combined to produce highly personal images.

Under Susanna Kraus, the IMAGO Camera was used to create life-sized portraits that emphasized both technical precision and artistic expression. The current sale provides an opportunity for collectors, institutions, or creative professionals to preserve the camera’s legacy and potentially continue producing images with it.

For photographers and enthusiasts, the IMAGO Camera illustrates the possibilities of large-format analog photography on an unprecedented scale. It remains not only a tool for capturing images but a historical artifact that demonstrates the ingenuity and ambition of photographic pioneers. 

The bidding process is now open, marking a rare occasion for the camera to enter a new chapter in its remarkable history.

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