orwopan
Contributing Member
Posts: 35
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Post by orwopan on Sept 25, 2006 17:03:01 GMT -5
I will let you have a look on the odds and ends of my little collection, starting off with this beauty from the former GDR: altix-nb from VEB Altissa-Werk Dresden. A simple,yet well made viewfinder camera with interchangeable lenses (a 35mm, two 50mm and a 90mm were made for this breech-lock mount similar to the Pentacon six/Kiev60 but much smaller of course). The nb is the last model built by Altissa in 1958 to 1959 before the merger of several small factories to the huge Kombinat VEB Pentacon. However it was sold from stock at least till the early 60´s. The camera passport of my nb dates the 5th of May 1960, sold for 295 Mark. It comes with a rapid wind lever,TEMPOR leaf shutter 1/1-1/250 sec and B, Brightline-viewfinder with mirrored frames for 50mm and 90mm and uncoupled selenium lightmeter. You have to search a long time to get one with working meter, it is a usual fault of these cameras. Mine is dead also, but the camera came with the original box, leather case, passport and accessory viewfinder,so I couldn´t resist. And it has the Zeiss Tessar, so it was a "must-have". Swapped it for some old books actually. The additional finder is very useful, ´cause in poor lighting condition and indoors the camera´s vf is very dim, and the mirrored-in brightlines are not visible anymore. You have to estimate focus anyhow, so don´t bother about this geeky accessory. The altix nb is about the size of a Kodak Retinette Ib or a Voigtländer Vito C, but quite heavy, made of cast metal with detachable back and bottom. Some people rate it an ugly duckling, but I like the design. It is not half as sexy as a early Zorki or LEICA, but who cares. If only it would have been reengineered as a real rangefinder... any questions anybody? feel free to ask! More strange eastern cameras to come... see ya, Philipp
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Post by kiev4a on Sept 25, 2006 19:53:29 GMT -5
Interesting camera. One I've never encountered or heard of. It must have been for GDR consumption, not an export. Must be a one-of-a-kind lens mount. Does it have a Leica-type FP shutter?
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orwopan
Contributing Member
Posts: 35
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Post by orwopan on Sept 26, 2006 6:36:25 GMT -5
Wayne,
you are right, only few Altix were exported, most of them were sold in the GDR and other Warsaw Pact countries. It has a leaf shutter, similar to most of the small Viewfinder cameras of the sixties..
see you,
Philipp
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Sept 26, 2006 8:01:08 GMT -5
Very nice Altissa Philipp. You're right, I very seldom see Altix of any sort over here. I've got an Altissa Classic 35 but as you see, fixed lens, bottom loader w/cheaper lens. I also have a Meyer Optik Gorlitz 90/3.5 Telefogar in Altiix Altissa mount. The aperture ring moves smoothly, and the focus is smooth from 1.5 meters to just past two meters, then the focus ring jams on something inside the lens. I was going to pull it apart to see what's striking the focus ring, but never got around to it. The front element looks good, the rear has a few marks in the coating, but here's the kicker: since I got it for free years back in a box of estate goodies, you can have it if you feel you can use it. I have so many things and only so little room to store them. P.M. me your name and address if you'd like the lens. Maybe you can fix it or use it for parts. Take care, Curt.
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Sept 26, 2006 8:16:13 GMT -5
Just a photo of the Telefogar
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orwopan
Contributing Member
Posts: 35
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Post by orwopan on Sept 26, 2006 11:03:38 GMT -5
Curt,
that is a nice Classic 35, the Trioplan being a decent triplet lens. Over here it was sold as Altix IV, manufactured from 1952 to 1954 when it got reworked into the Altix V with interchangeable lenses. I could have bet that you have one sitting around... ;D
btw, you have a PM!
see ya,
Philipp
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Post by John Parry on Sept 26, 2006 15:09:25 GMT -5
Philipp,
Well done - I know there seem to be a lot of steps, but when you've done it once it's easy. Don't forget about the size though!
Very nice camera. Not an ugly duckling but a miniature swan.
Regards - John
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Post by kamera on Sept 26, 2006 18:45:48 GMT -5
I really wish you guys would quit showing interesting and unique cameras that I have never seen or even heard of before!!!
Have not been on Ebay for probably 4-5 months now as I only had one remaining spot in display cases for a camera...and that would be another Argus of sorts.
However, Meijers finally got back in stock a Barister case. None of the stores have been carrying them lately. It is only a 3 shelf rather than their previous 4 shelf, but it will do...yes-siree it will!!
Now I will be back on Ebay looking for some unusual finds.
Fun...Fun!!
Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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