Uncommon, Rare, and Collector's Delights.

[dexdog]

Not so much a camera but photography related collectors item.....

A "Darkroom-in-a-box" , US Army Signal Corps Photographic Set PH-261
Took me nearly 2 years to get it rebuilt from an empty case. Had to source everything separately or rebuild it from scratch, like the electrical control unit.
It's only missing a few small pieces now. .

Ready for action.

I bet that only a few museums have such an impressive display of this historic photographic equipment.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

It's true, I'm running out of space.

If you think the enlarger is cool here's another side-project I'm slowly rebuilding.....

World War 2 US Army Air Force Aerial Camera Maintenance Tool Kit

Still hunting for the specific technical manual to see all the tools that go inside it.

 

[dexdog]

I think the second photo in the above post is fascinating because it shows a soldier working on camera gear on a grungy old workbench. I am sure that this was the norm in field operations, though. In contrast, before I sit down to take apart a lens I generally vacuum the area first, then wipe everything down to remove as much dust as possible.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The requirement of a hacksaw and vice are also questionable. 😆

 

[boojum]

Not so much a camera but photography related collectors item.....

A "Darkroom-in-a-box" , US Army Signal Corps Photographic Set PH-261
Took me nearly 2 years to get it rebuilt from an empty case. Had to source everything separately or rebuild it from scratch, like the electrical control unit.
It's only missing a few small pieces now. .

Ready for action.

Brilliant!

 

[former member]

I can change my article to 92 years of Sonnar.

I am very happy to add this new one to the collection, and have an RFF member to thank for it.

According to Thiele, several batches of 5cm F2 Sonnars were placed in April 1932, with about 1200 being completed in 1932. The lens on the left is in the third batch of 100, completed in September 1932. This version has a chrome aperture ring, like my first-batch 5cm F1.5. It uses a 37mm push-on filter. Interesting- the aperture mechanism has a large enough diameter to be used in the F1.5 lens. This lens opens up to F2, but this is a mechanical stop. The aperture itself is still closed down, visible after taking the front group out. The front element has a lot of wear, more than just scratches. This happens to many of the Sonnar F2 lenses.

Three Rigid Sonnar 5cm F2 lenses.

 

[boojum]

There's a lot of stuff out there besides Instamatics. The JLC Compass camera was amazing, the Alpa 35's get me breathing heavy as do the Contax II/IIa's. There were so many fine cameras built and used. Fibble and SB have amassed considerable gear, gear that is wonderful, rare and interesting. There must be others on this board. This is photo grad school with an attached museum. And tuition-free! Talk about lucky us.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Same all-over-the-place construction goes for the KW Pilot-Supers

I have KW Reflex-box as well, somewhere...
At least the Pilot-Reflex TLR doesn't give you the mirror slap. 🙂

 

[Kai-san]

They used the parts they had at hand, my Pilot Super has a Pilot 6 badge.

 

[Räuber]

The purchases of the last month. Nothing special it seems. A lot of Sonnar 5cm f2 lenses. But if you look up those lenses here you might see a little bit of rareness here. Those 2 collapsible Sonnars might look like the ordinary collapsible f2 Sonnar (v3b ZJ CR cc) that was build about 55.000 times. But it is a rarer transition variation (v3b ZJ CR ac) that probably was only build 1200 times until CZJ introduced the T-coating (v3b ZJ CR acT, the right one).

And the f1.5 Sonnar in the last row was a pretty amazing catch too. I have only found 3 of this one (v4b ZE CR arbb) and calculated about 170 (?) produced copies.

When I'm done measuring and photographing those beauties they can be found in my Sonnar guide online.

 

[TenEleven]

Not something I have personally bought. The price the seller is asking is exorbitant, as expected. But none the less I think it qualifies.
An original wooden gift box set of all CZ Jena LTM screw mount lenses, complete with viewfinder and CZJ inscribed key(!).

The rear caps are likely not authentic, with the exception of the 50/1.5 Sonnar and Biogon whose rear cap looks authentic being made out of now tarnished brass. The front cap of the 8,5cm Sonnar is correct (It's CZJ) but is in my opinion not period-correct. It should be an aluminum press-on cap.
The serial number of the Biogon is not visible but it's one of the 2.71million series.

 

[Miles.]

A 1 of 5 Konica FR prototype camera is live on Yahoo Japan right now... maybe the only one in private hands?

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/p1158342409?conversionType=YahooAuction_DirectSearch

 

[Miles.]

A 1 of 5 Konica FR prototype camera is live on Yahoo Japan right now... maybe the only one in private hands?

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/p1158342409?conversionType=YahooAuction_DirectSearch

View attachment 4847701

Sold for $7,000 USD!

 

[former member]

Not as rare as the above, but uncommon- especially outside of Japan.

Beautiful and sharp, Fujinon 5cm F2, and Ultron formula 6/5 design.

 

[dexdog]

I have one of those, a great lens (for a 50).

 

[Darinwc]

I've been looking for one of those. I'll keep looking..

 

[hilltime]

Bought this lens to accompany my other 5cm lenses for Leotax, and to satisfy my GAS for the Fujinon 5cm/ F1.2, which $wise has gotten to crazy price levels!

 

[Miles.]

For posterity, here's my serial # data for the Fujinon 5cm f2 LTM:

Earliest Known: 400013
Latest Known: 405104

 

[Mark240590]

Less about the lens and more the body being a rarity. Chased one of these for a good while now. A no name Contax (Kiev 4)

 

[underlord]

MamiyaSuper16-1 by Philip McAllister, on Flickr

Not my camera but loaned to me to 'have a look at' by a friend, so I did.