Difference between revisions of "Walz Envoy 35"

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The '''Walz Envoy 35''' is a well-made 35 mm [[rangefinder camera]] that was sold c.1959 by the Japanese company [[Walz]]. It was available with an f/1.9 or f/2.8 Kominar lens and fitted with a [[Copal]] SVL shutter. A camera offering a seven-element f/1.9 lens (a 4.8cm from [[Nittō Kōgaku | Nitto Kogaku]]) at an affordable price was a particular selling point.<ref>It is [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/52494692469/in/pool-camerawiki/ advertised in April, 1959], at USD $69.95 (''Popular Photography'' magazine; Vol. 44 No. 4; pg. 15).</ref> This is highlighted with lens trim-ring engravings reading "7-elements"<ref> Examples have been seen where this is omitted.</ref> and even a diagram on the top deck showing a cross-section of the lens design.
 
The '''Walz Envoy 35''' is a well-made 35 mm [[rangefinder camera]] that was sold c.1959 by the Japanese company [[Walz]]. It was available with an f/1.9 or f/2.8 Kominar lens and fitted with a [[Copal]] SVL shutter. A camera offering a seven-element f/1.9 lens (a 4.8cm from [[Nittō Kōgaku | Nitto Kogaku]]) at an affordable price was a particular selling point.<ref>It is [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/52494692469/in/pool-camerawiki/ advertised in April, 1959], at USD $69.95 (''Popular Photography'' magazine; Vol. 44 No. 4; pg. 15).</ref> This is highlighted with lens trim-ring engravings reading "7-elements"<ref> Examples have been seen where this is omitted.</ref> and even a diagram on the top deck showing a cross-section of the lens design.
  
In fact, this lens design is derived from the pre-WWII [[Sonnar 50mm | Zeiss Sonnar]]—unusual by 1959, as its cemented elements were a measure to improve transmission and contrast by having only 6 air-glass surfaces. This became less of an issue in the 50s as [[Lens#Lens_coating | antireflection coatings]] had become commonplace (a typical 6-element [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-Gauss_lens double Gauss] design has 8 such surfaces).
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In fact, this lens design is derived from the pre-WWII [[Sonnar 50mm | Zeiss Sonnar]]—unusual by 1959, as its cemented elements were a measure to improve transmission and contrast by having only 6 air-glass surfaces. This became less of an issue in the 50s as [[Lens#Lens_coating | antireflection coatings]] had become commonplace (a typical 6-element [[double Gauss]] design has 8 such surfaces).
  
 
The aperture ring is coupled to the shutter speed ring in order to keep the same [[LV|EV]] when changing shutter speed. The [[Walz Envoy M-35]], a metered update of this camera, was marketed in the same period. Its uncoupled meter gives the EV value to be set on the aperture ring.
 
The aperture ring is coupled to the shutter speed ring in order to keep the same [[LV|EV]] when changing shutter speed. The [[Walz Envoy M-35]], a metered update of this camera, was marketed in the same period. Its uncoupled meter gives the EV value to be set on the aperture ring.

Revision as of 19:17, 12 November 2022

The Walz Envoy 35 is a well-made 35 mm rangefinder camera that was sold c.1959 by the Japanese company Walz. It was available with an f/1.9 or f/2.8 Kominar lens and fitted with a Copal SVL shutter. A camera offering a seven-element f/1.9 lens (a 4.8cm from Nitto Kogaku) at an affordable price was a particular selling point.[1] This is highlighted with lens trim-ring engravings reading "7-elements"[2] and even a diagram on the top deck showing a cross-section of the lens design.

In fact, this lens design is derived from the pre-WWII Zeiss Sonnar—unusual by 1959, as its cemented elements were a measure to improve transmission and contrast by having only 6 air-glass surfaces. This became less of an issue in the 50s as antireflection coatings had become commonplace (a typical 6-element double Gauss design has 8 such surfaces).

The aperture ring is coupled to the shutter speed ring in order to keep the same EV when changing shutter speed. The Walz Envoy M-35, a metered update of this camera, was marketed in the same period. Its uncoupled meter gives the EV value to be set on the aperture ring.

Notes

  1. It is advertised in April, 1959, at USD $69.95 (Popular Photography magazine; Vol. 44 No. 4; pg. 15).
  2. Examples have been seen where this is omitted.

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