Difference between revisions of "Arca Swiss Reflex"
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| − | '''Arca Swiss Reflex''' cameras are medium- and large-format SLR cameras, made by [[Arca Swiss]] from about 1960 until some time in the '70s. They exist in two sizes, for 2¼x3¼-inch (6x9cm) and for 4x5-inch film. The body of the camera is a metal box containing the mirror and reflex viewing screen, and ''in some cameras'' a [[focal-plane shutter]]; this seems to have been replaced with an electrically-activated leaf shutter in the lens at some time.<ref name=WPcat68>[https://archive.org/details/willoughby-peerless-photographic-catalog-1968/page/38/mode/1up?q=%22Arca+Swiss+Reflex%22 Willoughby Peerless Photographic catalogue, 1968], p38. showing monorail and non-monorail models, none of which appear to have the FP shutter. The cable attachment for the electrically-activated lens shutter is visible in the picture of the RH model, and it is described as having speeds 1 - 1/400 second; the FP shutter is not mentioned for any of the cameras, and its speed-adjustment knob is not visible on the side of either camera. Archived at [https://archive.org/ Internet Archive].</ref><ref name=NR>Norman Rothschild, ''Making Slide Duplicates, Titles and Filmstrips'' (1973) states that [[Makiflex]] uses an FP shutter, but the Arca Swiss Reflex uses a lens shutter. [https://archive.org/details/makingslidedupli0000roth/page/10/mode/2up Some availability] ('borrowing' or very limited preview) at Internet Archive.</ref> | + | '''Arca Swiss Reflex''' cameras are medium- and large-format SLR cameras, made by Gebrüder Oschwald (later renamed [[Arca Swiss]]) from about 1960 until some time in the '70s. They exist in two sizes, for 2¼x3¼-inch (6x9cm) and for 4x5-inch film. The body of the camera is a metal box containing the mirror and reflex viewing screen, and ''in some cameras'' a [[focal-plane shutter]]; this seems to have been replaced with an electrically-activated leaf shutter in the lens at some time.<ref name=WPcat68>[https://archive.org/details/willoughby-peerless-photographic-catalog-1968/page/38/mode/1up?q=%22Arca+Swiss+Reflex%22 Willoughby Peerless Photographic catalogue, 1968], p38. showing monorail and non-monorail models, none of which appear to have the FP shutter. The cable attachment for the electrically-activated lens shutter is visible in the picture of the RH model, and it is described as having speeds 1 - 1/400 second; the FP shutter is not mentioned for any of the cameras, and its speed-adjustment knob is not visible on the side of either camera. Archived at [https://archive.org/ Internet Archive].</ref><ref name=NR>Norman Rothschild, ''Making Slide Duplicates, Titles and Filmstrips'' (1973) states that [[Makiflex]] uses an FP shutter, but the Arca Swiss Reflex uses a lens shutter. [https://archive.org/details/makingslidedupli0000roth/page/10/mode/2up Some availability] ('borrowing' or very limited preview) at Internet Archive.</ref> |
In most examples seen, the rear body and the front standard are mounted separately on a substantial monorail, so the camera is a hybrid between a box-form SLR and a monorail camera. In this it resembles the Plaubel [[Pecoflex]], except that the mounting of the rear body allows some movements (apparently tilt, swing and rise), whereas the Pecoflex has movements only on the front standard. | In most examples seen, the rear body and the front standard are mounted separately on a substantial monorail, so the camera is a hybrid between a box-form SLR and a monorail camera. In this it resembles the Plaubel [[Pecoflex]], except that the mounting of the rear body allows some movements (apparently tilt, swing and rise), whereas the Pecoflex has movements only on the front standard. | ||
Revision as of 21:29, 19 March 2024
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| Diagram from Swiss Patent 387436 Note the focusing screen, angled slightly backward. (Image rights) |
Arca Swiss Reflex cameras are medium- and large-format SLR cameras, made by Gebrüder Oschwald (later renamed Arca Swiss) from about 1960 until some time in the '70s. They exist in two sizes, for 2¼x3¼-inch (6x9cm) and for 4x5-inch film. The body of the camera is a metal box containing the mirror and reflex viewing screen, and in some cameras a focal-plane shutter; this seems to have been replaced with an electrically-activated leaf shutter in the lens at some time.[1][2]
In most examples seen, the rear body and the front standard are mounted separately on a substantial monorail, so the camera is a hybrid between a box-form SLR and a monorail camera. In this it resembles the Plaubel Pecoflex, except that the mounting of the rear body allows some movements (apparently tilt, swing and rise), whereas the Pecoflex has movements only on the front standard.
Not all examples are mounted on a monorail, however. At least in later cameras this appears to have been an option. A US dealer's catalogue of 1968 shows four models: 'ORB-23' and 'ORB-45' are the 6x9cm and 4x5-inch cameras, on a monorail; 'RH-23' and 'RH-45' are the cameras without.[1] Without the monorail, the camera still has the rear body mounted in a yoke allowing vertical travel, and the front is racked out with a focusing knob on the right, just in front of the body (and the camera operates just like a Makiflex, instead of a Pecoflex).
Relevant patents
All at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office:
- Swiss Patent 387436 Photographische Spiegelreflexkamera (Reflex camera) filed July 1960 and granted January 1965 to Max Oschwald and Gebrüder Oschwald, describing the overall design of the camera. The patent states that the camera may have a focal-plane shutter; it also allows for the reflex housing being detachable from the rear of the bellows, allowing the use of a conventional view-camera back (and conversely allows for the production of a reflex housing as an accessory for existing monorail cameras).
Examples
- 4x5-inch Reflex monorail camera, focal-plane shutter with speeds 1/10 - 1/500 second, with 13.5cm f/4.5 and 21cm f/4.5 Congo lenses and many accessories: three different bellows, alternate/extension rails, a sliding back, roll-film back, magnifying finder hood and compendium hood. Body in pale-green hammer-finish paint, and with red bellows. Sold at LP Foto Auktioner in April 2018.
- 6x9cm Reflex without monorail, focal-plane shutter again 1/10 - 1/500 second. Later style with black paint and leatherette. Cable-socket on the base for electric shutter. Sold by LP Foto Auktioner in April 2013.
- 4x5-inch Reflex without monorail, dated c1965 by the auctioneer, sold at the 9th Westlicht Auction, in May 2006.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Willoughby Peerless Photographic catalogue, 1968, p38. showing monorail and non-monorail models, none of which appear to have the FP shutter. The cable attachment for the electrically-activated lens shutter is visible in the picture of the RH model, and it is described as having speeds 1 - 1/400 second; the FP shutter is not mentioned for any of the cameras, and its speed-adjustment knob is not visible on the side of either camera. Archived at Internet Archive.
- ↑ Norman Rothschild, Making Slide Duplicates, Titles and Filmstrips (1973) states that Makiflex uses an FP shutter, but the Arca Swiss Reflex uses a lens shutter. Some availability ('borrowing' or very limited preview) at Internet Archive.
