This is my oldest camera to date. Dating any old camera is problematical. There is a body serial number – C35133 – in the standard Ica (and then Zeiss Ikon) sequence. The trouble is that all Ica and Zeiss Ikon records were lost in the bombing of Dresden in WWII. A lot of work hasContinue reading “Butcher’s Watch Pocket Carbine”
Category Archives: Folding camera
Foth Folder
My criterion for buying my old cameras is that they must interest me. I prefer them to be in working condition but it is not essential. In good cosmetic condition is nice but so is ‘well loved’. In this case, ‘Interesting’ is the maker – Foth. Previously, I knew of Foth from the Foth DerbyContinue reading “Foth Folder”
Demaria-Lapierre Dehel folding camera.
This camera looks very like a 1930s Zeiss Ikon Nettar or Ikonta camera. Looking at the <a href=”http://www.collection-appareils.fr/carrousel/html/index.php#”>collection-appareils</a> site, there is a chronology of Dehel cameras. Looking at the specific features of my camera – f/3.5 Manar lens, Gauthier shutter, knob film advance, the English writing on the shutter fascia, design of the viewfinder – it wouldContinue reading “Demaria-Lapierre Dehel folding camera.”
Cocarette 220 or 514/15
I have titled this article ‘Cocarette 514/15’ but I am far from sure as to the camera’s identity. It is certainly a Zeiss Ikon camera as the Zeiss Ikon logo appears twice on the camera. It looks like a Contessa Nettel Cocarette – complete with the film cassette loading system – but there is noContinue reading “Cocarette 220 or 514/15”
Crystar 15
<p class="has-drop-cap" value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">This is a Japanese folding camera made for export – the distance scale is in feet. There is no country of manufacture anywhere on the camera which is rather unusual for an exported camera. The maker is Crystar Optl Co as marked on the shutter housing. It is veryContinue reading “Crystar 15”
Contessa-Nettel Piccolette
This is a very small “folding” camera from the German firm of Contessa Nettel. Contessa Nettel was formed in 1919 by the amalgamation of Contessa and Nettel camera companies who were two of the many small camera manufacturers in Germany at this time. In 1926, Contessa Nettel merged with Ernemann, C.P. Goerz and Ica toContinue reading “Contessa-Nettel Piccolette”
Voigtländer Bessa 46
A folding medium format camera from Voigtlander from 1939
Ica Icarette 498/1
This is my third Icarette camera. My first is the Zeiss Ikon Icarette made in 1930 and my second was the Ica Icarette I (model 496) made, as far as I can tell, in 1918. This Icarette, also made by Ica and not Zeiss Ikon, would seem to be an Icarette II – model 498/1.Continue reading “Ica Icarette 498/1”
Welta Weltix
Welta were a relatively minor camera manufacturer – at least when compared to the likes of Zeiss Ikon and Voigtländer. Their cameras do not appear for sale so often and seem to attract generous prices at auction. lens: Steinheil Cassar focal length: 50 mm apertures: f/2.9 to f/16 focus range: 1 m to infinity lensContinue reading “Welta Weltix”
Houghton Ensignette
This is almost certainly my oldest camera. Until now, that has been my 1918 ICA Icarette. This Ensignette was patented in 1907 – patent number 28484. This information is embossed on the front of the camera. However, I am reliably informed that the camera started production in 1909, just before Christmas and continued in thisContinue reading “Houghton Ensignette”
John's Cameras. A collection of interesting and old cameras. 