View source for Universal Heli-Clack

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The '''Universal Heli-Clack''' is a folding plate camera, made by [[Rietzschel]] in Munich, Germany, from about 1910. It is an adaptation of the 10×15 cm horizontal model of Rietzschel's [[Heli-Clack]] camera, intended for use either as a normal or stereo camera. The camera was made in three versions:

* Type I was supplied with a single lens of about 165 mm focal length. Rietzschel's brochure for the camera<ref name=WdS>[http://www.stereofotos.de/Kataloge_u__Prospekte/Gebrauchsanweisungen/Rietzschel_Munchen__1916_/body_rietzschel_munchen__1916_.html 1916 Brochure excerpt] for the Universal Heli-Clack (following the pages on the more truly panoramic [[Kosmo-Clack]]) at [http://www.stereofotos.de Welt der Stereoskopie].</ref> describes this as a panoramic camera, though this is hardly a panoramic format. The lens is mounted in an easily-exchanged lens board, so the camera may readily be converted for stereo use (or alternate lenses may be fitted).

* Type II was supplied with a stereo pair of lenses of about 120 mm focal length, in a stereo Compound shutter, again on an exchangeable lens board.

* Type III was supplied with both stereo lenses ''and'' a central lens for 'panoramic' photography. These are all mounted in a special Compound shutter, with a single set of controls (to set the speed and release the shutter), and a  'stereo/panorama' switch to select which shutter elements open. The camera pictured here has a Rietzschel Linear Anastigmat Serie B, f/5.5 150mm lens; the stereo lenses are un-named.

Rietzchel offered the camera with a wide choice of the company's own lenses.<ref name=WdS></ref>

Like the Heli-Clack camera on which it is based, this is a triple-extension camera, allowing telephoto lenses or auxiliary-lens attachments, and close-up use. In addition, the lens standard allows a considerable amount of front rise, which is geared, and shift.

There is a folding [[Viewfinder#Newton_finders|Newton finder]] on top of the camera body.

==Notes==
<references />

==Links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150323030939/http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inSiteLang=ENGLISH&inC=FHR&inA=10112007&inO=588 Universal Heli-Clack Type III] with 120 mm f/6.8 Double-anastigmat Dialyt stereo lenses, and a 165 mm Dialyt panoramic lens; a lot in an auction in November 2007 by [https://web.archive.org/web/20150303084630/http://www.photographica-auctionen.de/ger/ Rahn AG] (archived) in Frankfurt.
* [https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/rietzschel-universal-heli-clack-stereo-camera-1910-318-c-5d49a93ef5 Universal Heli-Clack Type III] (lenses not identified) in an auction in September 2009 by [http://www.breker.com/english/index.htm Auction Team Breker] in Cologne.


[[Category: German stereo]]
[[Category: 10x15 folding]]
[[Category: U]]
[[Category: H|Heli-Clack]]
[[Category: Panorama]]
[[Category:1906-1910]]