Square format cameras, 24x24?

[Crazy Fedya]

These ones were taken with Tenax II, equipped with 4cm f/2.8 Tessar.

 

[raid]

 

[daniel~]

There is a modern TLR, Blackbird Fly (BBF) that shoots 135 film in 24x24 and 24x36 format.
I got one and it's actually well designed & made, for a toy camera of course.

 

[sleepyhead]

Here are two shots taken in Rome with the Tenax II and 40mm Sonnar

 

[sleepyhead]

Here are two from the Tenax II taken at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida:

 

[sleepyhead]

Another shot from Florida (Miami).

 

[rbelyell]

It is a crop. Such things are possible, you know.

thanks for your kind reply. it seemed unlikely to me that two photos from two different photographers whould be cropped from square in a similar fashion.

 

[zuiko85]

There is the Diana Mini toy camera that can shoot both 24X24 and 18X24 on 35mm film. Freestyle has them in stock for $35 plus shipping. Their blurb on the camera only list half frame but there is a switch on the back for 24X24mm sq. frame.

There is one more simple idea. Get an Olympus OM-1, the screen is removeable so take it out and very carefully scribe 2 vertical lines 5 or 6 mm from each side. Reinstall the screen and compose within the lines for square prictures. I wouldn't bother masking the film gate unless you are going to have someone else do your printing. The bonus here is that you will have the use of a full frame camera also. That plus OM-1 cameras can be had with the standard 50 f1.8 for less than $100 and the user interchangeable screen makes it easy to mark it for square format. The OM-1 is a small and lightweight camera of no more mass than a Leica M.

 

[raid]

thanks for your kind reply. it seemed unlikely to me that two photos from two different photographers whould be cropped from square in a similar fashion.

I can only speak for my posted image. I have now posted two square images, and as you can see, they look like the rectangular one. All other images are square.

 

[FredtheLlama]

There is a modern TLR, Blackbird Fly (BBF) that shoots 135 film in 24x24 and 24x36 format.
I got one and it's actually well designed & made, for a toy camera of course.

Thanks, I'll have a look into it.

There is the Diana Mini toy camera that can shoot both 24X24 and 18X24 on 35mm film. Freestyle has them in stock for $35 plus shipping. Their blurb on the camera only list half frame but there is a switch on the back for 24X24mm sq. frame.

There is one more simple idea. Get an Olympus OM-1, the screen is removeable so take it out and very carefully scribe 2 vertical lines 5 or 6 mm from each side. Reinstall the screen and compose within the lines for square prictures. I wouldn't bother masking the film gate unless you are going to have someone else do your printing. The bonus here is that you will have the use of a full frame camera also. That plus OM-1 cameras can be had with the standard 50 f1.8 for less than $100 and the user interchangeable screen makes it easy to mark it for square format. The OM-1 is a small and lightweight camera of no more mass than a Leica M.

Cheers. I actually own a Diana Mini, but I was looking for something with a glass lens! Although it is fun to use.

I'll research a bit about the OM-1. I'm pretty sure I have an OM-10 in a cupboard somewhere, would that work?

It is a crop. Such things are possible, you know.

Someone didn't eat breakfast this morning!

It seems I'll have to spend a little more then I thought to get a nice square format to play with. I keep going back to Robot cameras, something about their quirky nature keeps appealing to me! I guess I can easily sell it on if I don't get on with one.

Thanks to those who have posted pictures above - I appreciate it.

 

[CameraQuest]

Afternoon chaps,

I was wondering if you could help me with my next camera purchase.

I'd like a 24mm x 24mm format camera, preferably a rangefinder too.

I had my heart set on a Robot Royal 24s - but my wallet just laughs at that suggestion.

Are there many other square format cameras around?

how bout 28mm by 28mm ?

the original Kodak Instamatic film
a few were rangefinders

Stephen

 

[FredtheLlama]

how bout 28mm by 28mm ?

the original Kodak Instamatic film
a few were rangefinders

Stephen

Hi Stephen,

It's a shame that the film is almost totally unsupported. I'm wanting 35mm if possible.

Does anyone have experience with the Robot 2A? With the 40mm Xenon lens?

 

[CameraQuest]

Hi Stephen,

It's a shame that the film is almost totally unsupported. I'm wanting 35mm if possible.

