Werra 3 anyone?

[Ronald_H]

Just got my first roll back from my freshly CLA'd Werra 3. Quirky little camera. Interchangable lenses but a leaf shutter (that goes all the way up to 1/750th). Very bright combined view/rangefinder. Strange controls (just ask the uninitiated to advance the fim).

But as they say, Tessars don't lie...


R.T.M by Ronald_H, on Flickr

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

I used one of these about thirty years ago, with the standard lens only. At that time, the other lenses were very difficult to source in the UK, so I eventually gave up on it. Apart from that, the round the lens wind was a great idea and I liked the camera generally. You seem to be getting on well with your specimen. 😀

 

[Ronald_H]

Got my info from that site too. and I believe Roger Hicks once did a write-up on it.

Since my Canonet QL17 GIII died I have been looking for a small RF that I can take anywhere. I regularly saw Werras on fairs in Germany but see them rarely discussed here. I was impressed by the bright finder and intrigued by its East German heritage and quirky design. If you do not need to be quick it is a very nice and capable camera with a stellar lens.

 

[CPDST]

Hi Ronald,

I too have a Werra, though mine is the top of the line Werramatic E model. I picked it up through eBay UK after reading Alfred Klomp's write-up - http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/werramatic/ - it sounded like an interesting camera to have in my collection. Mine came with the standard CZJ Tessar, black plastic lens hood, lens cap, brown ever-ready case and a CZJ Cardinar f4/100 lens. It looks exactly like Alfred Klomp's camera, only the "Carl Zeiss Jena" logo lies between WERRA and matic. Did yours come with any accessories?

Cheers,
Craig 🙂

 

[burancap]

Another Werra here.

The original in olive green.

To this day... what I consider the most beautiful camera ever made, IMHO, of course.

 

[laurie]

My first "real" camera was a Werra 2 "borrowed" from my father, who bought it while he was stationed in Germany. I gave it back to him when I bought my first SLR in 1985, and he passed it on to a grandchild.

I wish I had that Werra now. That was a sweet little camera.

 

[shadowfox]

Ronald, showing off the shots without a picture of the camera?

Shame on you.

😀

 

[Ronald_H]

Ronald, showing off the shots without a picture of the camera?

Shame on you.

😀

I only show off my blue Leica M2, the rest of my cameras are for shooting with, not to make pictures off 😀 But you got a point, I will make a nice picture when I can find the energy to set up my light tent. Don't hold your breath though, I am working on more interesting stuff at the moment.

I got the plastic lens cap and a yellow filter, no other goodies btw.

 

[Muggins]

Got my info from that site too. and I believe Roger Hicks once did a write-up on it.

Yes, Roger did a write-up in Shutterbug some time ago, yer tis as they say in the West Country.

http://www.shutterbug.com/content/werra-east-german-wonder Much as I love it, I agree with Roger in that the LV system is a PITA when you want to alter both shutter speed and aperture. And yes, I've played the scahdenfreude game too... The clear rangefinder patch, unique to the Werra, is very clear but never quite lines up in the other direction which is rather distracting.

This was my Werra collection, I've since passed on the later Werra 1. You may notice distinct similarities between my Werra 3 and Roger's 😀
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gray1720/3555576989/in/set-72157615594775003

Adrian