Difference between revisions of "Sico"
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The '''Sico''' is a camera for 30×40 mm exposures on unperforated 35 mm film (with a backing paper). It was made by '''Wolfgang Simons & Company''' of Bern, Switzerland, from about 1923.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p894.</ref> | The '''Sico''' is a camera for 30×40 mm exposures on unperforated 35 mm film (with a backing paper). It was made by '''Wolfgang Simons & Company''' of Bern, Switzerland, from about 1923.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p894.</ref> | ||
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The lens is either a 6 cm f/3.5 Rüdersdorf Anastigmat<ref name=McK></ref> (listings at Westlicht identify the lens as ''Rueo'' anastigmat,<ref name=W1></ref> but this is probably an abbreviation for Ruedersdorf) or an f/6.8 Goerz Dagor double-anastigmat.<ref name=McK></ref> The shutter is a dial-set Compur with speeds 1 - 1/300 second, plus 'B' and 'T', set in a helical focusing mount on the front of the camera. | The lens is either a 6 cm f/3.5 Rüdersdorf Anastigmat<ref name=McK></ref> (listings at Westlicht identify the lens as ''Rueo'' anastigmat,<ref name=W1></ref> but this is probably an abbreviation for Ruedersdorf) or an f/6.8 Goerz Dagor double-anastigmat.<ref name=McK></ref> The shutter is a dial-set Compur with speeds 1 - 1/300 second, plus 'B' and 'T', set in a helical focusing mount on the front of the camera. | ||
| − | The film is passed between two rather wide spools; with the orientation as described above, the uptake spool is on the left. There is no winding knob: the tab on the left hand end of the camera is the film advance control | + | The film is passed between two rather wide spools; with the orientation as described above, the uptake spool is on the left. There is no winding knob: the tab on the left hand end of the camera is the film advance control: the tab pulls a rod linked to the advance mechanism, and the stroke of the rod is reduced with each frame, to keep the frame-spacing constant as the diameter of the uptake spool is increased by the film aready on it. This mechanism was the subject of a patent by Simons and a partner.<ref>[http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=GB&NR=195351A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=4&date=19240331&DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&locale=en_EP British patent GB 195351], ''Improvements in film-feed mechanism for roll-film photographic apparatus'', lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/?locale=en_EP Espacenet], the patent search facility of the European Patent Office.</ref> |
| − | + | Also on the left-hand end are a brass carrying-handle and the catch to open the back. | |
McKeown also lists a later, and rarer, second model. This has a larger body, still wooden but covered with leather. Both ends of the front panel are bevelled on this camera. Its lens is a 6 cm f/4.5 Tessar, and the shutter is a ''rim-set'' Compur, and other controls are also different from the earlier camera.<ref name=McK></ref> | McKeown also lists a later, and rarer, second model. This has a larger body, still wooden but covered with leather. Both ends of the front panel are bevelled on this camera. Its lens is a 6 cm f/4.5 Tessar, and the shutter is a ''rim-set'' Compur, and other controls are also different from the earlier camera.<ref name=McK></ref> | ||
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==Links== | ==Links== | ||
| + | ===Further examples in past auctions=== | ||
* [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=190318&_ssl=off#190318 Sico], serial no. 82, sold at the [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=185090&acat=185090&offset=2&lang=3 May 2010 Westlicht auction]. This example has the Rüdersdorf 6 cm f/3.5 lens. The red window is intact. One photograph shows the film chamber; the uptake spool is smaller (and looks a bad fit) so may not be correct. It has a very worn brass plate on the back. | * [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=190318&_ssl=off#190318 Sico], serial no. 82, sold at the [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=185090&acat=185090&offset=2&lang=3 May 2010 Westlicht auction]. This example has the Rüdersdorf 6 cm f/3.5 lens. The red window is intact. One photograph shows the film chamber; the uptake spool is smaller (and looks a bad fit) so may not be correct. It has a very worn brass plate on the back. | ||
* [http://auction-team.de/new_highlights/2008_09/ph/041.html Sico] in the 'previous auction highlights' page at [http://www.auction-team.de/ Auction Team Breker]. This example also has the plate on the back, with a readable exposure guide. | * [http://auction-team.de/new_highlights/2008_09/ph/041.html Sico] in the 'previous auction highlights' page at [http://www.auction-team.de/ Auction Team Breker]. This example also has the plate on the back, with a readable exposure guide. | ||
* [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=19969&_ssl=off#19969 Sico], serial number 240, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=18893&acat=18893&offset=1&lang=3 May 2004 Westlicht auction]. | * [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=19969&_ssl=off#19969 Sico], serial number 240, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=18893&acat=18893&offset=1&lang=3 May 2004 Westlicht auction]. | ||
| + | ===Patents relating to the camera=== | ||
