Bencini Comet S 127

[Stephen]

The first picture was the Ebay posting, the second photo was my own shot, same camera, and the third is from Berndt, which is a slightly different body version of the Comet S, they did fiddle with the design, all cast aluminium polished finish on the originals.

Stephen.

[Deleted]

Previously unknown in Russia comets appear annually in domestic auctions and enjoy success.
Beautiful camera.

[genazzano]

The Comet II: Lots of shiny metal and new leather, but I'm afraid not much else.

[lloydy]

The Comet is lovely, as is the Vivo tripod. I saw one in a box of old rubbish at a house clearance sale and bid £3 for it, and got it. The tripod is perfect, the large box of old plates and cups and other junk went in the nearest bin. It was my lucky day.

[genazzano]

I wish I had taken some pics of my camera when it arrived. Corroded, dirty, greasy, depressing. Leatherette was moldy and falling off. It hung over the bin for a moment before I decided to see what was beneath the dirt. Chrome that was so thick it was still bright and shiny. Recovered it with leather from my wife's old purse. Never loaded it but at least it is preserved for someone in the future. That's good enough for now.

[Stephen]

Am I detecting the thought that the Bencini might not have been the height of Italian Cameras design? It certainly is not A Rectaflex or Ducati, and was referred to in the photographic trade as good desk paperweights.......it was a make that the shop never bought for secondhand sale, unless in a box of assorted old cameras!... but I like the style!
Stephen

or via Babylon for your amusement...

Devo rilevare che la Bencini potrebbe non essere stato all'altezza del design italiano le telecamere? Non è certo UNA Rectaflex o Ducati, ed è stato denominato in commercio fotografico come bella scrivania fermacarte.......è stato un fare che il negozio mai comprato di seconda mano vendita, a meno che non in una scatola di vecchi cameras! assortiti... ma mi piace lo stile!

Stephen

[Stephen]

Don't take the postings too seriously, we English tend towards ironic comments! The Bencini cameras were successful after all, and "Boots the Chemist" chain in the UK marketed them for ages. I think the little 127 is the best of the bunch, it has a charm of it's own. ...and I can't afford Ducati!.....

Stephen

[philbirch]

I picked one up from the bargain basket at Real Camera for £3. The leather is peeling off. I took off the front and cleaned the glue off. I think it looks beautiful all shiny and naked. The back is painted black and has a plate over the film windows (riveted on) so the back will have to remain black. As yours does it works perfectly. I may put a length of 35mm film in it to try it but the focusing is jammed. Looks easy to get into though.

[philbirch]

I'm looking at the photo above of my Comet. It is a simple camera, one speed guillotine shutter, 2 apertures and simple front cell focusing. But the design is beautiful, the ornate moulding and the lovely shiny chromed aluminium is completely un-necessary. This is Italian styling at its best. Of course it's from Milano.

See my photo of the Letucini. the artist says she was inspired by the simple yet stylish lines of the 50's Bencinis.

[SidW]

The more I look at these, the more certain I am I got one from Boots for my last years at school around 1950, and possibly into National (=Military) service. At some time I graduated to another 16 on 127, or a 35mm, camera with a small bellows that folded out at the front.

[philbirch]

Yes Boots sourced cameras from Bencini through the 60's but not a 127 model, they sold the 'Boots Koroll II' a camera with a similar appearance to this. They would have sold the early Comets under Bencini's name in the 50's. The 'Comet' name stayed with the 1960's 126 cameras.

[Stephen]

I think that Sangsters imported the 127, they were sold by Chemist's shops and I think Woolworths.

[hannes]

Recently there was a Bencini Comet S from 1950 on eBay from an Austrian seller. Now it is sitting on my shelf.
It is an interesting looking simple small and heavy box camera.

Bencini Comet S

The chance that I will ever shoot a film in it is low.

Hannes