Difference between revisions of "Wica"

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The '''Wica''' is a [[Leica]] copy made by '''Wi'''ener '''Ca'''mera Werkstätte and apparently designed by R. Gerstendörfer of Vienna. It was presented in 1948 and is ultra rare.
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The '''Wica''' is a [[Leica]] copy (that is, a 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera) made by [[Wiener Camerawerkstätte|'''Wi'''ener '''Ca'''mera Werkstätte]] and designed by '''Raimund Gerstendörfer''' of Vienna. It was presented in 1948 and is ultra rare: auction listings at Westlich auctions estimate that perhaps only 100 cameras were made. Gerstendörfer registered a patent for a 35mm camera in 1931, with the Vienna company '''Heindl & Petters''';<ref>[https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=pn%3DAT132821B Austrian Patent 132821], ''Kinofilmcamera'', registered in 1931 by Heindl and Petters of Vienna and granted in 1933, naming Raimund Gerstendörfer as the inventor; at [https://worldwide.espacenet.com/ Espacenet], the patent search facility of the European Patent Office.</ref> it appears that the annexation of Austria by Germany, and the Second World War, delayed the development of the camera. Heindl & Petters probably made typewriters (to judge by their also holding at least ten patents relating to these<ref>[https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search?q=Heindl%20Petters%201900%3A1950 Patents 1900-50 held by Heindl & Petters], at ''Espacenet''.</ref>) and hoped to manufacture the camera. They had no involvement in the cameras eventually made.
 
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** higher shutter release
 
** higher shutter release
  
Some examples have a removable lens in a special mount (32mm fine thread), hand adjusted to the rangefinder. Some later cameras have a normal [[Leica thread mount]].
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Some examples have a removable lens in a special mount (32mm fine thread), hand adjusted to the rangefinder. Some later cameras have a normal [[Leica thread mount]]. A few have a second, ''male'' thread to mount a long-focus lens.
  
 
Lenses reported in Wica mount:
 
Lenses reported in Wica mount:
 
* [[Angénieux]] type S1 50/1.8
 
* [[Angénieux]] type S1 50/1.8
* [[Angénieux]] type Z2 50/2.9
+
* Angénieux type Z2 50/2.9
 
