AkArette
AkArette II image by Alf Sigaro |
The AkArette is a 35mm viewfinder camera with interchangeable lenses, made by Apparate & Kamerabau in Germany. The viewfinder was switchable betwee 50 and 75mm focal lengths.
- The Akarette made 24x32mm images and was made in 1947.
- The Akarette 0 was produced in 1949.
- The Akarette I, 1948-1950, takes standard 24x36mm frames.
- Fitted with an unmarked shutter, B, 1/25–1/200. The AKArette I shows two viewfinder windows, one for the 50mm lens at the left and a blue-tinted viewfinder window for the 75mm lens at right.
- The Akarette II dates from 1950; possibly until 1954.[1]
- Prontor-S leaf shutter B, 1-1/300s. Interesting detail: the shutter is part of the camera, set just behind the bayonet mount. Most leaf shutters are part of the objective, set between the lenses. The AKArette II possesses a switchable viewfinder for 50mm and 75mm lenses, which is operated by a lever or a knob (depending on the version). Using one viewfinder automatically obscures the other one.
Lenses
Available lenses include:
- ISCO Göttingen color Isconar 50/2.8
- Schneider Kreuznach Radionar 50/3.5
- Schneider Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 75/3.8
- Schneider Kreuznach Xenagon 35/3.5
- Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 45/2.8,
- Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 45/3.5
- Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 50/3.5
The lenses can be used on both the AKArette and on the AKArette II. Note: there's no viewfinder for the 35mm lens.
- ↑ Dates from McKeown, but the McKeowns give only 1950 for II; Alf Sigaro gives 1950-54.