Vollenda Nagel 70/1

[FrankM]

Hello
I have just acquired this camera.

I can’t figure out how to open the back! It may have something to do with the sliding button in the side plate, which says either ‘A’ or ‘Z’…

Any guidance would be welcome.

Also- does this take 120 or 127 film?

Many thanks

Frank

 

[Muggins]

The A Z plate is almost certainly auf (open) or zu (closed), so probably is to do with opening it, but I can't see how from the photos.

The best place to ask is the Kodak Retina and Retinette Lovers Facebook page - the Retinas came out of Nagel patents, so they welcome Nagel cameras, and they have access to a Nagel historian (not on social media himself) who will probably be able to tell you a lot about your new baby. Camera-wiki suggests it uses 120, btw.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Both Nagel's 6x9 and 3x4 versions were named Vollenda. This appears to be the 6x9cm version.
After Kodak took over it got shrunk down to accommodate Dr. Nagel's new-fangled 35mm cartridge, and it was renamed "Retina".

Looking at some other photos of the 70-series, it looks like there's a hinge on the edge of the back of the camera, on the opposite side of the Auf/Zu slider.
Setting it to A should allow for it to fold open along that edge.

 

[FrankM]

Success! Many thanks!! Slide the button to A, then pull the two sides apart.

 

[Muggins]

Neat! Never seen one that opens quite like that before.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Cool.
It reminds me of a Folding Pocket Kodak No.0. That also slides apart like that.

 

[FrankM]

Success! Sample photo.

 

[Muggins]

Looks pretty decent to me!