Lorenz Nacht Kamera
|
| Clarissa Luxus Nacht-Kamera + Plasmat 9cm f2 (1929) image by Ur Cameras (Image rights) |
The Nacht Kamera is a straightforward copy of Ernemann's Ermanox, made by Ernst Lorenz of Berlin in about 1926; a hand-held camera with a large-aperture lens of portrait length, and a focal plane shutter, designed to allow photography in poor light; both cameras' names refer to night-time.
The rear part of the camera is a rectangular, wooden box, housing the focal-plane shutter. On the front, the lens, a Meyer 9 cm Plasmat (the engravings acknowledge Paul Rudolph's ownership of the patent for the lens) is mounted on a lens-tube of length roughly equal to the body's depth. It has helical focusing. There is a plate on top of the lens-tube, giving the shutter settings to achieve each speed.
As with most hand-held plate cameras, it is quite possible to use the camera with a ground-glass screen, but it is designed for more rapid use, with a folding Newton viewfinder on the top.
Very few examples have been seen. One, with black leather covering and a 9 cm f/2 Plasmat, was sold at Westlicht.[1] Another, with a 9 cm f/1.5 Plasmat, tropical leather covering and unpainted brass fittings, has been seen.[2]
Notes
- ↑ Nacht Kamera with black leather, sold at the first Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 15 November 2002; the same camera was offered for sale again at the sixth Westlicht auction, on 6 November 2004.
- ↑ Offered for sale in August 2013 on the Glasgow Craigslist.
