Robot Royal 24 - First photos w/Acros 100

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A couple months ago I got a Robot Royal 24. I was very disappointed - it ended up with the RF being totally broken (not even a patch visible, it skipped frames when shooting and the back needed covering.


I just got it back from repair and CLA and have far more in it that I had hoped (or will ever recover, I'm afraid!). Everything is still not 100%, so it will go back to the repairman, but I had to give it a try. Not sure I like the 24x24 format, I guess I thought it would be cool, but I'm now asking "Why?" !

Anyway, here are a couple shots from the first roll of Acros, please feel free to comment. I think the lens is nice and sharp and the negatives tiny!

Robot-Acros-100-6.jpg


Robot-Acros-100-5.jpg
 
what's not to like in these shots. Good glass and exposure seems just fine. I"m not certain which of the many Robot cameras this one is however I think they are very cool. I'd keep it if I was you. Otherwise just box it up and send it to me ;D j/k

PS the square 135 format is a unique look, I like it.
 
I prefer the square format myself. Many of us have far more in those damaged "beauties" we pick up at Camera Fairs and elsewhere. Using them is what counts. Enjoy the camera. Based on the Robot reputation for solidity and weight, if you tire of using it for photography, you'll have a good hammer in hand. 😀
 
I have a Robot Star. Love it! It's smaller still. You really ought to hang onto your Royal--the square format is unusual and fun, and people will ask you what the hell that thing is you're shooting with.

My favorite thing to do with this format, so far, is to shoot triptychs on Tri-X. Here's a recent one...
 

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What a beautiful camera!! Congrats. There's so much pleasure in bringing a classic back to life--it transcends $$.
 
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Well, maybe I don't have that much tied up in it! 🙂

I have to pack it up to get a couple of things tweaked, so I can't do anything yet anyway. I had intended to shoot diptychs as well, though the triptychs look intersting now!

Thanks for the comments, I may try to shoot some color with it when it gets back...
 
Hi, I own a Robot IIa with several lenses, Schneider (black) 30, 40, 75 and a Tessar 37.5/2.8. The Schneiders are coated and very good performers. I wonder if the Robot Royal lenses are any better as the Robot II ones. Has anybody experience?
Will Maes
 
Will, that would be interesting to know. BTW, I got my Robot back today and it is working perfectly, it is a really cool little camera!

I do think I am going to let it go though, I would really like to trade for a CV 35mm Nokton 1. 2....

Here is a better shot of the camera, of anyone is interested...

Robot-front-1.jpg
 
Excuse my ignorance, but what is special about robot cameras? My dad has always said he's wanted one but I know nothing about them.
 
usagisakana said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what is special about robot cameras? My dad has always said he's wanted one but I know nothing about them.
Click to expand...

They are quite a unique German camera, with a clockwork motor drive (maybe 4-6 fps!), very good S-K and Zeiss lenses, and they feel like they are cut from a block of metal - very heavy. The cool/fun factor is off the chart!
 
I have a very nice looking Zeiss Tenax 2/3 frame camera with a 40mm/2.0 Zeiss Sonnar that I may trade or sell.
 
If you don't like the square format, you could always get yourself a Robot Royal 36. These beasts are fantastic, heavy as heck, and are made of stainless steel. One website (Lights in the Box) refers to them as a combination of precision watchmaking with heavy artillery.

The only thing I don't like about them is that they don't have any camera strap eyelets, and it's a bit tough to find everready cases for them.

If anyone's interested, I have a Robot Royal III (24) with some accessories that I'd like to sell. Body was fully overhauled a couple of years ago by Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz.

UPDATE: This camera is now sold!
 

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HiHo,

just drop in to find a thread about the little Robot. Few days ago I couldn't resist buying a Robot Star 50 in Prague. There is a shop with thousands of old cameras and lenses, so this little piece of craftmanship ended in my bag.
When I opened the back door I could find a filmroll chamber like old Leicas have.
The Schneider Xenon f1,9 40mm looks clean and without any marks.
Looking int the german ebay, some are listed as the former "Stasi" camera, the secret service of the German Democratic Republic.

But the production was in Dusseldorf/Rhine, 5 km from my hometown.

In the sixties and seventies this camera was installed in permanent speed limit control-boxes. They earned a fortune.....
For this purpose they are equipped with an electrical solenoid to trigger the shutter release.

In the next days I`ll try to load a Neopan 400 or Acros and shoot about 50 frames 24x24 - it's the poor mans Hassy....😉

Bernd
 

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