Difference between revisions of "Tessina"
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| − | '''Tessina''' cameras are a range of [[subminiature]] cameras made in Switzerland by Sigrist, and distributed by Concava S. A, from c.1960 for around four decades<ref>{{McKeown12}} Page 210. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessina Wikipedia] quotes a date range of 1957-96, but this is unreferenced.</ref>. For a subminiature, it has three unusual features: it uses [[35mm film]] in special cassettes, running across the bottom of the camera - at a right-angle to the lens axis; it has spring motor [[film advance]], and is a [[TLR]]. There are | + | '''Tessina''' cameras are a range of [[subminiature]] cameras made in Switzerland by Sigrist, and distributed by Concava S. A, from c.1960 for around four decades<ref>{{McKeown12}} Page 210. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessina Wikipedia] quotes a date range of 1957-96, but this is unreferenced.</ref>. For a subminiature, it has three unusual features: it uses [[35mm film]] in special cassettes, running across the bottom of the camera - at a right-angle to the lens axis; it has spring motor [[film advance]], and is a [[TLR]]. There are three very similar models, the '''Tessina 35''', the '''Tessina Automatic 35''' and the '''Tessina L'''. |
The image size is 14×21mm - smaller than a standard half-frame camera, but larger than many subminiatures. A daylight loader was available to load the cassettes with 14-20 inches of standard 35mm film, giving between 20 and 30 exposures per cassette.<ref name=W2>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=189798&_ssl=off#189798 1963 Tessina 35 Automatic in red finish], with the prism finder, tripod plate, daylight film loader and other accessories, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=185086&acat=185086&lang=3 May 2010 Westlicht Auction].</ref><ref name=Man>[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/tessina_auto_35/tessina_auto_35.htm User's manual for the Tessina Automatic 35] at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Orphan Cameras].</ref> | The image size is 14×21mm - smaller than a standard half-frame camera, but larger than many subminiatures. A daylight loader was available to load the cassettes with 14-20 inches of standard 35mm film, giving between 20 and 30 exposures per cassette.<ref name=W2>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=189798&_ssl=off#189798 1963 Tessina 35 Automatic in red finish], with the prism finder, tripod plate, daylight film loader and other accessories, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=185086&acat=185086&lang=3 May 2010 Westlicht Auction].</ref><ref name=Man>[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/tessina_auto_35/tessina_auto_35.htm User's manual for the Tessina Automatic 35] at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Orphan Cameras].</ref> | ||
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The camera body is metal, with rounded ends, and measures 69×56×27mm (2½×2¼×1 inch). The camera has a coated Tessinon 25mm f/2.8 lens, and a flash-synchronised shutter with speeds 1/2-1/500 second, plus 'B'. The lenses have a sliding cover for protection. | The camera body is metal, with rounded ends, and measures 69×56×27mm (2½×2¼×1 inch). The camera has a coated Tessinon 25mm f/2.8 lens, and a flash-synchronised shutter with speeds 1/2-1/500 second, plus 'B'. The lenses have a sliding cover for protection. | ||
| − | On the top is the ground-glass focusing screen, with a mounting for interchangeable viewfinders. The standard finder is a folding waist-level focusing | + | On the top is the ground-glass focusing screen, with a mounting for interchangeable viewfinders. The standard finder is a folding eye-level [[Viewfinder#Albada finders|Albada finder]] which also acts as a hood for waist-level focusing using the ground glass. A vertical magnifying finder,<ref name=W3>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=58555&_ssl=off#58555 Tessina 35] with the prism and magnifying finders, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=54422&acat=54422&lang=3 May 2006 Westlicht auction].</ref> and a prism finder were available as alternatives; these both have dioptric correction (for the user's eyesight).<ref name=Man></ref><ref name=W1>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=238491&_ssl=off#238491 Tessina 35] with the prism finder and lightmeter, sold in the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=232073&acat=232073&lang=3 November 2011 Westlicht Photographica Auction] in Vienna.</ref> |
Also on the top are the focus and aperture dials. The aperture dial has the frame counter fitted on top, while there is a depth-of-field indicator on the focus dial. There is also an accessory shoe, which normally holds an exposure table. An accessory lightmeter exists, which mounts in place of this table.<ref name=W1></ref> | Also on the top are the focus and aperture dials. The aperture dial has the frame counter fitted on top, while there is a depth-of-field indicator on the focus dial. There is also an accessory shoe, which normally holds an exposure table. An accessory lightmeter exists, which mounts in place of this table.<ref name=W1></ref> | ||
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The camera has automatic clockwork film advance: the advance mechanism can be wound in advance for 5-8 exposures.<ref name=Man></ref> The winding knob is on the back, as is the rewind knob, rewind release, and the [[PC socket]]. | The camera has automatic clockwork film advance: the advance mechanism can be wound in advance for 5-8 exposures.<ref name=Man></ref> The winding knob is on the back, as is the rewind knob, rewind release, and the [[PC socket]]. | ||
