Foth Derby

[Ezzie]

Came over one of these, and since it was dirt cheap I couldn´t resist buying it. Strange little thing. Focal plane shutter no less. You have to cock the shutter after setting the speed. Cocking action is by twirling the shutter speed dial. Speeds: 1/25, 1/50, 1/75, 1/100, 1/200 and 1/500. Visual inspection would indicate that speeds over 1/100 are all the same on my piece. Rather crude build, but hefty. Weighs a sight more than my X-E1 with XF18/2 mounted. Though no bigger that two iPhones stacked on top of each other.

Compared to the 2.8E3:


Foth and Franke & Heidecke by Eirik0304, on Flickr


And it works too:


Fire Hydrant by Eirik0304, on Flickr

 

[John Lawrence]

I owned a Foth Derby years ago and found it to be quite a well made and nifty little camera. The difficulty in obtaining 127 film meant I sold it some time ago.

I don't know how true this is, but when I first got it, the elderly gent behind the counter in the local photography shop told me that apparently a French camera company were so impressed with it, that they produced an identical copy and sold it under their own name.

John

 

[jnoir]

The French-made Gallus Derby was inspired on the Foth.

https://sites.google.com/site/ldtomei/earlyvintagecameras

I own the RF version of the Foth Derby, nice little camera, mine does not see extensive use though.

 

[Muggins]

Oooh, nice to see a working Derby! I once had a junker I bought in the hope of resurrecting it, but eventually passed it on as dead as when I got it.

Some chap named Hicks wrote a review for Shutterbug of the Gallus Derby:
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/gallus-derby-lux-strength-lens-cap-alone…

Adrian

 

[Ezzie]

Thanks folks.

This is the Derby Model III, with Foth Anastigmat 50 f3.5, type II viewfinder, and self timer. Not tested the faster speeds yet, but all else is hunky dory. Neat little thing to have in one's pocket. The shutter speed dial winding down when shutter is fired sounds like the mating call of a grouse, takes a bit getting used to.

 

[iphoenix]

Please forgive me for "bumping" this thread.

I have the camera (same model as the OP's) that my father used during WW2, when he was in Australian naval intelligence. Also have photos of Japanese spies aboard pearling luggers taken by this camera.

The shutter needs repair (2nd curtain tapes separated) and possibly a lens clean. I guess a full CLA.

I want to use it in his memory, so can anyone suggest where in Australia it could be serviced/repaired?

David

 

[Muggins]

If no-one in OZ can help, maybe try Chris Sherlock (the Retina guy) in NZ? While things with curtains are not in his usual line of work, I suspect if anyone in the Antipodes knows anyone who can, it'll be him.

 

[mconnealy]

Such a great little camera. I was lucky to find one needing just a little fabric paint on the shutter curtains to make it useable.

KIMO Theater by Mike Connealy, on Flickr

Here is a link to replacing shutter curtains on the similar Gallus:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/sets/72157615345342797/with/3361626396/