Spring Motor Cameras?

[FredtheLlama]

Hi all,

For no real reason (gas) I want to try a spring motor camera. I've googled without much luck, but does anyone have a list or any particular model they recommend?

I'd love a Robot Royal, but they command a high price I can't afford and the idea of separate take up cassettes puts me off.

I know about the Fuji Drive half frame, but again the top speed (1/125 iirc) and top ISO of 200 rule that out.

And before someone mentions the Leningrad, I think they can't shoot continuously on a single shutter press? Unless someone knows better.

Any others I can't think of?

 

[View Range]

Foton. But also command very high prices.

 

[sevo]

The Robot Royal needs a take up cassette like a Contax or Exakta (or many other cameras from that period) need a take up spool. They can be rewound, and loaded with regular film cassettes - only the Robot and Robot II were restricted there.

 

[FredtheLlama]

The Robot Royal needs a take up cassette like a Contax or Exakta (or many other cameras from that period) need a take up spool. They can be rewound, and loaded with regular film cassettes - only the Robot and Robot II were restricted there.

Ah I didn't realise they could be rewound. I'm assuming you'd only need one take up casette then?

 

[kbg32]

Canon Dial.

 

[FredtheLlama]

Canon Dial.

Great suggestion, thank you. I discounted it because I assumed it was a portrait orientated 1/2 frame like the majority of others.


Do you know if it allows rapid fire?

I'll add it to the short list.

 

[rjbuzzclick]

Do you know if it allows rapid fire?

It does not allow rapid fire. You have to press the shutter at each frame. There are also Bell & Howell branded versions of the same camera.

 

[Particular]

If you are interested more broadly in 'alternative drive' cameras, have a look at the Graflex Graphic Jet. It was a 35mm camera driven by a CO2 cartridge. How cool is that? They aren't so expensive I believe. I've never seen one, and I have no idea how well it worked.

Ps. That is some literal gas...

 

[randolph45]

I seem to remember a Ricoh from the 70s but can't say what model or if it was half frame.
Found it Ricoh Auto half frame.Not your cup of tea.

 

[rbiemer]

I recall seeing one for sale several years ago--pretty sure I posted a thread about it then--I did. See here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12439

If you are interested more broadly in 'alternative drive' cameras, have a look at the Graflex Graphic Jet. It was a 35mm camera driven by a CO2 cartridge. How cool is that? They aren't so expensive I believe. I've never seen one, and I have no idea how well it worked.

Ps. That is some literal gas...

There are the Richo Auto Half cameras. I have one I'm playing with now and once I finish the roll I will know for sure but, so far, it seems to be pretty competent. Single shot (or semi automatic) per shutter press.
Nice small size and decent heft.
Kodak made at least one 126 camera that was spring driven. Film might be a concern, though.
Rob

 

[FredtheLlama]

If you are interested more broadly in 'alternative drive' cameras, have a look at the Graflex Graphic Jet. It was a 35mm camera driven by a CO2 cartridge. How cool is that? They aren't so expensive I believe. I've never seen one, and I have no idea how well it worked.

Ps. That is some literal gas...

Sounds dangerous, and fun! I'll have a search about them. Thanks

 

[FredtheLlama]

I seem to remember a Ricoh from the 70s but can't say what model or if it was half frame.
Found it Ricoh Auto half frame.Not your cup of tea.

Are you thinking of the Ricoh Hi-color? I've just discovered them now. Scale focus, spring motor, full frame. Sounds good. Trying to find out if they allow rapid fire. Thanks

 

[Livesteamer]

Praktina offered a spring motor for their cameras. I've got one but have never figured out how to sync it with the camera. I think I remember that Roger Hicks has some experience with these. Good Luck. Joe

 

[nhchen]

I think Finetta 99 was also a spring drive camera.
nathan

 

[Roger Hicks]

Praktina offered a spring motor for their cameras. I've got one but have never figured out how to sync it with the camera. I think I remember that Roger Hicks has some experience with these. Good Luck. Joe

Yes, I had one but it was over 30 years ago. As far as I recall it worked fine. But for an easy spring motor camera, albeit without "Serie" (hold it down nd it keeps shooting) I'd back Robot.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Spavinaw]

Of course there are the three models of the Kodak Motormatic 35. You wind it up and it is said to take ten exposures in six seconds. I think you have to push the release for each exposure. It gives automatic exposure. You set the shutter speed and it selects the aperture.

 

[randolph45]

Are you thinking of the Ricoh Hi-color? I've just discovered them now. Scale focus, spring motor, full frame. Sounds good. Trying to find out if they allow rapid fire. Thanks

Thats the one!
The shutter had a cable release thread.

 

[newspaperguy]

I'm another ex-Practina FX user. Hard to keep adjusted and smi-auto only, but it would shoot as fast as you could. I got nine frames of Ricardo Rodriquez rolling his Porsche RS at Meadowdale ba m in the late 59's. (Why do I remember... It was my first big magazine sale!)

 

[cassel]

Beautiful and rare: the Auto Terra Cameras, late 1950's through 1962. The late "Super" models featured a Zunow lens. If you find TWO, let me know and I'll take one🙄

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Wasn't there a rare Praktica that took a motor drive? Not sure if it was clockwork or what and can't remember the model name but it was too ahead of its time to sell.

Also a full frame Ricoh (500 series) that took a clockwork motor but again I've seen one and remember less.

Regards, David