Braun Paxette

[Peltigera]

Another Braun Paxette this week.  Still not sure of the model - it looks like my Paxette I but with no extinction meter and with an uncoupled rangefinder.  It also has a removable lens - a Steinheil Cassarit.



I am finding it easier to use than my Paxette I as the shutter release is between two of the stanchions that hold the shutter housing in place.  Makes it much harder to hit by accident.

I have always been told not to try the shutter delay on old cameras in case it wrecks the shutter.  I found out it is good advice today.  Yes, I tried the delay and it does not work and nor did the shutter anymore until I spent a lot of time jiggling the shutter release and tapping the shutter blades.  One day I shall learn how to learn the easy way.

The rangefinder is pointless.  The adjusting wheel is too small and too close to the accessory shoe and the rangefinder spot in the viewfinder too faint.  Only plus is that it does not use a separate window to the viewfinder.  I shall stick to guessing my distances which has always worked very well.

[Peltigera]

With research, I think it is a Paxette IIM. It is a pity that Braun could not be bothered to put model names on their cameras.

Does anyone know about the Cassarit lens?  I can see no evidence of any coating but I thought coated lenses were the norm by the mid-1950s.

[Stephen]

The Steinheil Cassarit should indeed be coated, single coated blue bloom, and identifying an exact model for a Paxette is a dark art, they came in a long series of models, each with variations! Every combination of feature could be thrown in, there were at least three die-cast chassis, with both top and bottom hinged film pressure plates, with built in lenses, or interchangeable versions, with or without rangefinders, coupled or un-coupled, and with or without extinction meters. The tops come in at least four versions in nickel plated brass or die-cast plated metal.

Braun never liked not using up parts, a German optical industry habit, so new models merely shuffled existing parts, plus new components, add the fact that Braun used outside contractors a lot, and changed lens makers quite a bit along the production period, and Paxette cameras become a nightmare to date etc.

In working order they are excellent cameras, but they are now old, and need bit of care in use, clean optics on them will work fine, they used good makers. The most basic lens on Paxette was the Kata, the Cassarit was a better lens, a four element type against a three, I believe.
Stephen