Mystery Camera

[Ginkgo]

Hello! I'm new to the forum and hope to contribute what I can. First, apologies for asking about an SLR! Some years ago I saw a very unusual SLR film camera, probably in an antique mall. I'm almost certain it was Italian, but it was not a Rectaflex, at least not the block-shaped camera we know. It was very curvy, with a rounded silver body and even the lens was rounded and curvy. Any thoughts of what it was? Thanks for your thoughts! Norm

 

[Mos6502]

Firstly, why do you think it was Italian?

 

[nikon_sam]

Not sure how complete this list is but here ya go...

Italian vintage cameras

Officine Galileo Condor, Bencini Koroll, Bencini Comet, Ferrania Lince, Durst Automatica, Closter Princessa, camera information, photographs, collection

www.cjs-classic-cameras.co.uk

 

[Ginkgo]

Hello! I just seem to recall it was Italian. It was an SLR, or certainly appeared to be, and had very smoothed over edges. Not angular at all. It was stunning frankly.

 

[raydm6]

Are you definitely sure it was an SLR and not a viewfinder or rangefinder camera?

Perhaps a Rectaflex Liechtenstein?

Rectaflex Liechtenstein at Historic Camera

Rectaflex Liechtenstein​

Photo Courtesy of willboy2010 - © All Rights Reserved

The Rectaflex Liechtenstein Camera was manufactured in 1955 after the Rectaflex company was sold to the Prince of Liechtenstein who moved the manufacturing to Lichtenstein, Germany. It was basicaly the same camera design carrying serial numbers 40000 and up. It featured a reshaped pentaprism cover, and carried the Liechtenstein blason or coat of arms on the front. The Rectaflex Liechtenstein Camera was produced until 1958.​

 

[raydm6]

It wasn't a Nikon was it?

here's an interesting article:

Nikon and Italdesign: A Japanese Camera's Italian Design Heritage​

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/nikon-and-italdesign-a-japanese-cameras-italian-design-heritage

 

[raydm6]

Anyway, here are some 35mm Italian jewels:

35mm Italian Jewels

And some more from this collector:
MISTERMONDO ITALIAN CAMERAS

Cameras - MISTERMONDO ITALIAN CAMERAS

 

[Mos6502]

If I think of an Italian camera with lots of curves, the Bilora Bella series comes to mind, but none are SLRs.

Or perhaps they have an early Alpa in mind. Not Italian, but nearby.

 

[Dralowid]

Durst Duca, made in Bolzano.

 

[joe bosak]

Maybe you'll see it here - sure are some out there designs... personally I like the Lachaise Mecilux, the Alsaphot Cyclope...

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