Difference between revisions of "Rocca 35"

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The '''Rocco 35''' is a [[35mm]] compact camera, built by [[Montanus Kamerafabrik]] in Solingen, West-Germany. It was released in 1958.
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkeymillions/3690682077/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3690682077_790c555852.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Montanus Rocca
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|image_by= monkeymillions
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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The '''Rocca 35''' is a [[35mm]] compact camera, built by [[Montanus|Montanus Kamerafabrik]] in Solingen, West Germany. It was released in 1958. The Rocca 35 had two main claims to fame: First was a rose tinted [[viewfinder]]; secondly, an early example of "one upmanship" in that you could buy the camera with an imitation [[light meter|meter]] (see illustration link), complete with honeycomb and dial. This could be changed at a later date for a Bewi "Automat" meter at a cost equivalent to 40% of the original price.  
  
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__TOC__
  
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== Specs ==
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The particularly well built and  specified Roccamatic was on a par with the Baldamatics of the period and very competitively priced. It also had similar luxury features such as a brightline finder that adjusted for [[parallax]].  
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The Rocca 35 has a fixed 45/2.8 Ennit or Ennagon lens, made by [[Enna]] of Muenich.  
 
  
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The Rocca 35 was introduced in 1959 and had two main claims to fame - a rose tinted viewfinder and an early example of "one upmanship" in that you could buy the camera with an imitation meter, complete with honeycombe and dial! This could be changed at a later date for a Bewi "Automat" meter at a cost equivalent to 40% of the original price.
+
Unfortunately, in the UK they did not have a very good agent in Amplion and they never got the advertising exposure of [[Balda]] (J.J. Silber), [[Franka]] ([[R. F. Hunter]]) or [[Paxette]] (Neville Brown).  
  
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The models were:
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There are very few Roccas advertised by camera shops during this period. In September 1960 the Roccamatic was being "remaindered" by Westminster Photographic (SLK List Price £45/17/6 - down to £33/15/0 and the LK down to £29/15/0 from £39/19/6) In an age of RRP (recommended retail prices imposed by the manufacturer) a discount only meant one thing - a run out sale. By 1961, Montanus they had vanished from the ''Amateur Photographer''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> annual Camera Guide.
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* [[Rocca 35 - Also rebadged as A Hanimex Duomatic - f3.5 Enna Ennagon lens - 3 Speed Vario shutter - exposure calculator]]
 
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* [[Rocca 35 Model 3 - f2.8 Enna Ennagon lens Prontor LX 5 LV speed shutter - 1/350 - 1/15 - exposure calculator]]
 
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* [[Rocca 35 Model 4m - f2.8 Ennagon lens Prontor LK with coupled meter]]
 
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* [[Rocca 35 Model 6 - This may have been later marketed as the Roccamatic - f2.8 Enna Ennit lens, Prontor  SLK 9 speed shutter (1/300 - 1sec) coupled meter & rangefinder]]
 
  
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== Links ==
 
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* See the [http://www.photohistorica.ch/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=92&osCsid=94f1c2793c5db23f25f89f40642888e9 manual] for the Rocca 35.
 
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* Sylvain Halgands [http://www.collection-appareils.com/appareils/html/rocca.php Rocca 35]
 
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----
 
  
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[[Category: 35mm viewfinder]]
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== Specifications ==
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[[Category: Germany]]
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{|class=floatright
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|
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/65444449@N04/5965703989/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5965703989_8925c94fd3.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Practical Photography'' advert July 1959
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|image_by= paulfromukcamera
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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|-
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|
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/65444449@N04/5966259768/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5966259768_4733cba30f.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Simulated [[selenium meter]] honeycomb & exposure calculator
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|image_by= paulfromukcamera
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|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
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|}
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All nine Rocca 35 models had a fixed 45mm f3.5 (models 2 and 2m only) or f2.8 three-element Ennagon or f2.8 four-element Ennit lens made by [[Enna]] of Munich.
 +
Conventional metal construction (not a hint of plastic!), brightline finder, rose tinted viewfinder, lever wind, double exposure prevention, [[shutter release|body release]] on front of camera and a film type indicator similar to the [[Retina]] models.
 +
 
 +
''Dimensions:'' Width:123mm Height: 90mm Depth: 67mm (Rocca 35 Model 2) 70mm (Roccamatic)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/65444449@N04/5966259884/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5966259884_5dec69eaaf.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Rocca 35 Model 2
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|image_by= paulfromukcamera
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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 +
<br style="clear:left" />
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===Rocca 35 Model 2===
 +
* f3.5 [[Enna]] Ennagon  3 element lens
 +
* Three-speed [[Vario]] shutter 1/25 - 1/50 - 1/200
 +
* Exposure calculator
 +
* Price in Britain £14.19.11
 +
* Optional Bewi Meter £8.8.0
 +
* If supplied with meter, sold as the model 2m for £23.2.7
 +
 
