Square format cameras, 24x24?

[Muggins]

How about a British Purma Special?

While we're at it, far from the worlds most practical cameras with the current dearth of 127 film, but let's not forget the Special's stablemates the Purma Plus (which has the worst viewfinder of any camera I've ever come across bar none!).


Luvverly action! by gray1720, on Flickr (that looks a pretty good 1/500th to me!)


Purmas by gray1720, on Flickr

and the Purma Speed - a real rarity, built for a year or so, and looks a bit like a Barnack if you get it far away enough in a dark enough room!


Purma Speed by gray1720, on Flickr
(if anyone has a picture of one in it's ERC, I'd love to see it!)

and the results - I still seem to be the only person on Flickr who has used one! This has another dreadful viewfinder, but for different reasons - the shutter release is between the two halves, so you have to peer over your finger!


Purma Speed - Turl Street, Oxford by gray1720, on Flickr

Adrian

 

[wes loder]

Is Square neglected or just this thread?

Is Square neglected or just this thread?

After several years of research and consideration, I recently purchased a Tenax II with 40mm f2 Sonnar lens. Camera is a delight to work with and easy to shoot. Counter appears to hang up at certain numbers and the focus is stiff, but otherwise it is clean and in beautiful condition. If you are still looking for a square, 24X24 camera, you might want to consider a Tenax II. The rangefinder is bright and the view lifesize. The lever advance was innovative for its time. It uses standard 35mm cartridges and a Contax-type takeup stool.
I hope to have some pictures soon. Local lab can't digitize or print square shots, so I have to do that part myself.
The Tenax II was one of several cameras designed by Hubert Nerwin, Zeiss' head of camera design in the 1930s. Mine was made in 1938. It also has flash sync and a German Navy normal lens. Zeiss might have made some 10,000 of these cameras but fewer than 900 of the 75mm telephotos and only 302 of the 27mm Orthometar wide angle. That may explain why you have never seen one of those "in the flesh." Ebay always seems to have a few for sale but unless the prices start under $300, they don't sell. Make sure any you see have a takeup spool and an unscratched lens. Mine is unmarred and takes excellent pictures despite the lack of coatings. Cheers, WES