Difference between revisions of "Arnold"
(stub; owes a great deal to McKeown, but there are also refs to examples at Westlicht.) |
(+a picture from the pool, a reference to it in the text, noted Gee Flex (alt name of the first 4x4 camera). -{stub}) |
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− | {{ | + | <div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 15px 15px;"> |
− | '''Karl Arnold''' was a camera-maker in Marienberg, Germany. Karl Arnold founded the company in the late 19th century, but the best-known products are several cameras from the 1930s called '''Karma-Flex''' (from '''K'''arl '''A'''rnold '''MAR'''ienberg).<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p76-7.</ref> These are | + | {{Flickr_image |
+ | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayfish/7068986897/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
+ | |image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7068986897_e51e28f2da_z.jpg | ||
+ | |image_align= | ||
+ | |image_text= Karma-Flex 6x6 model 2 | ||
+ | |image_by= jayfish | ||
+ | |image_rights= with permission | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | </div> | ||
+ | '''Karl Arnold''' was a camera-maker in Marienberg, Germany. Karl Arnold founded the company in the late 19th century, but the best-known products are several cameras from the 1930s called '''Karma-Flex''' (from '''K'''arl '''A'''rnold '''MAR'''ienberg).<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p76-7.</ref> These are variously true or pseudo-[[TLR|twin-lens reflex]] cameras of unusual design, and include one [[SLR]]. | ||
==Karma-Flex 4x4== | ==Karma-Flex 4x4== | ||
The first Karma-Flex cameras are for [[127 film]], and were made from about 1932. The front of the camera body is a square box with the lens (or ''lenses'') on the front. The film is wound horizontally across the camera body, giving it a widened film compartment at the back. | The first Karma-Flex cameras are for [[127 film]], and were made from about 1932. The front of the camera body is a square box with the lens (or ''lenses'') on the front. The film is wound horizontally across the camera body, giving it a widened film compartment at the back. | ||
− | '''Model 1''' is an SLR, with a folding focusing hood on the top (this does not allow for use as a 'sports' frame-finder). It has a metal guillotine shutter with speeds 1/25 - 1/100 second, and either a [[Laack]] Regulyt or [[Ludwig]] Vidar lens. '''Model 2''' is very different; it is a pseudo-TLR, built in the same body; the (unidentified) viewing and taking lenses are close together and small (f/11), with fixed focus.<ref name=McK></ref><ref name=W442>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=260901&_ssl=off#260901 Karma-Flex 4x4 model 2] (pseudo-TLR) offered at the [https://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=246558&acat=246558&lang=3 May 2012 | + | The '''Karma-Flex Model 1''' (also sold as the '''Gee Flex'''<ref name=McK></ref>) is an SLR, with a folding focusing hood on the top (this does not allow for use as a 'sports' frame-finder). It has a metal guillotine shutter with speeds 1/25 - 1/100 second, and either a [[Laack]] Regulyt or [[Ludwig]] Vidar lens. '''Model 2''' is very different; it is a pseudo-TLR, built in the same body; the (unidentified) viewing and taking lenses are close together and small (f/11), with fixed focus.<ref name=McK></ref><ref name=W442>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=260901&_ssl=off#260901 Karma-Flex 4x4 model 2] (pseudo-TLR) offered at the [https://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=246558&acat=246558&lang=3 May 2012 Westlicht Photographica Auction] in Vienna.</ref> It has a simple 'I' and 'B' shutter and three fixed apertures. |
There are ''three'' [[red window]]s on the back of the camera; this is presumably to allow for film numbered only 1-8. | There are ''three'' [[red window]]s on the back of the camera; this is presumably to allow for film numbered only 1-8. | ||
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The first '''Karma-Flex 6x6 cm''' camera, from 1933, is a TLR of comparatively normal design, for [[120 film]] wound vertically through the camera. It has Ludwig viewing and taking lenses, their focus linked with a metal rod, and a focal-plane shutter with speeds 1/25 - 1/500 second, plus 'B'.<ref name=McK></ref> This camera again has three red windows. | The first '''Karma-Flex 6x6 cm''' camera, from 1933, is a TLR of comparatively normal design, for [[120 film]] wound vertically through the camera. It has Ludwig viewing and taking lenses, their focus linked with a metal rod, and a focal-plane shutter with speeds 1/25 - 1/500 second, plus 'B'.<ref name=McK></ref> This camera again has three red windows. | ||
