NeeZee
Well-known
I really like cameras from the 1940s/1950s with a Leica IIIf being my main shooter. Lately I'm considering an even more compact (smaller than the IIIf that is) interchangeable lens camera from that era. Why? Just for fun 
These would be my requirements:
- interchangeable lenses
- scale focus would be sufficient (I don't mind a rangefinder of course)
- a compact 35mm lens option (doesn't need to have an internal finder for this FL)
- good build quality
- did I mention it has to be small?
These are the cameras I already know about:
- Braun (Super) Paxette
- Diax
- Altix
- Akarette/Akarelle (maybe not so compact?)
I am aware that some models in these series are fixed-lens.
As you can see these are all German made, which isn't a must, but since I'm in Germany these are widely available here. The Paxette is the only one of them I've seen and handled in person. From my online researches the Diax Ia would be my favourite: Barnack-like styling and even a 35mm finder.
So my two questions are:
1. Does anyone own a Diax and can expand on their build quality and usability (please keep in mind that I'm using a IIIf on an almost daily basis, so I don't mind some quirks )?
2. Are there other options I'm missing?
Thanks,
Thomas
These would be my requirements:
- interchangeable lenses
- scale focus would be sufficient (I don't mind a rangefinder of course)
- a compact 35mm lens option (doesn't need to have an internal finder for this FL)
- good build quality
- did I mention it has to be small?
These are the cameras I already know about:
- Braun (Super) Paxette
- Diax
- Altix
- Akarette/Akarelle (maybe not so compact?)
I am aware that some models in these series are fixed-lens.
As you can see these are all German made, which isn't a must, but since I'm in Germany these are widely available here. The Paxette is the only one of them I've seen and handled in person. From my online researches the Diax Ia would be my favourite: Barnack-like styling and even a 35mm finder.
So my two questions are:
1. Does anyone own a Diax and can expand on their build quality and usability (please keep in mind that I'm using a IIIf on an almost daily basis, so I don't mind some quirks
)?2. Are there other options I'm missing?
Thanks,
Thomas
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
Kodak Retina ? Peter
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Most notably, the Robots. Other than the ones you listed, these are more than a match for the Leica regarding build quality.
NeeZee
Well-known
Good point. But as I really don't like to shoot in square format, it would have to be a Royal 36 and the going prices of that one are a bit to steep for me considering it's "just for fun".
I don't expect Leica build quality really...
ottluuk
the indecisive eternity
More like 1960s, but what about Werra III/IV/Werramatic?
tunalegs
Pretended Artist
If you can find the lenses for them (and you won't) the Finetta is probably about as small as you're going to get for a 35mm VF cam with interchangeable lenses.
There's also the Arette, but I was not impressed by the one I got to see in person.
There's also the Arette, but I was not impressed by the one I got to see in person.
Frontman
Well-known
For Japanese cameras, and interesting and not-to-expensive camera is the Olympus Ace. These were made in the 50's, and came with three lenses, a 35mm f/2.8, 45mm f/2.8, and a 80mm f/5.6.
The Olympus Ace is smaller than some other interchangeable lens cameras like the Leica M series, or the Canon 7, but is about the same size and the Nikon rangefinders. The Olympus is much simpler in execution though, and uses a simpler leaf shutter. The viewfinder on the Ace is quite good, it is large, and has frame lines for the three lenses.
A bigger and quite a bit more interesting camera is the Minolta Super A. With the 50mm f/2.8 lens is the most compact, but the camera also came with a 35mm f/3.5 lens, and two other 50mm lenses, an f/1.8, and an f/2. The Minolta Super A has enough levers, dials, and such to feel right at home next to a German camera.
The Olympus Ace is smaller than some other interchangeable lens cameras like the Leica M series, or the Canon 7, but is about the same size and the Nikon rangefinders. The Olympus is much simpler in execution though, and uses a simpler leaf shutter. The viewfinder on the Ace is quite good, it is large, and has frame lines for the three lenses.
A bigger and quite a bit more interesting camera is the Minolta Super A. With the 50mm f/2.8 lens is the most compact, but the camera also came with a 35mm f/3.5 lens, and two other 50mm lenses, an f/1.8, and an f/2. The Minolta Super A has enough levers, dials, and such to feel right at home next to a German camera.