 +
N.B. This camera was also marketed as a '''Montanus Montana'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/65444449@N04/5966259946/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5966259946_f2528a02b4.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Rocca 35 Model 3 - Hanimex Version
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|image_by= paulfromukcamera
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|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
<br style="clear:left" />
 +
===Rocca 35 Model 3===
 +
* The Rocca 35 * f2.8 [[Enna]] Ennagon 3 element lens
 +
* Prontor LK Light Value five-speed shutter - 1/15 - 1/30 - 1/60 - 1/125 - 1/250
 +
* Exposure calculator
 +
* Price in Britain £21.5.7
 +
* Optional Bewi uncoupled Meter £8.8.0
 +
* If supplied with meter, sold as the model 3m for £29.19.11 (Photo above is the Hanimex Duomatic Version)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/65444449@N04/5965704183/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/5965704183_d28cf91333.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Rocca 35 Model 5m
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|image_by= paulfromukcamera
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 +
 
 +
<br style="clear:left" />
 +
===Rocca 35 Model 4m===
 +
* f2.8 [[Enna]] Ennit 4 element lens
 +
* [[Prontor]] SLK Light Value nine-speed shutter (1/300 - 1sec)
 +
* Uncoupled Bewi [[light meter|exposure meter]]
 +
* Price in Britain £36.12.3
 +
 
 +
===Rocca 35 Model 5m===
 +
* f2.8 [[Enna]] Ennagon  3 element lens
 +
* [[Prontor]] LK Light Value five-speed shutter - 1/15 - 1/30 - 1/60 - 1/125 - 1/250
 +
* Coupled Bewi Automat exposure meter
 +
* Price in Britain £30.12.10
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Rocca 35 Model 6===
 +
* f2.8 [[Enna]] Ennit 4 element lens
 +
* [[Prontor]] SVS nine-speed shutter (1/300 - 1sec)
 +
* Non-Coupled Bewi meter
 +
* Coupled [[Rangefinder (device)|Rangefinder]]
 +
* Price in Britain £29.19.6
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/65444449@N04/5965704231/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5965704231_99f415735d.jpg
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|image_align= left
 +
|image_text= Roccamatic
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|image_by= paulfromukcamera
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
<br style="clear:left" />
 +
===Rocca Roccamatic LK===
 +
* f2.8 [[Enna]] Ennagon 3 element lens
 +
* Bright Line Finder with parallax adjustment
 +
* Prontor LK Light Value five-speed shutter - 1/15 - 1/30 - 1/60 - 1/125 - 1/250
 +
* Coupled Metrawatt [[light meter|exposure meter]] with needle visible in [[viewfinder]]
 +
* [[Rangefinder (device)|Rangefinder]]
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* Price in Britain £39.19.6
 +
 
 +
===Rocca Roccamatic SLK===
 +
* f2.8 [[Enna]] Ennit 4 element lens
 +
* Bright-line finder with parallax adjustment
 +
* Prontor SLK nine-speed shutter (1/300 - 1sec)
 +
* Coupled Metrawatt exposure meter with needle visible in viewfinder
 +
* Rangefinder
 +
* Price in Britain £45.17.6
 +
 
 +
===Rocca Familia===
 +
Similar features to the Roccamatic, but with a Prontormat shutter to give Automatic exposure.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
N.B. The '''Rocca LK''' & '''Rocca SLK''', are [[Regula]]s re-badged by the US importer following the demise of Rocca.
 +
 
 +
==Bibliography==
 +
 
 +
All prices taken from advertisements by the British Agents, Amplion Limited of London, in March 1959 and July 1959 editions of ''Practical Photography.''
 +
 
 +
Information on Roccamatics from ''Amateur Photographer Camera Guide'' 19th August 1959 and 8th June 1960.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
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[[Category: German 35mm viewfinder]]
 
[[Category: Montanus]]
 
[[Category: Montanus]]
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[[Category: Pothoff&Co]]
 
 
[[Category: R]]
 
[[Category: R]]

Latest revision as of 06:30, 6 September 2021

3690682077_790c555852.jpg
Montanus Rocca
image by monkeymillions (Image rights)

The Rocca 35 is a 35mm compact camera, built by Montanus Kamerafabrik in Solingen, West Germany. It was released in 1958. The Rocca 35 had two main claims to fame: First was a rose tinted viewfinder; secondly, an early example of "one upmanship" in that you could buy the camera with an imitation meter (see illustration link), complete with honeycomb and dial. This could be changed at a later date for a Bewi "Automat" meter at a cost equivalent to 40% of the original price.

