» Film and cinema technology

The collection documents all technical categories that are relevant for the production and screening of films with a wide variety of devices. Among these are cameras plus accessories, dollies and camera cranes, lighting equipment, recording devices, film trick equipment, developing and printing equipment, editing tables as well as projecting equipment for still and moving images. Both amateur and professional equipment has been collected. Selected examples illustrate the pre-cinema period and the transition period to video technology.

The collection′s main focus lies on devices that have been produced or demonstrably used in the geographic area surrounding the German production centres Dresden, Berlin and Leipzig. Further emphasis is placed on the Babelsberg studios during the Ufa and DEFA periods, on home and family cinema as well as on private GDR film producers.

The museum has its own restoration workshop looking after the collections and the Welte Cinema Organ that has been installed in the museum′s cinema.
More information: History of the film technology collection

The illustrated publication Unsichtbare Schätze der Kinotechnik: 100 Years of Cinematographic Equipment contains information on the collection′s most important exhibits and integrates them into a history of film technology.

A representative part of the technology collection is stored in an accessible depot and can be viewed on appointment.
Phone (0049/331) 56704-16
Address: Pappelallee 20, 14469 Potsdam
Admission: 2.50 Euros