Arette
1959 Arette Super P with Color-Isconar 45mm f2.8 in Prontor SVS shutter, 1-1/300 & Light-Value System; accessory shoe on user's right image by AWCam (Image rights) |
The Arette IA is a 35mm viewfinder camera made in Germany by Apparate & Kamerabau, introduced in ca. 1956, and produced with many model variations until 1963. This is a cleanly-designed, well made camera featuring (among other combinations) an Isco-Gottingen Color-Isconar 45mm/f2.8 or Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 45mm/f2.8 lens in a Pronto or 9-speed Prontor-SVS shutter. Except on early models, where it is on the top plate, the advance lever is mounted on the base, along with the frame counter and a pull-out foot to steady the camera when standing on a flat surface. Rewinding is via a knob on the top plate, which retracts, and is released by a small catch. The shutter release is a rounded lever beside the lens, on the users right, and opposite this on the lens barrel is a cable release socket. Flash sync is provided via a PC socket, and an V-X-M switch giving self-timer or X/M sync.
Some examples of this camera have a central viewfinder, some have it on the users left - possibly a change made in 1957. In 1959, a brightline finder was added.
1957 Arette IA with Isco Westanar 1:2.8/45 lens, leftward shoe, central viewfinder & top-plate winder image by David Broglin (Image rights) |
Arette IBN with Color Isconar 1:2.8/45 lens, central accessory shoe & light meter image by David Broglin (Image rights) |
Base, with frame counter in centre image by AWCam (Image rights) |
Arette 1B image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights) |
Arette BN image by vincentnip (Image rights) |
Optina 1d (Arette 1d) image by Richard Skipp (Image rights) |
The Arette IA is a simple viewfinder; Arette IB has a light meter; the Arette IC added a coupled rangefinder, and the Arette ID (which became the Arette 1DN) has both meter and rangefinder.
The Arette A is a viewfinder with a 45mm f2.8 Arettar lens in a simpler Vario shutter (with no meter). The Arette BN has a meter. The Arette C has a rangefinder but no meter; the Arette DN has both.
Other variations of the A models include the P, Super P and Favorit [1].
The Arette W and BW models have interchangeable lenses, called the AKARELLE System consisting of 9 lenses as stated in the BW manual. The BW has a light meter, while the W does not. Neither have a rangefinder. The BW was renamed Optina BW for sale in Canada.
The 1959 Arette Automatic S has automatic exposure, with a Prontormat shutter and a Color-Westanar 45mm/f2.8 lens. The SE has a rangefinder added; the SR seems to be the same camera, but intended for the US market. The SLK is an S model, sold in the UK.
Notes
Links
- AkA cameras on Ken Lyndrup's site (archived)
- Arette IB PDF manual English - German at Mike Butkus's site
- Arette BW PDF manual at Mike Butkus's site
- Akio Arette BN PDF manual at Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
- Akio Arette P PDF manual at Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
- Akio Arette C / Dn PDF manual at Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
- Akio Arette IA SVS PDF manual at Butkus' OrphanCameras.com
- Arette Ib Camera Manual : Photo-Manuals.com