Another Altissa Altix, an Altix IV

[Stephen]

Arrived from ebay, from an Italian seller, an Altissa Altix IV with fixed lens, I will check the model, It could be a III.

Meyer-Optik 50mm F2.9 coated Trioplan Lens in good condition, and the shutter works. The rating by the seller of EXC + is highly debatable, some plating has gone on the shutter. The speed markings around the shutter have gone in ordinary light, but show in flash! They will need re-engraving, and re-plate to restore.

Apart from that little else wrong apart from very dirty condition. Some loose leather, the back is not marked made in Germany, indicating an early date as does the engraved name on the front. Made about 1952 I suspect, but I will check. Clean up and a test film this weekend.

Stephen.

[Stephen]

According to the Altissa Musuem site, it is a Altix IV Version 2 - Type D, and dates from 1952. Lots of minor variants to details, most were marked for export as Made in Germany, or USSR Occupied Germany, this one was for the domestic German market.

Stephen

[Stephen]

Removed most of the ingrained dirt, but the shutter speed dial is going to be a problem, it has a prismatic chrome finish, with acid paint printed on for the figures, and the remains are very faint, far more so in real light than in flash. I think the ring will have to come off and be engraved and nickel plated.

Shutter speeds, 1 sec to 1/250th, are spot on, and are quite smooth and quiet. The flash sync works etc. Unusually there is a dual release, so that the shutter can be fired without winding on for deliberate multi exposures. It is a semi recessed button in the shutter rim. The Vebur Shutters seems a reliable type generally.

Minor scratches on the front glass, no haze or fungus. The viewfinder is tiny but clear and bright.

The advert shows the Altix V and the accessory viewfinder, which also fitted the IV. They also made an own brand rangefinder for all the models till one was incorporated on the last modernised Altissa models.

[hansz]

Hi Stephen, nice example.
Notice the red-V for a coated lens (in Altix terms) and the 1-in-triangle, making it a Quality-1 DDR product.
Hans

[Stephen]

The leather on the back also has the 1-in-triangle impressed into the back as well, but no "Made in Germany" on the back door, just the Dresden building mark. It does have a body number, which early examples did not, No 2566886.
Meyer Optic were not bad lenses, nowhere near Zeiss, just built to a price level, but some of the Telephoto's were excellent in performance.

Stephen

[Stephen]

Now I just need an early Altissa Altix 24x24mm Robot format example..........

Stephen.

[Stephen]

A test with ground glass and a cut film on a test target shows the lens is in fine condition, not bad for 60 years or so. I'll try some Fuji Negative over the Dickens Festival Weekend at Rochester (UK). Some minor cleaning marks on the front may reduce contrast, so doing a new aluminium lens hood to fit, made in the lathe. The threaded front has two dings to remove as well, so it will be a push on fit anyway.

I think the shutter speed engraving may be solved by making a very thin stainless steel rim to fit the tapered front ring, have it engraved, and then glue it to the existing front, it would barely show as a replacement. The rim would be about 10 thou thick, to allow 3 to 4 thou engraving, to take black paint.

Stephen.