Victrix (folding-bed)
The Victrix is a folding-bed camera for 4.5x6 cm plates and film packs, made from 1912-25[1] by ICA, and from 1926-31 by Zeiss Ikon, in Dresden. It is metal-bodied, with leather covering and bellows. It is a vertical folder (that is, with the bed horizontal, the camera is oriented to take a 'portrait-format' photograph). The Victrix was ICA's model 48; a re-styled camera (model 49) was made from 1925, and this was continued after the merger to form Zeiss Ikon.
A 1925 catalogue[2] lists the following lenses (all 7.5 cm) and shutters:
- Automat X (shutter) with ICA f/6.8 Novar-Anastigmat
- Automat X with ICA f/6.8 Hekla Double-anastigmat
- Compur (dial-set) with Zeiss f/6.3 Tessar
- Compur with f/4.5 Tessar.
McKeown also lists the camera with the ICA 7.5 cm f/4.5 Dominar
The Automat model X shutter is a three-speed everset one, with speeds 1/25 - 1/100 second, plus 'B' and 'T'. The Compur mentioned gives speeds 1 - 1/300 second, plus 'B' and 'T'.
The camera has radial lever focusing. In the original model 48, the lever is at the front of the bed; later cameras have it on the right side of the bed. It has a cross front, but not rise (this gives rise when the camera is oriented for a landscape photograph, when it is more likely to be wanted). There is always a brilliant finder. Some examples also have a folding frame finder: the ICA catalogue cited above shows the Victrix model 48 with a frame finder hinged at the top of the shutter unit, so that it stands above the camera. McKeown, however, shows the camera without this finder,[1] and examples at Westlicht also lack it.[3] The camera has tripod bushes for vertical and horizontal use.
McKeown states that the Victrix was sold by Butcher in the UK as their Watch Pocket Klimax, an extension of the company's Klimax range of folding plate cameras, from 1913-20.[4] This camera has British Aldis and Beck lenses instead of the cheaper ICA lenses, but Zeiss lenses are still the more expensive options.[5]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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). p421.
- ↑ ICA catalogue of 1925 at Camera Eccentric]; the Victrix model 48 is on page 4; the shutters are described on page 2.
- ↑ Lot of five Victrix cameras sold at the May 2003 Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna, including ICA model 48 cameras from 1912 and 1914, an ICA model 49 from 1925, and two Zeiss Ikon cameras.
- ↑ McKeown, 12th Ed., p173.
- ↑ ICA (Butcher) Watch Pocket Klimax, equivalent to a Victrix model 48, with Zeiss Triotar and Lukos II shutter, sold at the May 2003 Westlicht auction.