| − | The bottom of the camera has several studs to hold a tripod adapter plate, to avoid making room for a tripod bush in the body.<ref name=W2></ref> | + | The bottom of the camera has several studs to hold a tripod adapter plate, to avoid making room for a tripod bush in the body.<ref name=W2></ref> The camera can also be mounted on a leather wrist-strap. |
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* [http://www.johnandlisa.us/john/tessina-notes.html Tessina, by John Lehman] | * [http://www.johnandlisa.us/john/tessina-notes.html Tessina, by John Lehman] | ||
* [http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/mosaics?CC=AT&NR=246552B&KC=B&FT=D&date=19660425&DB=&locale= Austrian Patent] (in German) from 1966 seems to refer to the Tessina. | * [http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/mosaics?CC=AT&NR=246552B&KC=B&FT=D&date=19660425&DB=&locale= Austrian Patent] (in German) from 1966 seems to refer to the Tessina. | ||
| + | * [http://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=8601&_ssl=off#8601 Tessina 35 in gold finish], with accessories, sold at the [http://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=iframe&object=auction&id=8133&sub=8119&acat=8133 November 2003 Westlicht Auction]. | ||
| + | * [http://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=138116&_ssl=off#138116 Tessina L] with lightmeter and film loader, sold at the [http://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=iframe&object=auction&id=133112&sub=133059&acat=133112 November 2008 Westlicht Auction]. | ||
| + | * [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=221773&_ssl=off#221773 Tessina 35] modified with an electric motor drive (supposedly for the Stasi!), sold in the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=215782&acat=215782&lang=3 May 2011 Westlicht Auction]. | ||
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[[Category: T]] | [[Category: T]] | ||
Revision as of 00:27, 2 December 2011
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| Tessina 35 image by Rick Soloway (Image rights) |
Tessina cameras are a range of subminiature cameras made in Switzerland by Sigrist, and distributed by Concava S. A, from c.1960 for around four decades[1]. For a subminiature, it has three unusual features: it uses 35mm film in special cassettes, running across the bottom of the camera - at a right-angle to the lens axis; it has spring motor film advance, and is a TLR. There are three very similar models, the Tessina 35, the Tessina Automatic 35 and the Tessina L.
The image size is 14×21mm - smaller than a standard half-frame camera, but larger than many subminiatures. A daylight loader was available to load the cassettes with 14-20 inches of standard 35mm film, giving between 20 and 30 exposures per cassette.[2][3]
The camera body is metal, with rounded ends, and measures 69×56×27mm (2½×2¼×1 inch). The camera has a coated Tessinon 25mm f/2.8 lens, and a flash-synchronised shutter with speeds 1/2-1/500 second, plus 'B'. The lenses have a sliding cover for protection.
On the top is the ground-glass focusing screen, with a mounting for interchangeable viewfinders. The standard finder is a folding eye-level Albada finder which also acts as a hood for waist-level focusing using the ground glass. A vertical magnifying finder,[4] and a prism finder were available as alternatives; these both have dioptric correction (for the user's eyesight).[3][5]
Also on the top are the focus and aperture dials. The aperture dial has the frame counter fitted on top, while there is a depth-of-field indicator on the focus dial. There is also an accessory shoe, which normally holds an exposure table. An accessory lightmeter exists, which mounts in place of this table.[5]
The shutter speed is set on a dial at the back. The shutter release button is on the front, and is threaded for a cable release.
The camera has automatic clockwork film advance: the advance mechanism can be wound in advance for 5-8 exposures.[3] The winding knob is on the back, as is the rewind knob, rewind release, and the PC socket.
The bottom of the camera has several studs to hold a tripod adapter plate, to avoid making room for a tripod bush in the body.[2] The camera can also be mounted on a leather wrist-strap.
Notes
- ↑ 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). Page 210. Wikipedia quotes a date range of 1957-96, but this is unreferenced.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 1963 Tessina 35 Automatic in red finish, with the prism finder, tripod plate, daylight film loader and other accessories, sold at the May 2010 Westlicht Auction.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 User's manual for the Tessina Automatic 35 at Orphan Cameras.
- ↑ Tessina 35 with the prism and magnifying finders, sold at the May 2006 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Tessina 35 with the prism finder and lightmeter, sold in the November 2011 Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
Links
- Tessina on subclub.org
- Tessina on Cameraquest
- Tessina on Submin.com
- Tessina, by John Lehman
- Austrian Patent (in German) from 1966 seems to refer to the Tessina.
- Tessina 35 in gold finish, with accessories, sold at the November 2003 Westlicht Auction.
- Tessina L with lightmeter and film loader, sold at the November 2008 Westlicht Auction.
- Tessina 35 modified with an electric motor drive (supposedly for the Stasi!), sold in the May 2011 Westlicht Auction.
