Difference between revisions of "Sico"

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(Added detail about film advance mechanism, with ref to Patent for it.)
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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>
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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> In its shape and overall design, it seems to be a copy of the [[Minnigraph]] of 1915, though for different film and image size.
  
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 [[Viewfinder#Frame finders|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.<ref name=W1>[https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=44652&_ssl=off#44652 Sico], serial no. 32, sold in the [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=43182&acat=43182&offset=2&lang=3 November 2005 Westlicht auction] in Vienna.</ref>
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The camera has a wooden body; in form, this is 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 [[Viewfinder#Frame finders|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.<ref name=W1>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=8&inO=724 Sico], serial no. 32, sold in the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=8 eighth Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 27 November 2005.</ref>
  
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.
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The lens is either a 6 cm f/3.5 Rüdersdorf Anastigmat<ref name=McK/> (listings at Westlicht identify the lens as Rüo anastigmat,<ref name=W1/> presumably named for Ruedersdorf) or an f/6.8 Goerz Dagor double-anastigmat.<ref name=McK/> 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; it is pulled to wind the film on. The mechanism was the subject of a patent by Simons and a partner; the stroke of the rod is reduced with every frame, to keep the length of film constant as the diameter of the uptake spool is increased by the film aready on it.<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>
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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>[https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DGB195351A 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/ Espacenet], the patent search facility of the European Patent Office.</ref>
  
There is a brass carrying-handle on the left-hand end (the end with the film advance control).
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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>
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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/>
  
  
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==Links==
 
==Links==
* [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.
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===Further examples in past auctions===
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* [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=20130118_1303&inO=630 Sico] serial no. 23, with the Rüdersdorf 6 cm f/3.5, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.AuctionList?inL=&inC=WLPA&inA=20130118_1303&inWLPAAuctionType=AUCTION 23rd Westlicht auction], on 25 May 2013.
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* [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=17&inO=559 Sico] serial no. 82, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=17 seventeenth Westlicht auction], on 29 May 2010. 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 original. 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].
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* [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=5&inO=528 Sico] serial number 240, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=5 fifth Westlicht auction], on 29 May 2004.
  
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===Patents relating to the camera===
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* [https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DGB195348A 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''. 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. [https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DAT95780B Austrian patent AT 95780 (B)] is essentially the same.
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* [https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DGB212566A British patent GB 212566 (A)], ''Improvements in and relating to roll-film camera backs'', lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at ''Espacenet''. 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.
  
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[[Category: 3x4 viewfinder]]
 
[[Category: Unperforated 35mm film]]
 
[[Category: Unperforated 35mm film]]
 
[[Category: Switzerland]]
 
[[Category: Switzerland]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: S]]

Revision as of 19:51, 30 July 2020

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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.[1] In its shape and overall design, it seems to be a copy of the Minnigraph of 1915, though for different film and image size.

The camera has a wooden body; in form, this is 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 Rüo anastigmat,[2] presumably named 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. 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. 2.0 2.1 Sico, serial no. 32, sold in the eighth Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 27 November 2005.
  3. 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. 23, with the Rüdersdorf 6 cm f/3.5, sold at the 23rd Westlicht auction, on 25 May 2013.
  • Sico serial no. 82, sold at the seventeenth Westlicht auction, on 29 May 2010. 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 original. 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 fifth Westlicht auction, on 29 May 2004.

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. 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 relating to roll-film camera backs, lodged 1922, and granted 1924 to Dr. Alfred Huber and Wolfgang Simons; at Espacenet. 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.