Can you identify this camera?

[ray_g]

I have no clue. Anyone?

 

[bmattock]

Cap'n Slack just got one too!

 

[jlw]

It's a US-made Universal Mercury II, circa 1945. It makes about 65 exposures on standard 35mm film. The similar-looking Mercury I was made in the late '30s and used a special-size "#200" film made in Belgium (by Gevaert?) and sold by Universal; this scheme allowed them to make money on film sales as well as cameras.

The weird-looking arced enclosure on the top of the camera accommodated the semi-circular blades of its rotating focal-plane shutter, which offered speeds of 1/20 to 1/1000 sec.

 

[OldNick]

That is the early model, but has less corrosion than my Mercury II. Try it out. You'll like the sharpness of the lens. I posted some examples of photos on another thread yesterday. See the thread on weirdest cameras.

 

[ray_g]

Well, that's one reason why RFF Rocks!

Thanks, guys.

 

[x-ray]

I bought one some years ago because it reminded me of an old parking meter.

 

[jan normandale]

I've only seen shots of these curiosities. But like most here, I would love to play with one in public for one day. Its the exhibitionist in me! LOL