| + | * [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=GB&NR=195348A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=4&date=19240303&DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&locale=en_EP British patent GB 195348], ''Improvements relating to roll-film cameras and projection apparatus for use therein'', lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/?locale=en_EP Espacenet], the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. This patent concerns a lamp-house and condenser for attachment to a camera back, to form an enlarger or projector using the camera's film-transport system and lens. The camera shown is clearly a Sico. [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=AT&NR=95780B&KC=B&FT=D&ND=4&date=19240125&DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&locale=en_EP Austrian patent AT 95780 (B)] is essentially the same. | ||
| + | * [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=GB&NR=212566A&KC=A&FT=D&ND=4&date=19240401&DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&locale=en_EP British patent GB 212566 (A)], ''Improvements in and relatying to roll-film camera backs'', lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/?locale=en_EP Espacenet], the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. This patent describes a contact printing frame which can be substituted for the back of a camera. Negatives are mounted in the frame, to make same-size positives on an unexposed film in the camera. Though this is not relevant to the principle of the device, the patent describes the film-feed mechanism of the Sico. | ||
[[Category: 3x4 viewfinder]] | [[Category: 3x4 viewfinder]] | ||
Revision as of 21:15, 5 December 2011
This article is a stub. You can help Camera-wiki.org by expanding it.
The Sico is a camera for 30×40 mm exposures on unperforated 35 mm film (with a backing paper). It was made by Wolfgang Simons & Company of Bern, Switzerland, from about 1923.[1]
The camera has a wooden body; in form, this a rectangular box with one bevelled corner on the left of the front panel. It has mostly brass fittings. On one side there is a folding frame finder. If this side is taken to be the top, then there is a frame-counter on the bottom, which counts to 25 (a circular scale with a rotating arrow pointer). On the back, there is a red window under a sliding cover; however, the camera seems to have automatic frame-spacing, and the red window of one example sold at Westlicht has been covered permanently.[2]
The lens is either a 6 cm f/3.5 Rüdersdorf Anastigmat[1] (listings at Westlicht identify the lens as Rueo anastigmat,[2] but this is probably an abbreviation for Ruedersdorf) or an f/6.8 Goerz Dagor double-anastigmat.[1] The shutter is a dial-set Compur with speeds 1 - 1/300 second, plus 'B' and 'T', set in a helical focusing mount on the front of the camera.
The film is passed between two rather wide spools; with the orientation as described above, the uptake spool is on the left. There is no winding knob: the tab on the left hand end of the camera is the film advance control: the tab pulls a rod linked to the advance mechanism, and the stroke of the rod is reduced with each frame, to keep the frame-spacing constant as the diameter of the uptake spool is increased by the film aready on it. This mechanism was the subject of a patent by Simons and a partner.[3]
Also on the left-hand end are a brass carrying-handle and the catch to open the back.
McKeown also lists a later, and rarer, second model. This has a larger body, still wooden but covered with leather. Both ends of the front panel are bevelled on this camera. Its lens is a 6 cm f/4.5 Tessar, and the shutter is a rim-set Compur, and other controls are also different from the earlier camera.[1]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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). p894.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sico, serial no. 32, sold in the November 2005 Westlicht auction in Vienna.
- ↑ British patent GB 195351, Improvements in film-feed mechanism for roll-film photographic apparatus, lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office.
Links
Further examples in past auctions
- Sico, serial no. 82, sold at the May 2010 Westlicht auction. This example has the Rüdersdorf 6 cm f/3.5 lens. The red window is intact. One photograph shows the film chamber; the uptake spool is smaller (and looks a bad fit) so may not be correct. It has a very worn brass plate on the back.
- Sico in the 'previous auction highlights' page at Auction Team Breker. This example also has the plate on the back, with a readable exposure guide.
- Sico, serial number 240, sold at the May 2004 Westlicht auction.
Patents relating to the camera
- British patent GB 195348, Improvements relating to roll-film cameras and projection apparatus for use therein, lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. This patent concerns a lamp-house and condenser for attachment to a camera back, to form an enlarger or projector using the camera's film-transport system and lens. The camera shown is clearly a Sico. Austrian patent AT 95780 (B) is essentially the same.
- British patent GB 212566 (A), Improvements in and relatying to roll-film camera backs, lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. This patent describes a contact printing frame which can be substituted for the back of a camera. Negatives are mounted in the frame, to make same-size positives on an unexposed film in the camera. Though this is not relevant to the principle of the device, the patent describes the film-feed mechanism of the Sico.
