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>. It has three unusual features for a subminiature camera: it is a true [[TLR|twin-lens reflex]]; it uses [[35mm film]], in special cassettes, running across the bottom of the camera - at a right-angle to the lens axis; and it has spring motor film advance. There are three very similar models, the '''Tessina 35''', the '''Tessina Automatic 35''' and the '''Tessina L'''. | '''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>. It has three unusual features for a subminiature camera: it is a true [[TLR|twin-lens reflex]]; it uses [[35mm film]], in special cassettes, running across the bottom of the camera - at a right-angle to the lens axis; and it has spring motor film advance. 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>[ | + | 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>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=17&inO=498 1963 Tessina 35 Automatic in red finish], with the prism finder, tripod plate, daylight film loader and other accessories, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=17 seventeenth Westlicht Photographica Auction], in May 2010.</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 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 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>[ | + | 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>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=9&inO=719 Tessina 35] with the prism and magnifying finders, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=9 ninth Westlicht auction], in May 2006.</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>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=20&inO=434 Tessina 35] with the prism finder and shoe-mounting lightmeter, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=20 twentieth Westlicht auction], in November 2011.</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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* [http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/tessina/introduction.htm Tessina on Submin.com] | * [http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/tessina/introduction.htm Tessina on Submin.com] | ||
* [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=AT&NR=246552B&KC=B&FT=D&ND=3&date=19660425&DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&locale=en_EP Austrian Patent 246552] of 1966, ''Spiegelreflexkamera'' granted to Dr Ing. Rudolf Steineck seems to refer to the Tessina, though it describes a model which has not been seen, having a built-in selenium meter, with the cell on the front face of the camera; at [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/?locale=en_EP Espacenet], the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. Text in German. | * [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/originalDocument?CC=AT&NR=246552B&KC=B&FT=D&ND=3&date=19660425&DB=worldwide.espacenet.com&locale=en_EP Austrian Patent 246552] of 1966, ''Spiegelreflexkamera'' granted to Dr Ing. Rudolf Steineck seems to refer to the Tessina, though it describes a model which has not been seen, having a built-in selenium meter, with the cell on the front face of the camera; at [http://worldwide.espacenet.com/?locale=en_EP Espacenet], the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. Text in German. | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=4&inO=599 Tessina 35 in gold finish], with accessories, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=4 fourth Westlicht auction], in November 2003. |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=14&inO=748 Tessina L] with lightmeter and film loader, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=14 fourteenth Westlicht auction], in November 2008. |
| − | * [ | + | * [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=19&inO=525 Tessina 35] modified with an electric motor drive (supposedly for the Stasi), sold in the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=19 nineteenth Westlicht auction], in May 2011. |
Revision as of 01:28, 1 July 2020
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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]. It has three unusual features for a subminiature camera: it is a true twin-lens reflex; it uses 35mm film, in special cassettes, running across the bottom of the camera - at a right-angle to the lens axis; and it has spring motor film advance. 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.
Because a mirror is used to direct the image to the film, the negatives are reversed left-right relative to those from a normal camera; this is corrected during printing (by mounting the negative upside-down in the enlarger).
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| image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
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| Tessina L image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
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| with accessories: film loader, cassettes, case, neck chain on tripod adaptor, wrist strap. image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
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 seventeenth Westlicht Photographica Auction, in May 2010.
- ↑ 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 ninth Westlicht auction, in May 2006.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Tessina 35 with the prism finder and shoe-mounting lightmeter, sold at the twentieth Westlicht auction, in November 2011.
Links
- Tessina on Cameraquest
- Tessina on Submin.com
- Austrian Patent 246552 of 1966, Spiegelreflexkamera granted to Dr Ing. Rudolf Steineck seems to refer to the Tessina, though it describes a model which has not been seen, having a built-in selenium meter, with the cell on the front face of the camera; at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. Text in German.
- Tessina 35 in gold finish, with accessories, sold at the fourth Westlicht auction, in November 2003.
- Tessina L with lightmeter and film loader, sold at the fourteenth Westlicht auction, in November 2008.
- Tessina 35 modified with an electric motor drive (supposedly for the Stasi), sold in the nineteenth Westlicht auction, in May 2011.
