Ansco Speedex Rangefinder...

[Scott --]

Hi, all -

I've been rehabbing an Ansco Speedex (technically the "Speedex 4.5 Special with Uncoupled Rangefinder", not the Special R) and took it out today for a test. The Speedex got a complete workover, replacing crusty lube, recollimating the lens (a Solinar on this one), and a new bellows.

The test shots were in a local graveyard of an abandoned church. Great place to take pictures. A couple from the roll, in particular, really show off what the Solinar can do:

There's a little tweaking left to do on this one, but it's turning out to be a stunner. Love these cameras!

Scott

 

[Scott --]

The 4.5 Special w/ Rangefinder predates the Special R. Not sure by how much. Once it was renamed "Special R", the 4.5 Special became the rangefinder-less model II you mention. To check which model you have - read the door. 😀 The older model actually is branded "Speedex 4.5 Special with Uncoupled Rangefinder", while the Special R is, obviously, branded "Special R".

This cemetery in particular has an almost exclusive immigrant population, most dating to the late 1700s through late 1800s. Many flu outbreak victims, children, and canal builders. Divided into Irish and Italian sections - segregated by a great distance. And a lot of children.

 

[Scott --]

I actually have two of these (the other one in pieces), and both are Solinar equipped, FWIW.

 

[charjohncarter]

No RF on mine and no Solinar either. But both are beauties, one is, I think, one of the newer ones, it is different on the top. I got a Medis Rangefinder on Ebay for $7.00. That one little addition has really helped the pictures. I can use the Medis with five cameras. A great help. Here it is on a Solinette II:

 

[hanskerensky]

Thanks for the photo of the frontdoor Scott !

That's a realy interesting story about renaming the model. Also strange that the text on the door states that the Ansco camera was made in Germany. Wouldn't have expected that on such a prominent place. Is this the case with all the Ansco "Isolettes" ?