DominikDUK
Well-known
The Voss diax isn't bad at all I would get the IIB though as it has a build in RF.
The Leidolf Wetzlar Lordomat SLE is another option the lenses were made by Schacht so not bad and it has an RF the drawback it isn't all that common
A little larger the Voigtländer Vitessa
The Leidolf Wetzlar Lordomat SLE is another option the lenses were made by Schacht so not bad and it has an RF the drawback it isn't all that common
A little larger the Voigtländer Vitessa
RichL
Well-known
2. Are there other options I'm missing?
Have you considered the Leica I(c)? The I(c) with 35 /3.5 Elmar easily slips into the front pocket of my Levi's.
Have you considered the Leica I(c)? The I(c) with 35 /3.5 Elmar easily slips into the front pocket of my Levi's.
NeeZee
Well-known
Thanks Everyone!
Looks like there are some alternatives, will do some research.
Re Leica I(c): I know the RF-less Leicas are very compact but I'm really interested in exploring the alternative systems of that era.
Looks like there are some alternatives, will do some research.
Re Leica I(c): I know the RF-less Leicas are very compact but I'm really interested in exploring the alternative systems of that era.
radi(c)al_cam
Well-known
re the AkA cameras, I found something interesting here:
http://www.spuer-sinn.net/kamera-geschichten-–-schwermetall-vom-bodensee/
http://www.spuer-sinn.net/kamera-geschichten-–-schwermetall-vom-bodensee/#comment-3611
Has anyone ever seen a Leica M39 lens adapted to an Akarette — Akarelle, or other AkA/akw camera?
mich rassena
Well-known
Here's a few that I have and use.
Argus C3, C33, C44, and Geiss-modified C4
Ambi-Silette
Lordomat
I'm also looking into getting a Perfex, Paxette and King Regula, and Werra 4. There's a thread at one of the forums that has a list of all of these cameras though I can't find it at the moment.
Also don't forget the FSU rangefinders, like the Kiev, FED, Zorki.
The only scale focus interchangeable I can think of is the Argus 21 and the Mercury II though I'm sure there are others out there, most likely some models of the Regulas, Werras, or Paxettes.
Argus C3, C33, C44, and Geiss-modified C4
Ambi-Silette
Lordomat
I'm also looking into getting a Perfex, Paxette and King Regula, and Werra 4. There's a thread at one of the forums that has a list of all of these cameras though I can't find it at the moment.
Also don't forget the FSU rangefinders, like the Kiev, FED, Zorki.
The only scale focus interchangeable I can think of is the Argus 21 and the Mercury II though I'm sure there are others out there, most likely some models of the Regulas, Werras, or Paxettes.
mich rassena
Well-known
And how could I forget the Ansco Anscomark, or for that matter the Kodak Signet 80 (but it's delicate, and hardly fits your requirement for compactness).
Greyscale
Veteran
Not scale focus, but there is the magnificent Olympus Pen F.
Greyscale
Veteran
Canon Demi C, interchangeable lens scale-focus half frame
http://toms-shots.weebly.com/1965-canon-demi-c---half-frame-camera.html
http://toms-shots.weebly.com/1965-canon-demi-c---half-frame-camera.html
archive59
Established
The FED Zarya, a scale focus version of the FED 2.
archive59
Established
Also the Agilux Agimatic, a rather obscure British made camera. It has a proprietary bayonet mount for a 45mm and a (very scarce) 85mm lens.
nhchen
Nathan
A few years ago I did see a akarette lot being sold on eBay with a rare akarette to Leica m39 adapter. I don't think you can go the other way, the film flange distance on an akarette is larger than on a Leica I think.
Nathan
oftheherd
Veteran
German Welti is a fixed lens scale focusing camera. But I think they took series V push on aux lens for the equivalent of 35mm and 70mm. Somebody already mentioned the Kodak Retinas. I think only the model with RF had interchangeable lenses, but I might be wrong. I never had or used one. They were well respected, and were German made if I recall correctly.
radi(c)al_cam
Well-known
Dear Nathan,
you're right, of course. My translation was sloppy, my bad.
The author that I've quoted says that there would exist some «Objektivumbauten», i.e.: Leica M39 lenses modified/reconstructed for Akarette — Akarelle.