The particularly well built and specified Roccamatic was on a par with the Baldamatics of the period and very competitively priced. It also had similar luxury features such as a brightline finder that adjusted for parallax.

Unfortunately, in the UK they did not have a very good agent in Amplion and they never got the advertising exposure of Balda (J.J. Silber), Franka (R. F. Hunter) or Paxette (Neville Brown).

There are very few Roccas advertised by camera shops during this period. In September 1960 the Roccamatic was being "remaindered" by Westminster Photographic (SLK List Price £45/17/6 - down to £33/15/0 and the LK down to £29/15/0 from £39/19/6) In an age of RRP (recommended retail prices imposed by the manufacturer) a discount only meant one thing - a run out sale. By 1961, Montanus they had vanished from the Amateur Photographer's annual Camera Guide.


Specifications

5965703989_8925c94fd3.jpg
Practical Photography advert July 1959
image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights)
5966259768_4733cba30f.jpg
Simulated selenium meter honeycomb & exposure calculator
image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights)

All nine Rocca 35 models had a fixed 45mm f3.5 (models 2 and 2m only) or f2.8 three-element Ennagon or f2.8 four-element Ennit lens made by Enna of Munich. Conventional metal construction (not a hint of plastic!), brightline finder, rose tinted viewfinder, lever wind, double exposure prevention, body release on front of camera and a film type indicator similar to the Retina models.

Dimensions: Width:123mm Height: 90mm Depth: 67mm (Rocca 35 Model 2) 70mm (Roccamatic)


5966259884_5dec69eaaf.jpg
Rocca 35 Model 2
image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights)


Rocca 35 Model 2

  • f3.5 Enna Ennagon 3 element lens
  • Three-speed Vario shutter 1/25 - 1/50 - 1/200
  • Exposure calculator
  • Price in Britain £14.19.11
  • Optional Bewi Meter £8.8.0
  • If supplied with meter, sold as the model 2m for £23.2.7

N.B. This camera was also marketed as a Montanus Montana


5966259946_f2528a02b4.jpg
Rocca 35 Model 3 - Hanimex Version
image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights)


Rocca 35 Model 3

  • The Rocca 35 * f2.8 Enna Ennagon 3 element lens
  • Prontor LK Light Value five-speed shutter - 1/15 - 1/30 - 1/60 - 1/125 - 1/250
  • Exposure calculator
  • Price in Britain £21.5.7
  • Optional Bewi uncoupled Meter £8.8.0
  • If supplied with meter, sold as the model 3m for £29.19.11 (Photo above is the Hanimex Duomatic Version)


5965704183_d28cf91333.jpg
Rocca 35 Model 5m
image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights)


Rocca 35 Model 4m

  • f2.8 Enna Ennit 4 element lens
  • Prontor SLK Light Value nine-speed shutter (1/300 - 1sec)
  • Uncoupled Bewi exposure meter
  • Price in Britain £36.12.3

Rocca 35 Model 5m

  • f2.8 Enna Ennagon 3 element lens
  • Prontor LK Light Value five-speed shutter - 1/15 - 1/30 - 1/60 - 1/125 - 1/250
  • Coupled Bewi Automat exposure meter
  • Price in Britain £30.12.10


Rocca 35 Model 6

  • f2.8 Enna Ennit 4 element lens
  • Prontor SVS nine-speed shutter (1/300 - 1sec)
  • Non-Coupled Bewi meter
  • Coupled Rangefinder
  • Price in Britain £29.19.6


5965704231_99f415735d.jpg
Roccamatic
image by paulfromukcamera (Image rights)


Rocca Roccamatic LK

  • f2.8 Enna Ennagon 3 element lens
  • Bright Line Finder with parallax adjustment
  • Prontor LK Light Value five-speed shutter - 1/15 - 1/30 - 1/60 - 1/125 - 1/250
  • Coupled Metrawatt exposure meter with needle visible in viewfinder
  • Rangefinder
  • Price in Britain £39.19.6

Rocca Roccamatic SLK

  • f2.8 Enna Ennit 4 element lens
  • Bright-line finder with parallax adjustment
  • Prontor SLK nine-speed shutter (1/300 - 1sec)
  • Coupled Metrawatt exposure meter with needle visible in viewfinder
  • Rangefinder
  • Price in Britain £45.17.6

Rocca Familia

Similar features to the Roccamatic, but with a Prontormat shutter to give Automatic exposure.


N.B. The Rocca LK & Rocca SLK, are Regulas re-badged by the US importer following the demise of Rocca.

Bibliography

All prices taken from advertisements by the British Agents, Amplion Limited of London, in March 1959 and July 1959 editions of Practical Photography.

Information on Roccamatics from Amateur Photographer Camera Guide 19th August 1959 and 8th June 1960.

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