Braun Gloria
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| Braun Gloria with f2.9 75mm Praxar Bayreuth image by Michele M. F. (Image rights) |
The Braun Gloria is a rangefinder medium format camera taking 12 square 6x6cm images on 120 film.
Contents |
History
It was manufactured by Braun at Nüremberg (Germany), since 1954.
Description
The Gloria is a rangefinder camera. The non-coupled rangefinder and the viewfinder are not combined, so that two different windows can be found in the rear part of the top cover. Focusing of the rangefinder is accomplished by means of turning a wheel located in the left part of the top cover.
The Gloria is not really a folding camera but a "tube" camera. This model has a steel tube instead of bellows, that pops out by pressing a small button located on the top cover, placing the lens and shutter assembly into position.
Two lenses that can be found mounted on the Braun Gloria, which differ only in the denomination:
- BAYREUTH Praxar 75mm f/2.9
- BAYREUTH Praxanar 75mm f/2.9
 Gloria top cover |
 Praxar and Praxanar |
Shutters mounted on the Braun Gloria were made by Gauthier, they can be either Prontor or Prontor-SVS, with top speed of 1/300, self-timer and flash sync.
The camera provides a double exposure prevention feature, DOF scale and ISO reminder.
The rangefinder, as said, is non-coupled and non-combined[1]: distance is measured with one of the rear windows of the top cover, the other for composing, and after focusing the distance is read from the top wheel opposite the advance wheel and transferred manually to the front element of the lens.
It is a well built camera that, even despite not being at level with other cameras such as the Super Isolette or the Super Ikonta, has a really good design and is capable of producing great results.
Notes
- ↑ One of the most striking things to new owners and newcomers is that the Gloria benefits from having a non-combined RF by having a bright viewfinder providing certain magnification that aids for focusing.
Links
In English:
- Flickr set by modern kōgaku: Gloria Braun photos of and with the camera
- Braun Gloria at Jurgen's Vintage Folding Cameras site
In Spanish:
- Braun Gloria at Historia de Bolsillo by J. Noir
