Difference between revisions of "Mentor Reflex"
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| − | The '''Mentor Reflex''' is a box-form [[single lens reflex]] camera made by [[Goltz & Breutmann]]. Their first SLR was simply called the '''Spiegel-Reflex-Kamera''', and made in about 1898<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}}, p659.</ref>, but is the precursor of the Mentor Reflex of 1905 onward. The camera was redesigned several times: McKeown lists versions of 1905, 1907, 1911, 1914 and 1926.<ref name=McK/> All of these are wooden-bodied, box-form SLR cameras, with the lens-board mounted at the front of a bellows with rack-and-pinion focusing. The board allows front rise. The camera has a ground-glass focusing screen at the top of the body, with a folding leather hood. A ground-glass screen can also be fitted at the back, using the camera as a view camera. The camera has a [[focal plane shutter]], which might have speeds 1/8-1/1300 second. | + | The '''Mentor Reflex''' is a box-form [[single lens reflex]] camera made by [[Goltz & Breutmann]]. Their first SLR was simply called the '''Spiegel-Reflex-Kamera''', and made in about 1898<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}}, p659.</ref>, but is the precursor of the Mentor Reflex of 1905 onward. The camera was redesigned several times: McKeown lists versions of 1905, 1907, 1911, 1914 and 1926.<ref name=McK/><ref>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=102690&_ssl=off#102690 9x12 Mentor Reflex], 1914 model, with 18 cm f/4.5 Tessar and rotating back, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=94203&acat=94203&lang=3 November 2007 Westlicht auction].</ref> All of these are wooden-bodied, box-form SLR cameras, with the lens-board mounted at the front of a bellows with rack-and-pinion focusing. The board allows front rise. The camera has a ground-glass focusing screen at the top of the body, with a folding leather hood. A ground-glass screen can also be fitted at the back, using the camera as a view camera. The camera has a [[focal plane shutter]], which might have speeds 1/8-1/1300 second. |
| − | The name is also applied to the '''Mentor ''Studio'' Reflex''' (strictly a different model, with more front camera-movements), made from 1927 until the 1950s (and again redesigned more than once), and may perhaps also refer to the '''Mentor ''Folding'' Reflex''' (Klapp-Reflex) with a more compact, collapsing body, and '''Mentor Sport-Reflex''' (with a wire-frame finder and helical (not bellows) focusing, for speed of use). Stereo models were made, and some of the cameras were available in tropical materials (to better resist humidity and insect attack). | + | The name is also applied to the '''Mentor ''Studio'' Reflex'''<ref name=MSR34>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=158808&_ssl=off#158808 9x12 cm Mentor Studio Reflex], 1934 model, with 210 mm f/3.5 Meyer Trioplan and shutter to 1/600 second, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=148876&acat=148876&lang=3 May 2009 Westlicht auction].</ref> (strictly a different model, with more front camera-movements), made from 1927 until the 1950s (and again redesigned more than once), and may perhaps also refer to the '''Mentor ''Folding'' Reflex''' (Klapp-Reflex)<ref>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=163018&_ssl=off#163018 6.5x9 cm Mentor Klapp-Reflex] with 12 cm f/2.7 Tessar (this lens required a special, deeper camera body than the standard f/4.5 Tessar), sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=148875&acat=148875&offset=1&lang=3 May 2009 Westlicht auction].</ref> with a more compact, collapsing body, and '''Mentor ''Sport''-Reflex''' (with a wire-frame finder and helical (not bellows) focusing, for speed of use). Stereo models were made,<ref>[https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=18307&_ssl=off#18307 6x13 cm Mentor Stereo Reflex], about 1920, with 9 cm f/4,5 Tessar lenses, sold at the [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=17326&acat=17326&lang=3 May 2003 Westlicht auction].</ref> and some of the cameras were available in tropical materials (to better resist humidity and insect attack).<ref>[http://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=14988&_ssl=off#14988 6.5x9 cm Mentor Tropical Reflex], dated by the auctioneer to about 1918, with 18 cm f/4.5 Tessar, sold at the [http://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=13887&acat=13887&lang=3 November 2002 Westlicht auction].</ref> |
The Mentor Reflex was available for several [[plate sizes]] (and later, sizes of cut film): 6x9, 6.5x9, 9x9, 9x12, 10x15 and 13x18 cm. | The Mentor Reflex was available for several [[plate sizes]] (and later, sizes of cut film): 6x9, 6.5x9, 9x9, 9x12, 10x15 and 13x18 cm. | ||
<!-- (Commenting this out: I can find no evidence for it:) A two-shutter variant was available. --> | <!-- (Commenting this out: I can find no evidence for it:) A two-shutter variant was available. --> | ||
| − | Many different lenses were supplied with the cameras over the long period they were made. Most early cameras have double anastigmats, including lenses by Meyer and Goerz. Later cameras often have [[Tessar]]s. | + | Many different lenses were supplied with the cameras over the long period they were made. Most early cameras have double anastigmats, including lenses by [[Meyer]] and [[Goerz]]. Later cameras often have [[Tessar]]s. |
Revision as of 18:03, 14 June 2012
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| 6x9 Mentor Studio Reflex image by Klara Keler (Image rights) |
The Mentor Reflex is a box-form single lens reflex camera made by Goltz & Breutmann. Their first SLR was simply called the Spiegel-Reflex-Kamera, and made in about 1898[1], but is the precursor of the Mentor Reflex of 1905 onward. The camera was redesigned several times: McKeown lists versions of 1905, 1907, 1911, 1914 and 1926.[1][2] All of these are wooden-bodied, box-form SLR cameras, with the lens-board mounted at the front of a bellows with rack-and-pinion focusing. The board allows front rise. The camera has a ground-glass focusing screen at the top of the body, with a folding leather hood. A ground-glass screen can also be fitted at the back, using the camera as a view camera. The camera has a focal plane shutter, which might have speeds 1/8-1/1300 second.
The name is also applied to the Mentor Studio Reflex[3] (strictly a different model, with more front camera-movements), made from 1927 until the 1950s (and again redesigned more than once), and may perhaps also refer to the Mentor Folding Reflex (Klapp-Reflex)[4] with a more compact, collapsing body, and Mentor Sport-Reflex (with a wire-frame finder and helical (not bellows) focusing, for speed of use). Stereo models were made,[5] and some of the cameras were available in tropical materials (to better resist humidity and insect attack).[6]
The Mentor Reflex was available for several plate sizes (and later, sizes of cut film): 6x9, 6.5x9, 9x9, 9x12, 10x15 and 13x18 cm.
Many different lenses were supplied with the cameras over the long period they were made. Most early cameras have double anastigmats, including lenses by Meyer and Goerz. Later cameras often have Tessars.
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)., p659.
- ↑ 9x12 Mentor Reflex, 1914 model, with 18 cm f/4.5 Tessar and rotating back, sold at the November 2007 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ 9x12 cm Mentor Studio Reflex, 1934 model, with 210 mm f/3.5 Meyer Trioplan and shutter to 1/600 second, sold at the May 2009 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ 6.5x9 cm Mentor Klapp-Reflex with 12 cm f/2.7 Tessar (this lens required a special, deeper camera body than the standard f/4.5 Tessar), sold at the May 2009 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ 6x13 cm Mentor Stereo Reflex, about 1920, with 9 cm f/4,5 Tessar lenses, sold at the May 2003 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ 6.5x9 cm Mentor Tropical Reflex, dated by the auctioneer to about 1918, with 18 cm f/4.5 Tessar, sold at the November 2002 Westlicht auction.
