Camera, Sunpet James Bond 007, Hong Kong, 1982
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1982
Sunpet 826 cartridge film camera branded with 'James Bond 007' insignia, made in Hong Kong and thought to be manufactured circa 1982. This camera was probably made and marketed to appeal to James Bond fans around the time of the release of the Bond films 'For Your Eyes Only', which was released in 1981, and 'Octopussy', which was released in 1983.
This is a very simple moulded plastic film camera with few moving parts and basic focus control, that took 126 cartridge film. Moulded, black plastic camera with circular lens located on the front, viewfinder and top mounted winding dial. A release button on the right side opens the back of the camera to allow a cartridge film to be inserted. A rectangular clear window on the camera back allows the user to see the details of the cartridge film once loaded. Silver shutter release is on side of lens.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 4
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This cheap and basic camera branded with the '007' insignia was a novelty marketed to fans of James Bond, made to take advantage of the popular interest in the James Bond books and movies around the world. The first James Bond book, 'Casino Royale', was published in 1983, and the first Bond film, 'Dr No' was released in 1962.
By the early 1980s over ten Bond films had been made. 'For Your Eyes Only', released in 1981, was the twelth Bond film and 'Octopussy', released in 1983, was the thirteenth. This camera was likely made to ride the success of these early 1980s blockbuster films and the association of Bond with gadgets, even thought this particular camera was very low-tech.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- moulded plastic
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 110 mm (Width), 60 mm (Depth), 60 mm (Height)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Sunpet
- Place recorded
- Hong Kong
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Text, front of camera, around lens face, silver: SUNPET 826 126 Cartridge film. Text, top of camera: 'JAMES BOND/007 (image of gun)' Back of camera, inside, black: 'HONG KONG'
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-827710
- Museum object name
- Camera - 'Sunpet 826 James Bond 007', Hong Kong, circa 1982
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- HT 6400
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.