Jaeger-LeCoultre Compass Camera... wow

[largedrink]

I became aware that this amazing rangefinder camera existed a few days ago and found a nice review article from last year that I thought others would be interested to read (couldn't find any previous links to it here):

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/jaeger-lecoultre-compass-camera

Wish I could afford one!

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Finding a camera to buy would be much harder than finding the money to buy it.

 

[Shac]

Thanks for the link. I'd seen an image of one but never knew anything about the details. Fascinating!

 

[Robert Lai]

Wow, what an exquisite jewel. And I thought that the Barnack Leicas were jewel like.

 

[dmr]

35mm sheet film????? 🙂

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Doesn't much matter what film goes in there, who would shoot it anyway?
I would just fiddle with all the stuff.

35mm sheet film????? 🙂

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I wish they'd get the name right, it's a Compass Camera; in the same way that we name cameras after the firm that designed them and not after the sub-contracter who made them.

They did a total recall of the first model in the late 1930's and I've seen one or two for sale...

Regards, David

 

[Jack Conrad]

I'd sure like to find (in the wild) one of these exquisite little beauties to fondle and play with.

That video in the op of the girl selling the kit was very well done.

 

[f16sunshine]

Yikes that is a pretty camera....Makes a Leica look like a worn out old tractor 😛

 

[DougFord]

Its only design flaw seems to be that it took three hands to operate the thing.
A free upgrade for 35mm roll film via a modular attachment. Check out that light meter, fascinating idea.

 

[NickTrop]

Do they make a digital version? (I can see why they stuck to watches...)

 

[JeffS7444]

Doesn't much matter what film goes in there, who would shoot it anyway?
I would just fiddle with all the stuff.

I think it'd be awesome to use, combining the convenience of a view camera with the image quality of 35mm! 😀

 

[leicapixie]

Take a pause.
It needed an adapter to re-load 35mm film.
The most mechanical shutter speeds..
made to use glass plates. sigh. and Band-Aid.
Ya want slow shooting and careful, ya got it.
Oh! Where does glass plates come in that size?
You cut in dark 8x10 glass plates.
Yes! It splinters. Band-Aid.
OH i actually held one, used the shutter speeds.
I remember that 35mm did not fit into loader. sigh.

 

[YouAreHere]

Three available on eBay Austria.

Or you can have almost as much fun by getting an OLEYO.

 

[Abbazz]

Leicashop in Vienna has a few Compass for sale, although not for cheap...

35mm sheet film????? 🙂

There's a nice rollfilm back:

Credit: Leica Shop Vienna

Credit: Leica Shop Vienna

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[johnf04]

The rollfilm back used 828 sized film.

 

[Godfrey]

I became fascinated with the Compass Camera some years back and nearly bought one. Never mind making photos with it; it's just a fascinating piece of mechanical trivia.

Awkward to use, of course.
Hideously expensive, of course.
Ferociously hard to get serviced if it jams, of course.

Who cares? It's glorious bit of watchmaker's and camera maker's craft from long ago.

G