Carl Zeiss Jena Werramat

[firebirdslinger]

Hi,

I just bought a Werramat from ebay. I'm facing a problem with the focusing. I've tried searching for the manual instruction on the net, but can't find any on Werramat. Apparently when I turn the lens, there are no effect on the rangefinder. Is mine broken, or do I have to 'guess' the distance as in the case of old folding rangefinder? Hope someone can help me here. Thanks!

 

[ZeissFan]

Looking at the front of the camera, does it have one window or two?

If there is just one, it might be a zone focus camera.

This is a Werra 3. Notice the second smaller window to the left of the lens.

 

[firebirdslinger]

hmm.. just one window. so.. it's a zone focus camera? I don't really know what that means. Can you explain to me what that means? Pardon my ignorance. And thanks for the help!

 

[thirteen]

I have a Werra 1 - even more basic than the later Werramat. Try this link to help understand zone focusing.

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how zone focus.html

Dave

 

[ruby.monkey]

The Werramat is a scale focus camera (guess the distance, dial that in on the lens). The -mat part of the name refers to the coupled light meter. The Werramatic was the coupled-rangefinder equivalent.

 

[Zero Nakajima]

It has no rangefinder.

The total explanation of "zone focussing" is "guess the distance".

 

[firebirdslinger]

ok.. thanks a lot for the help guys, really explain a lot in understanding this camera.. really love the quirky design. Might try to get my hands on a Werramatic soon I guess..

 

[Roger Hicks]

The total explanation of "zone focussing" is "guess the distance".

Not quite the total. There's also 'use the depth of field either side of the guessed distance'. This is the 'zone' in question.

Cheers,

R.