Vintage Camera Collection App
Vitrine is a vintage camera collection app for collectors of film cameras, lenses, and photographic equipment. Record serial numbers, shutter counts, service history, and estimated value. Build a public showcase or keep it private. Free to start.
Why camera collectors choose Vitrine
Serial numbers and service history get lost
A camera's serial number tells you its production date and provenance. Vitrine gives you a permanent home for serial numbers, CLA history, and known faults — information that would otherwise live on Post-it notes.
Lenses, bodies, and accessories need to stay linked
A Leica M body is only half the story without its lenses. Vitrine lets you note which lenses pair with which bodies, and keep your whole kit catalogued in one place.
Insurance needs documentation
High-value cameras are expensive to replace. Vitrine stores photos, purchase receipts, and valuations so you have a proper record if something goes missing.
Features for camera collectors
Serial number and provenance records
Record serial number, production year range, and any known history. Useful for dating equipment and proving provenance.
Condition and service history
Log CLA dates, shutter curtain condition, light seal status, and any known faults. Know exactly what needs attention.
Value tracking
Record purchase price and current estimated value. Track how your collection value changes over time.
Photo storage
Attach photos of each camera from multiple angles. Useful for insurance and documenting condition.
Public collection page
Share your collection with other photographers and collectors. Choose which items are visible.
Bulk CSV import
Import an existing spreadsheet on Professional plans. Vitrine maps your columns and flags anything that needs review.
How to catalog your cameras with Vitrine
- 1
Create a free account
Sign up at vitrinecms.com. No credit card required. Start with up to 100 items on the free plan.
- 2
Add your cameras and lenses
Enter each item with make, model, serial number, condition, and estimated value. Add service notes and known faults in the notes field.
- 3
Attach photos and documents
Photograph each item and attach the images. Add purchase receipts or valuations as document attachments on Professional plans.
- 4
Share your collection page
Make selected items public and share the link with other collectors. Your page updates automatically as you add new pieces.
Vitrine vs other cameras tools
| Tool | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Vitrine | Web-based, free to start, full cataloguing with public collection page |
| Camera-wiki.org | A reference wiki, not a personal collection manager. No ability to track what you personally own, condition, or value. |
| Flickr camera finder | Shows which cameras other photographers use — not a cataloguing or collection management tool. |
| Google Sheets | Manual, no photo storage, and becomes unwieldy as a collection grows. No public sharing page. |
Pricing for camera collectors
Community — Free. Up to 100 items, public collection page, core cataloguing.
Hobbyist — £5/month. Up to 1,000 items, collection analytics, CSV import, wanted list, and 100 MB document storage.
Professional — £79/month. Up to 5,000 items, full dashboard, visitor analytics, event ticketing, compliance tools, staff accounts, and 1 GB document storage.
Frequently asked questions
Can I catalog lenses and accessories alongside camera bodies?
Yes. Vitrine works for any type of photographic equipment — bodies, lenses, filters, flash units, and accessories. Use the category field to keep them organised.
How do I record service history for a camera?
Use the notes field to record CLA dates, what was serviced, and by whom. You can also attach scanned service receipts as document files on Professional plans.
How do I date a camera from its serial number?
Vitrine does not automatically look up serial number databases, but you can record the serial number and the production date range you researched, keeping it permanently attached to that item.
Can I track cameras I have sold or traded away?
Yes. Use the status field to mark items as deaccessioned or sold, and record the sale price in the notes. They stay in your collection history without appearing in your active inventory.
Is Vitrine useful if I shoot with my cameras as well as collect them?
Yes. Many collectors are also active shooters. You can record which film stocks you have run through a camera, shutter count estimates, and any issues that came up — useful for a working collection.
Start cataloguing your cameras
Free to start. No credit card required. Your collection stays private until you choose to share it.
Create your free account →