Janua
The Janua is a Leica copy, made by San Giorgio in Genoa in about 1949.[1] It is a coupled-rangefinder camera for 24x36 mm pictures on 35 mm film. It has a focal-plane shutter with speeds 1 - 1/1000 second, plus 'B', all set with a single speed dial on the top housing.[2] The shutter is synchronised for flash, with a PC socket on the top, and a cold shoe. The viewfinder and rangefinder are combined in a single eyepiece. Below the viewfinder is an extinction lightmeter, and there is an exposure calculator dial on the back of the camera for interpretation of the meter reading. The film speed is set with a pointer under the rewind knob.
The film is advanced with a winding knob, with a frame counter arranged around the knob, like that on a Leica II. The rewind release is by the shutter release. The camera is loaded by removing the base, again like the Leica.
The standard lens is a collapsible, coated Essegi 5 cm f/3.5.
San Giorgio made various accessories for close-up, copying and photo-micrographic use.[2]
Notes
- ↑ 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). p867.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Janua serial no. 450195, with Essegi 5 cm f/3.5 lens and a kit of close-up and micrography accessories, offered at the May 2012 Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
