Audax
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| P&B Audax image by OZBOX (Image rights) |
The Audax is a metal-bodied folding camera made in Italy in the late 1930s-40s by P&B of Turin[1]. It takes 2¼x3¼-inch exposures on 120 film. A vintage advertisement suggests some were exported to Australia.[2] Danilo Cecchi confirms that P&B were in Turin, and suggests they were active before and during the War; he refers to P&B's 'high-sounding' model names suitable for the dictatorship; Audax, Impero and Frecchia (roughly Daring, Empire, and Arrow).[3] No examples of the Impero or Frecchia have been seen.
The Audax has an Anastar lens with front-element focusing down to 1.5 metre, and a shutter with three instantaneous speeds, 1/25 - 1/100, plus 'B' and 'T'. This has a release plunger on the camera body, and an attachment for a cable release on the shutter. There are ⅜-inch tripod bushes on the camera body (for horizontal pictures) and on the front (for vertical). There is also a folding 'foot' on the front door, which unusually folds sideways. There is a folding frame finder on the body.
