Atomic Age Rangefinder - Anscomark M

[bmattock]

Unpacking in the new house, came across this blast from the past. All in working order, need to get out and shoot with it.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskGRJgCM

This is the Ansco Anscomark M, an interchangeable lens rangefinder camera from 1960, and boy does it look it! It's a year older than I am!


2018-10-25 12.23.42 by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr

The logo on the upper left conceals a selenium meter (I do not believe mine works, unfortunately).


2018-10-25 12.23.24 by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr

This camera is not small - about the size of a Yashica Electro GSN - but all angles and sharp edges. It's really not that comfortable to hold.


2018-10-25 12.23.11 by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr

It was offered with three accessory lenses, and I'm fortunate enough to have them. Mine appear never to have been used at all. No signs of even having been mounted on a camera.


2018-10-25 12.22.00 by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr

The lenses are a 50mm f/1.9, a 100mm f/4, and a 35mm f/3.5. All of a model called 'Xyton' by Ansco.

This camera was made for Ansco by Riken, better known as Ricoh. They apparently also sold this in Japan as the Ricoh 999, but I've never seen one of those.

Anyway, thought I'd share. Since the shutter works and the rangefinder patch is functional if somewhat light, I thought I might run a roll of film through it soon. I'm not sure it's ever been used at all.

Given how ungainly it is to handle, I doubt it will become an everyday shooter for me, but it will be cool on display in my new-to-me 1954 ranch home.

Comments welcome as always.

 

[Sumarongi]

It's the Japanese-American sister of Kodak's Retina IIIS, so to say 😉

 

[rfaspen]

I have to say... that is the perfect camera to have and display in a MCM "atomic ranch" home. Very correct period furnishings.

Are the lenses bayonet mount? Are there any lens elements that remain in the body and not part of the interchangeable lenses?

 

[bmattock]

I have to say... that is the perfect camera to have and display in a MCM "atomic ranch" home. Very correct period furnishings.

Are the lenses bayonet mount? Are there any lens elements that remain in the body and not part of the interchangeable lenses?

Yes, the lenses are bayonet mount, and no, no rear elements behind the shutter in the camera body. True full replacement lenses.

Here's a link showing the camera sans lens:
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ansco_Anscomark_M

It's a very nice easy bayonet mount - simple and easy. I noted that the exposed leaf shutter will not operate if the lens is removed or the back is open, which is interesting. Some kind of interlock, I guess.

 

[xayraa33]

That is so cool looking for a camera, very mid 1960s Chrysler in its appearance.

Even in the first ads for the Fender Stratocaster guitar hinted at the wonders of the Atomic age. That was a real selling point back in the marvellous 1950s and the tumultuous 1960s.

I need to find a time machine.

 

[Guth]

Now that is pretty awesome — thanks for sharing!

 

[zuiko85]

Eat your heart out Leica M2 owners! This would fit right in with The Jetsons'.