Difference between revisions of "Mars 99"
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The camera illustrated here differs significantly from an example sold at Westlicht.<ref name=W>[http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=2_3&inO=749 Mars 99], serial no. 897, sold at the [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=2_3 second/third Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 23 May 2003.</ref> Most importantly, the camera sold at Westlicht has a plate-changing mechanism, with a lever on the front, between the two viewfinders, and a plate-counter dial on the top (that is, it is a falling-plate [[magazine camera]]). The one shown here lacks the plate-changing lever, and appears to have a viewing hood at the back (if there is a ground-glass screen, there can hardly be a magazine of plates). Also, the example illustrated here shows viewfinders with hoods, and thus probably of the [[Viewfinder#Watson finder|Watson type]] with a small ground glass; however, the camera sold at Westlicht clearly has [[brilliant finder]]s. The lens and shutter unit appears the same on both cameras, however. | The camera illustrated here differs significantly from an example sold at Westlicht.<ref name=W>[http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=2_3&inO=749 Mars 99], serial no. 897, sold at the [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=2_3 second/third Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 23 May 2003.</ref> Most importantly, the camera sold at Westlicht has a plate-changing mechanism, with a lever on the front, between the two viewfinders, and a plate-counter dial on the top (that is, it is a falling-plate [[magazine camera]]). The one shown here lacks the plate-changing lever, and appears to have a viewing hood at the back (if there is a ground-glass screen, there can hardly be a magazine of plates). Also, the example illustrated here shows viewfinders with hoods, and thus probably of the [[Viewfinder#Watson finder|Watson type]] with a small ground glass; however, the camera sold at Westlicht clearly has [[brilliant finder]]s. The lens and shutter unit appears the same on both cameras, however. | ||
− | The camera, if actually a magazine [[ | + | The camera, if actually a magazine [[detective camera]], is a successor to the earlier [[Mars Camera]], which has a rather more cumbersome plate-changing method, using a sliding wooden box on the outside of the body to move plates between the magazine and the exposing position. |
Revision as of 14:48, 4 October 2014
Illustration from a Wünsche catalogue. scanned by Uwe Kulick (Image rights) |
The Mars 99 is a camera for 9x12 plates, made in about 1895[1] by Wünsche of Dresden. It is wooden-bodied, with black leather covering. It has a 150 mm f/12 Aplanat lens (the same design as a Rapid Rectilinear), and a rotary shutter.[1]
The camera illustrated here differs significantly from an example sold at Westlicht.[2] Most importantly, the camera sold at Westlicht has a plate-changing mechanism, with a lever on the front, between the two viewfinders, and a plate-counter dial on the top (that is, it is a falling-plate magazine camera). The one shown here lacks the plate-changing lever, and appears to have a viewing hood at the back (if there is a ground-glass screen, there can hardly be a magazine of plates). Also, the example illustrated here shows viewfinders with hoods, and thus probably of the Watson type with a small ground glass; however, the camera sold at Westlicht clearly has brilliant finders. The lens and shutter unit appears the same on both cameras, however.
The camera, if actually a magazine detective camera, is a successor to the earlier Mars Camera, which has a rather more cumbersome plate-changing method, using a sliding wooden box on the outside of the body to move plates between the magazine and the exposing position.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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). p1018.
- ↑ Mars 99, serial no. 897, sold at the second/third Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 23 May 2003.