Sirene
Introduction
The Sirene is series of plate cameras produced by ICA in Germany. All models are of the folding plate design. They were made between 1914 and 1926. The most common model is the Sirene 135. In 1926, when ICA merged into Zeiss Ikon, the Sirene line was continued with some new and improved features. The Zeiss Ikon models a rare, according to McKeown.
Lens and shutter
The Sirene 135 has an Extra-Rapid-Aplanat "Helios" lens. It's a two element lens, with both elements screwed into either end of the shutter. Its focal lenth is 13cm with a maximum aperture of f/8. A small lever under the lens allows a stepless setting of aperture. A series of 8, 12.5, 18, 25 and 36 is marked on the front plate.
The unnamed shutter has Z, B, 1/25-1/100s setting. It's a two blade shutter. The Z (Zeit) setting corresponds with the T (time) setting. The two five pointed stars at either end of the shutterspeed series may suggest it was made by ICA itself (The five pointed star was ICA's company logo). The shutter can be tripped by a lever or by cable release.
Movements
The front plate is upheld by two columns. Two screws allow for some lens movements. The maximum rise is 1.6 cm and fall is 0.5 cm at most. The "normal" position is indicated on the right column by a small dot. The tilt is in the upward position only and possibel to a very limited extent only.
Variations
The Sirene was made in two formats; one for 6×9cm and the other for 9×12cm glass plates. The Sirene 135 was made exclusively for the 9×12 size. (When actually measuring the inner size of the glass plate holders, 9.1×11.6cm would be image format). McKeown notes that economy models were delivered with an f/11 Periscop or f/6.8 Eurynar lens, set in an Ibsor shutter.
Links
- Sirene 135 at Peter Mann's site.
- a good article on camera movements at wikipedia.org.
