Difference between revisions of "Luxia"
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(+ref to example of the Luxia I at Leitz, noted shutter change according to auctioneer.) |
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| − | The cameras are small and quite elegant. The camera's top, bottom and front plates can be in chrome- or gold-plated finish, with either black or coloured reptile leather elsewhere. | + | The cameras are small and quite elegant. The camera's top, bottom and front plates can be in chrome- or gold-plated finish, with either black or coloured reptile leather elsewhere.<ref name=LPA35>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/C.O.M.-Italy-Luxia-I/AI-35-37748 Luxia I] in chrome-and-black finish, sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-23/ 35th Leitz Photographica Auction], in November 2019</ref><ref name=W23>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/C.O.M.Italy-Luxia-II/AI-23-10804 Luxia II], chrome-and-black, sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-23/ 23rd Westlicht Auction], in May 2013.</ref> |
| − | The camera has a fixed, coated<ref name=M/> 27 mm f/2.9 Delmäk lens, with helical focusing down to 0.7 metre. | + | The camera has a fixed, coated<ref name=M/> 27 mm f/2.9 Delmäk lens, with helical focusing down to 0.7 metre. It stops down only to f/11.<ref name=M/> The shutter is in the lens, and has speeds 1/25 - 1/250 second, plus 'P' ('B' shutter). It is not synchronised for flash. There is a depth-of-field calculator on the bottom plate. On the top plate are the film advance knob, frame counter, and shutter release plunger. There is also a [[Viewfinder#telescopic_finders|reverse-Galilean viewfinder]]. |
| − | Film is loaded in special, compact cassettes, and passes from one cassette to a second (rather like the Agfa [[Rapid film]] system). Dario Mondonico states that each cassette is sufficient for just eighteen frames.<ref name=M/> The back of the camera is removed for loading | + | Film is loaded in special, compact cassettes, and passes from one cassette to a second (rather like the Agfa [[Rapid film]] system). Dario Mondonico states that each cassette is sufficient for just eighteen frames.<ref name=M/> The back of the camera is removed for loading.<ref name=W23/> The only obvious difference between the two models is the closure mechanism that fastens the back on, but the notes on the Luxia I seen at a Leitz auction suggest there was also a technical change to the shutter.<ref name=LPA35/> |
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Latest revision as of 11:08, 15 February 2024
The Luxia and Luxia II are half-frame cameras for 35 mm film, made in 1949 by Costruzioni Ottico Meccaniche Italiane (COMI) of Rome.[1] Dario Mondonico states that the camera was presented at the Milan Fair of that year, but was not a commercial success, and that COMI closed the following year.[2]
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| images by Foto Prisma (Image rights) |
The cameras are small and quite elegant. The camera's top, bottom and front plates can be in chrome- or gold-plated finish, with either black or coloured reptile leather elsewhere.[3][4]
The camera has a fixed, coated[2] 27 mm f/2.9 Delmäk lens, with helical focusing down to 0.7 metre. It stops down only to f/11.[2] The shutter is in the lens, and has speeds 1/25 - 1/250 second, plus 'P' ('B' shutter). It is not synchronised for flash. There is a depth-of-field calculator on the bottom plate. On the top plate are the film advance knob, frame counter, and shutter release plunger. There is also a reverse-Galilean viewfinder.
Film is loaded in special, compact cassettes, and passes from one cassette to a second (rather like the Agfa Rapid film system). Dario Mondonico states that each cassette is sufficient for just eighteen frames.[2] The back of the camera is removed for loading.[4] The only obvious difference between the two models is the closure mechanism that fastens the back on, but the notes on the Luxia I seen at a Leitz auction suggest there was also a technical change to the shutter.[3]
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| images by Foto Prisma (Image rights) |
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). p209.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Notes on COMI and the Luxia: text in Italian, with pictures of examples in several finishes, including gold-plate, and of film cassettes, and a box of Luxia-branded film, at Dario Mondonico's Mistermondo.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Luxia I in chrome-and-black finish, sold at the 35th Leitz Photographica Auction, in November 2019
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Luxia II, chrome-and-black, sold at the 23rd Westlicht Auction, in May 2013.
