1950s compact interchangeable lens cameras

[sevo]

I never heard of Pentax making anything like a scale focus or a RF camera. AFAIK they started with some SLR models in the 1950s and grew from there.

Asahi (Pentax) actually are one of the oldest companies in Japanese optics, a telescope (and gun/bomb sights) maker. After the war they supplied lenses to Konica and Minolta. The Pentax SLRs were the first cameras in their corporate history.

 

[Archlich]

The Futura S has a similar footprint as the Leica III, but comes with combined rangefinder/viewfinder (thus is taller) and is a tad heavier. The most common Ever is a fine, Ultron type f/2 standard lens. It's a beautiful kit.

I'd say the system compares favorably (in usability, at least) to the marginally better finished but vastly more quirky Voigtlander Prominent cameras.

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

What about a Corfield Periflex

Very good idea!

I never had one of the (scarce on the European Continent) cameras, but particularly their various accessory is very useful, IMHO.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I mentioned Pentax as they made P&S's with and without zoom lenses and so I thought they might have made one of those twin versions; no other reason.

Regards, David

PS Do the Carl Zeiss Werra models count? They had a 35, 50 and (?)100mm lens range.

 

[dmr]

David, that image does not show, at least for me.

 

[Steve M.]

The Pentax 110 SLR cameras have interchangeable lenses, and while cute as a button, they are still 110. So not so much on enlargements if that is a requirement. At some point you get into the constraints of physics, and small camera = small film = small photos.

If you don't mind smaller than 110, this one looks about as small as you can get, and it's priced right at $2.99. Comes w/ a long lens too (for stalking the neighbor's cat, or the neighbor).

http://factorydirectcraft.com/catal...32_2319-36547-miniature_camera_with_film.html

This camera looks really small, AND comes w/ a transistor radio

http://www.subclub.org/subjpegs/ramera.jpg

This 16mm shooter is way smaller than the Pentax cameras, and even has interchangeable lenses and motorized film advance (no radio though, which is just inexcusable)

http://www.subclub.org/shop/gami.htm

And finally, my favorite, the 16mm Narciss which was a SLR w/ interchangeable lenses and a shutter that ran to 1/500.

http://www.subclub.org/subjpegs/narciss.jpg