Zodel??

[diacirca]

Hi everyone, I'm very very new to photography and I was just wondering if I could have you guys' opinion on the Zodel 2MTL - I'm not fussed about whether it's worth anything or not as it's got sentimental value, but if anyone could tell me more about the history behind it I would be really interested to find out more about it. Also, I wanted to try and replace the battery but it's an MR44 and I can't find them anywhere. Does anyone know where I could find these batteries or a modern type that would work as a replacement??

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

[casualcollector]

Not sure without a photo but I believe it was imported and labeled buy a U.K. camera shop or chain. It was manufactured by Cosina of Japan. It is seen in the U.S. under the Argus and Vivitar labels.

[mickeyobe]

Zodel were mostly of German manufacture from 1926 to about 1951 and a Japanese camera in 1970, the 2MTL( re-badged Cosina Highlite ).
It was the house name for cameras imported by Wallace Heaton Ltd. of the UK.
They were mostly 6.5x9 cm folding plate cameras with some 6x9 cm, 9x12 cm and a 4.5x6 cm except the 1970 35mm and a few prior roll film cameras.
I think there were 8 different Zodels in all.
Values according to McKeown's, depending on model and condition, range up to $250 US. The 2MTL is valued at between $45 and $60 US.

Mickey

[Rachel]

Hi diacirca

for a replacement battery look here

www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_px675.htm

[dee]

The Zodel was contemporary with the 1972 Prinzflex STTL - both cameras made by Chinon and often work clunkily , but effectively many decades later . The cameras are virtually identical other than that the Prinzflex had a front mounted shutter dial .
I bought a black Prinzflex only to find that , unlike the Zodel , it was painted over chrome .
Wallace Heaton offered the Zodel , only in black , and Dixons , the Prinzflex in black or chrome .
I did not realise that they were sold outside the UK .
A good one could fetch about the same as Praktica