werra V

lxmike

lxmike

M2 fan.
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For a number of years, or rather decade I have admired the Werra range of cameras, well today I finally bagged one, a Werra V with 50mm 2.8 Tessar, on arrival I will post some pics, anyway i was wondering if any fellow members had or used a Werra, I have neard that the Werra lenses are quite good, and the cameras quirky to say the least
 
I've owned a I, a III, and a Werramatic. They're fascinating cameras with some neat features - the Prestor shutters, for instance, with their separate capping blades, and the great wind-on mechanism - but they do have their little foibles. The bodies could almost have been designed for left-handers, as there's very little room on the right of the lens to grip the body; and the capping mechanism can stick from lack of use, leaving you with blank frames even though the shutter sounds like it's firing properly.
 
Sounds like an interesting camera to own, lets hope mine is in working order when it arrives, how did you find the sharpness of the lens
 
If it isn't in working order, a forum search for Werra will find you details of a repairer in the UK (if it doesn't, PM me).

I've a green flat-top Werra 1 and a later Werra 3, both of which will take pictures far better than I can make them - sadly, not difficult! In common with most 2.8 Tessars, best when stopped down a couple of stops, but once you do that they are lovely and sharp, with good colour rendition.

First thing to test when it arrives is that both shutters are OK. Take the back off, and wind on whilst looking at the back - you should see the capping shutter blades reset. Peer through it and press the shutter release, check whether the shutters both open. If they do, put your eye to the back and wind on again - if you don't see light, but when you take your eye away the capping shutter blades have reset, then all well and good. All you need to do then is check whether the shutter speeds look vaguely OK, and if so you are away. If they are slow, in my limited experience you probably ought to get it looked at - I suspect that a dragging shutter stretches the springs...

Hope you don't need to worry about any of that and it's all OK!

Adrian
 
Thanks for the reply Roger, I'm really looking forward to recieving the Werra and shooting a few rolls through it
 
Roger Hicks said:
Lovely cameras. I've had a couple. The only reason I don't use 'em is that I don't need ANOTHER system!
Click to expand...

Indeed you have, Roger! I nearly picked the 3 up to give Mike his tutorial, but picked the 1 up instead. Still gets the occasional roll through it, but you right about the EV system, it's a PITA.

Adrian
 
I owned a III for a short while but gave up on it because the lenses were scarce in the UK at that time (early 'eighties).

I have to disagree with Muggins about EV, though. I'm a great fan, maybe I'm just weird!

:D
 
I could handle the EV system, if you didn't keep having to disengage the lock between shutter and aperture... My goat is regularly got by that!

I won't say anything about your second remark.:D

Adrian
 
I posted this past weekend about my Werra III in the Under-rated Cameras thread. Unique in its winding collar, which does logically allow one hand (left, in my case) to wind, set speed/aperture, focus and maintain balance for the shot. Lovely to have a built-in diopter, since I prefer to shoot without my glasses and wear no contacts. My first Werra(matic) was stiff, and unlocking the aperture/speed required attention--not the case with my current III. I can even follow the progress of the odd shot counter on this one.

Not an everyday camera for me, but one of the main reasons I like having a variety of cameras that operate differently is that each, in requiring a degree or kind of discipline unique to itself, seems to focus my set-up/shooting attention more keenly too. At least after I commit a few of the laughable errors, such as forgetting to remove the RF lens cap after shooting SLR or digital for a few days....

I don't have any Werra images on this computer, but search Flickr & Tumblr if you haven't yet done so. Very robust Werra groups on Flickr.
 
thanks again chaps for all the responses, hopefully the Werra will be with me in the next few days, will post some pics and initial thoughts later this week
 
As another poster, I also have the original "green" Werra -for no other reason than it is the most beautiful camera ever made!
 

Werramatic by pentaxpete, on Flickr

Here is my free gift 1966 WERRAMATIC with removeable front lens -- the Tessar is sharp and it synchs at all shutter speeds -- I got it from a Gent who saw me using my 1962 Rolleicord VB and asked if I would like some 'Old camera Gear Free' -- well I took my boy to his house and came away with a huge box of bits, including a 1950's BRAUN HOBBY Automatic electronic flash which works off the mains and this Werramatic at the bottom. If you click on the word 'Werramatic' it takes you to my Flickr page where you can read all the story behind it !
 
Thats a nice werramatic, thanks for sharing a picture of it, well at the moment i am at work for another 9 hours and have just found out that at home is a parcel containing the Werra V, today is now going to drag
 
I was THAT close to buying one of those cams several times.
Find them fascinating!
 
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