− | A later model (though McKeown calls it '''Model 1'''; a very similar camera was sold as the '''Karma-Lux''') is a pseudo-TLR, little more than a box camera with an elaborate viewfinder (this can be used as a waist-level or eye-level optical finder). The camera has an unidentified f/7.7 lens, and a simple shutter with speeds 1/15 and 1/50 second, plus 'B'.<ref name=McK></ref> '''Model 2''' is a true TLR. It has Ludwig 75 mm f/3.5 Victar viewing and taking lenses, their focus linked with a rod. The viewing lens forms the front of a viewfinder mounted on the top of a camera body | + | A later model (though McKeown calls it '''Model 1'''; a very similar camera was sold as the '''Karma-Lux''') is a pseudo-TLR, little more than a box camera with an elaborate viewfinder (this can be used as a waist-level or eye-level optical finder). The camera has an unidentified f/7.7 lens, and a simple shutter with speeds 1/15 and 1/50 second, plus 'B'.<ref name=McK></ref> '''Model 2''', pictured here, is a true TLR. It has Ludwig 75 mm f/3.5 Victar viewing and taking lenses, their focus linked with a rod. The viewing lens forms the front of a viewfinder mounted on the top of a camera body (not folding into the body).<ref name=W662>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=26681&_ssl=off#26681 Karma-Flex 6x6 model 2] sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=25200&acat=25200&lang=3 November 2004 Westlicht auction].</ref> The body is very like that of the 4x4 cm cameras, with the film wound horizontally. The camera has a focal-plane shutter (armed with the large knob on the right side of the camera body) with speeds - 1/500 second, plus 'B'. |
==Karma-Sport== | ==Karma-Sport== |
Revision as of 18:51, 13 April 2012
Karma-Flex 6x6 model 2 image by jayfish (Image rights) |
Karl Arnold was a camera-maker in Marienberg, Germany. Karl Arnold founded the company in the late 19th century, but the best-known products are several cameras from the 1930s called Karma-Flex (from Karl Arnold MARienberg).[1] These are variously true or pseudo-twin-lens reflex cameras of unusual design, and include one SLR.
Karma-Flex 4x4
The first Karma-Flex cameras are for 127 film, and were made from about 1932. The front of the camera body is a square box with the lens (or lenses) on the front. The film is wound horizontally across the camera body, giving it a widened film compartment at the back.
The Karma-Flex Model 1 (also sold as the Gee Flex[1]) is an SLR, with a folding focusing hood on the top (this does not allow for use as a 'sports' frame-finder). It has a metal guillotine shutter with speeds 1/25 - 1/100 second, and either a Laack Regulyt or Ludwig Vidar lens. Model 2 is very different; it is a pseudo-TLR, built in the same body; the (unidentified) viewing and taking lenses are close together and small (f/11), with fixed focus.[1][2] It has a simple 'I' and 'B' shutter and three fixed apertures.
There are three red windows on the back of the camera; this is presumably to allow for film numbered only 1-8.
Karma-Flex 6x6
The first Karma-Flex 6x6 cm camera, from 1933, is a TLR of comparatively normal design, for 120 film wound vertically through the camera. It has Ludwig viewing and taking lenses, their focus linked with a metal rod, and a focal-plane shutter with speeds 1/25 - 1/500 second, plus 'B'.[1] This camera again has three red windows.
A later model (though McKeown calls it Model 1; a very similar camera was sold as the Karma-Lux) is a pseudo-TLR, little more than a box camera with an elaborate viewfinder (this can be used as a waist-level or eye-level optical finder). The camera has an unidentified f/7.7 lens, and a simple shutter with speeds 1/15 and 1/50 second, plus 'B'.[1] Model 2, pictured here, is a true TLR. It has Ludwig 75 mm f/3.5 Victar viewing and taking lenses, their focus linked with a rod. The viewing lens forms the front of a viewfinder mounted on the top of a camera body (not folding into the body).[3] The body is very like that of the 4x4 cm cameras, with the film wound horizontally. The camera has a focal-plane shutter (armed with the large knob on the right side of the camera body) with speeds - 1/500 second, plus 'B'.
Karma-Sport
The Karma-Sport from about 1935 is a development from the Karma-Flex 6x6 model 2; the focusing viewfinder is replaced with a reverse-Galilean viewfinder, making the camera much more compact.[4] An uncoupled rangefinder is also mounted on the top plate. The camera still has a focal-plane shutter. The lens is either a Ludwig Victar, Laack Dialytar or Meyer Trioplan.[1] The camera has a single red window and frame numbers around the winding knob (so the window is probably used only to set the film at frame 1).
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p76-7.
- ↑ Karma-Flex 4x4 model 2 (pseudo-TLR) offered at the May 2012 Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
- ↑ Karma-Flex 6x6 model 2 sold at the November 2004 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ Karma-Sport with a 7.5 cm f/3.5 Trioplan, sold at the [http://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=54425&acat=54425&lang=3 May 2006 Westlicht auction.