Does anyone have experience with the Robot 2A? With the 40mm Xenon lens?

all the Robots share3 things

1) wonderful build and mechanical precision
2) difficult to work on them - many techs will not even try.
3) very limited lens choices

finding a good Robot tech is smart before you buy the camera

Stephen

 

[Godfrey]

Hi Stephen,

It's a shame that the film is almost totally unsupported. I'm wanting 35mm if possible.

Does anyone have experience with the Robot 2A? With the 40mm Xenon lens?

Mine is a Robot II, now converted to IIa. It's my favorite of the Robots. All the Robot lenses are premium quality Zeiss and Schneider optics ... I have a 38mm Zeiss Tessar f/2.8, a 40mm Zeiss Biotar f/2, and a 30mm Schneider Xenar f/3.5 for my Robots.

My first roll with the Robot II and Zeiss Biotar 40:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdgphoto/sets/72157632742891726/

and a proof sheet of the first roll with the Star 50 and Schneider 30mm:

​

G

 

[raid]

The Agfa Rapid was in square format with a special Agfa film cassette. No use looking for one.

I would say, get a gorgeous Tenax II.

 

[emmef2]

this is my lovely Taxona with the Novonar triplet, it is rather small but solid and you can find it at a fair budget price:

and a few pics taken with it (Agfa CT Precisa X-processed):

 

[Godfrey]

all the Robots share3 things

1) wonderful build and mechanical precision
2) difficult to work on them - many techs will not even try.
3) very limited lens choices

finding a good Robot tech is smart before you buy the camera

Stephen

There are basically 38-40mm lenses and 75mm lenses. A few specialties like the Schneider 30mm, and I've seen some rare 135 and 200 lenses. All of them are good quality.

Fritz Kergl in Düsseldorf is the guy to talk to if you need service. Send him email—he doesn't speak English very well, but his daughter translates for him.
=

ROBOT Kameradienst
z.H. Fritz Kergl
Edisonplatz 5
40235 Düsseldorf

fon + 49 211 23 77 51
fax + 49 211 618 56 81

info@robot-kameradienst.de
http://robot-kameradienst.de/profil.html ... Translated it says:

"We have more than 50 years of experience ROBOT.

We are two people, Fritz and Andreas Kergl. Fritz Kergl was employed as head of the camera assembly ROBOT,
Andreas Kergl has made an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk at ROBOT.

Here are the details:

- Fritz Kergl since 1955 worked with ROBOT, including 35 years as head of the camera assembly.

- Andreas Kergl 1993-1995 held an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk at ROBOT.

Your camera is in good hands with us, almost no matter what the problem is. Sorry, but we must also point out that in some cases, specific spare parts are not available. But often it's just a little thing that is needed to make your camera perfectly fit again, where perhaps no spare parts are needed."

Fritz rebuilt my Star 50 (needed a LOT of parts) and did a thorough CLA and upgrade on my Robot II. His prices were extremely reasonable (about €80 for each camera), the work he did is top notch. He couldn't resurrect my Schneider 40, so he sold me a super nice condition Zeiss 38/2.8 as replacement for €50. I sent him both cameras around March 21; both were returned in excellent shape in about four weeks.

I recommend his work for any Robot camera enthusiast. Tell him I sent you.

My Robots:

Berning Robot II fitted with Zeiss Biotar 40

Berning Robot II fitted with Zeiss Biotar 40

Robot Star 50 fitted with Schneider 30
​

I dig these cameras, particularly the Robot IIa. It's a kick to use, like a Rollei 35 on steroids for build quality and speed.

G

 

[Godfrey]

this is my lovely Taxona with the Novonar triplet, it is rather small but solid and you can find it at a fair budget price:

That's a beauty! 🙂

G

 

[FredtheLlama]

Godfrey - what a brilliant reply, thank you.

Whats the difference between the II and IIa? Am I right in thinking that the 2A accepts standard 35mm cartridges for the film feed and then a Robot cartridge for a take up spool?

How do you determine exposure? I wouldn't mind a small light meter on the accessory shoe.

Sorry for the boring questions. The square format seems great for portraits.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

I have a Robot Star II, I think, equipped with 40/1.9 Xenar lens. It takes 35mm film with Robot take-up casette. Here are some images: