Difference between revisions of "Bencini"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
m (correcting Collection Appareils link)
m (updated history and added citation for name change dates)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
Bencini was an Italian camera manufacturer between 1937 and the late 1980s.
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/3246286829/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/3246286829/in/pool-camerawiki
Line 7: Line 8:
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
}}
 
}}
−
Founded by Antonio Bencini, in 1937 as I.C.A.F. in Milano (Italy), the company shortly changed its name to C.M.F. After WWII it was renamed again, to CMF Bencini, the name under which it became renowned for its characteristic rigid body cameras. But it made also [[folding]] cameras like the Argo [[rollfilm]] folder with Aplanatic F:10.5 lens in CMF A3 single-speed shutter.  Bencini made cameras for other brands such as [[Boots]] and Trifca.
+
==History==
 +
The company was founded with the name '''ICAF''' in 1937, in Milano, Italy by Antonio Bencini. ICAF manufactured the Roby 120 6x9 camera, the Gabry 127 4x6 camera, and the Delta 120 6x9 folding camera. Shortly before WWII, the company name was changed to '''CMF'''. During this period, the company introduced the Etan and Argo cameras but soon ceased producing cameras in order to manufacture airplane components for the war.<ref name="consonni">[http://www.mistermondo.com/styled-43/ Donald Consonni: Bencini History]</ref> In 1946 the name became '''C.M.F. Bencini''' Later, in the early 1950s, the name was changed again to '''Bencini S.p.a.'''.<ref>[http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Bencini/ Collectiblend: Bencini history]</ref>  The company continued designing and manufacturing cameras until the late 1984 when business problems led to an announcement that distribution of the company's product line would be taken over by Cafer Ltd. Cafer released a few more Bencini-branded products until shortly before Antonio Bencini's death, and then retired the Bencini and Comet brand names.<ref name="consonni" />
 +
 
 +
The Bencini name became associated with the company's characteristic rigid body cameras. But it made also [[folding]] cameras like the Argo [[rollfilm]] folder with Aplanatic F:10.5 lens in CMF A3 single-speed shutter.  Bencini made cameras for other brands such as [[Boots]] and Trifca.
 +
 
 +
A 1968 US trademark filing for the Bencini brand, lists this company information:
 +
 
 +
BENCINI S.P.A.
 +
VIA BONO CAIROLI, 34
 +
MILAN
 +
Italy
  
 
==cameras==
 
==cameras==

Revision as of 02:01, 10 April 2012

Bencini was an Italian camera manufacturer between 1937 and the late 1980s.

3246286829_cd62ccab5e_m.jpg
Bencini Comet 1, c1948
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

History

The company was founded with the name ICAF in 1937, in Milano, Italy by Antonio Bencini. ICAF manufactured the Roby 120 6x9 camera, the Gabry 127 4x6 camera, and the Delta 120 6x9 folding camera. Shortly before WWII, the company name was changed to CMF. During this period, the company introduced the Etan and Argo cameras but soon ceased producing cameras in order to manufacture airplane components for the war.[1] In 1946 the name became C.M.F. Bencini Later, in the early 1950s, the name was changed again to Bencini S.p.a..[2] The company continued designing and manufacturing cameras until the late 1984 when business problems led to an announcement that distribution of the company's product line would be taken over by Cafer Ltd. Cafer released a few more Bencini-branded products until shortly before Antonio Bencini's death, and then retired the Bencini and Comet brand names.[1]

The Bencini name became associated with the company's characteristic rigid body cameras. But it made also folding cameras like the Argo rollfilm folder with Aplanatic F:10.5 lens in CMF A3 single-speed shutter. Bencini made cameras for other brands such as Boots and Trifca.

A 1968 US trademark filing for the Bencini brand, lists this company information: 

BENCINI S.P.A.
VIA BONO CAIROLI, 34
MILAN
Italy

cameras

127 film

452699208_64513462f8_t.jpg
Comet S
117184027_6533d2515e_t.jpg
Relex

120 film

135593783_be5013a2d0_t.jpg
Koroll II

35mm film

2522187472_bff9b96319_s.jpg
NK 135

126 film

110 film

accessories

  • pistol grip with cable release[3]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Donald Consonni: Bencini History
  2. ↑ Collectiblend: Bencini history
  3. ↑ Bencini Universal pistol grip with cable release


Link

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Bencini&oldid=129702"