* [[Berthiot]] Flor 50/2.8
 
* [[Berthiot]] Flor 50/2.8
 
* [[Rodenstock]] Heligon 50/2
 
* [[Rodenstock]] Heligon 50/2
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Recent auctions and other known pictures:
+
Known examples at recent auctions and other known pictures:
* s/n 15, Westlicht Auction 21/5/2005, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, with [[Steinheil]] Culminar 5cm/2.8 VL #506977 in Wica mount
+
* s/n 15, Westlicht Auction 21/5/2005, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, with Steinheil Culminar 5cm/2.8 VL #506977 in Wica mount
* s/n unknown, ebay auction, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, with [[Schneider]] Xenon 5cm/2 #1800997 in Wica mount
+
* s/n unknown, ebay auction, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, with Schneider Xenon 5cm/2 #1800997 in Wica mount
* s/n 130, Westlicht Auction 15/11/2002, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, strap lugs with [[Berthiot]] Flor 5cm/2.8 #1800997 in Wica mount
+
* s/n 130, Westlicht Auction 15/11/2002, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, strap lugs with Berthiot Flor 5cm/2.8 #1800997 in Wica mount
* s/n 139, Christies 8/6/1995, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, strap lugs with [[Rodenstock]] Heligon 5cm/2 #2039679 in Wica mount
+
* s/n 139, Christies 8/6/1995, short top plate marked ''R. Gerstendörfer Wien'' and ''Wica'', 2-plug sync, A/R knob, strap lugs with Rodenstock Heligon 5cm/2 #2039679 in Wica mount; the same camera was offered for sale again at the 40th Leitz Photographica Auction in June 2022.<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Gerstendoerfer-WICA-Rodenstock-Heligon-2-5cm/AI-40-40337 Wica serial no. 139] offered for sale at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-40/ 40th Leitz Photographica Auction], June 2022: several good photographs of the camera.</ref>
* s/n unknown, pictured in McKeown, early model with both a 2-plug sync and a normal sync post, with an [[Angénieux]] 50/1.8 type S1 in Wica mount
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* s/n 152, 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction.<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Gerstendoerfer-WICA/AI-32-35864 Wica serial no. 152], offered for sale at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-32/ 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction], in March 2018.</ref> Rodenstock Heligon 5cm f/2 no.2050479.
* s/n unknown, pictured in Jason Schneider's ''Camera Collecting'' book, volume III, late model with an [[Angénieux]] 50/1.8 type S1 in Wica mount
+
* s/n unknown, pictured in McKeown, early model with both a 2-plug sync and a normal sync post, with an Angénieux 50/1.8 type S1 in Wica mount
* s/n 1017, Christies 8/6/1995, long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', normal sync, A/R lever, [[Angénieux]] 50/2.9 type Z2 #160700 in Wica mount
+
* s/n unknown, pictured in Jason Schneider's ''Camera Collecting'' book, volume III, late model with an Angénieux 50/1.8 type S1 in Wica mount
* s/n 1018, 34th Leitz Photographica Auction, June 2019. Long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', Angenieux 50/2.9 type Z2 #124578
+
* s/n 1017, Christies 8/6/1995, long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', normal sync, A/R lever, Angénieux 50/2.9 type Z2 #160700 in Wica mount
* s/n 1040, Westlicht Auction 29/5/2004, long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', normal sync, A/R lever, [[Leica thread mount]], sold with a fake ''SONNAR'' made in USSR
+
* s/n 1018, 33rd Leitz Photographica Auction, November 2018.<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Gerstendoerfer-Wica/AI-33-36491 Wica serial no. 1018], sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-33/ 33rd Leitz Photographica Auction], in November 2018.</ref> Long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', Angenieux 50/2.9 type Z2 #124578
* s/n 1042, late model with [[Leica thread mount]], pictured in McKeown equipped with a [[Steinheil]] Quinon 50/2
+
* s/n 1026, 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction.<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Gerstendoerfer-WICA-outfit/AI-32-35826 Wica serial no. 1026 and two lenses], sold at the 32nd Leitz auction, in March 2018.</ref> Angenieux Type Z2 50mm f/2.9, no.156751 in normal mount, and Tessar 18cm f/4.5, no.126549, the long lens with ''female M37 mount''.
* s/n 1044, late model, pictured in McKeown with a [[Berthiot]] Flor 50/1.5 in Wica mount
+
* s/n 1040, Westlicht Auction 29/5/2004, long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', normal sync, A/R lever, Leica thread mount, sold with a fake ''SONNAR'' made in USSR
* s/n 1051, Westlicht Auction 23/5/2003, long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', normal sync, A/R lever, [[Angénieux]] 50/2.9 type Z2 #156141 in Wica mount
+
* s/n 1042, late model with Leica thread mount, pictured in McKeown equipped with a Steinheil Quinon 50/2
* s/n 1XXX, late model with [[Leica thread mount]], pictured in McKeown equipped with a Leica-Sonnar 5.8cm/1.5
+
* s/n 1044, late model, pictured in McKeown with a Berthiot Flor 50/1.5 in Wica mount
 +
* s/n 1051, Westlicht Auction 23/5/2003, long top plate marked ''Wica'' and ''MADE IN AUSTRIA'', normal sync, A/R lever, Angénieux 50/2.9 type Z2 #156141 in Wica mount
 +
* s/n 1XXX, late model with Leica thread mount, pictured in McKeown equipped with a Leica-Sonnar 5.8cm/1.5
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references/>
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
* [http://www.oldcameras.at/englisch/index_e.htm Oldcameras.at has a picture of a Wica]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180815031856/http://www.oldcameras.at/englisch/index_e.htm Oldcameras.at has a picture of a Wica] (archived)
 
* [http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/LeicaCopy/copieleicaIII.html Wica cameras amongst others on the Leica III, leica IIIF Copies page] at [http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/ Innovative Cameras 135]
 
* [http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/LeicaCopy/copieleicaIII.html Wica cameras amongst others on the Leica III, leica IIIF Copies page] at [http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/ Innovative Cameras 135]
 
* [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1715343 Gerstendörfer Spezial Makro-Teleobjektiv 135mm f/6.3]: lot 300 of the [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/8902 March 25, 2006 Photographica and Film auction] by Auction Team Breker
 
* [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1715343 Gerstendörfer Spezial Makro-Teleobjektiv 135mm f/6.3]: lot 300 of the [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/8902 March 25, 2006 Photographica and Film auction] by Auction Team Breker
 +
* [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Gerstendoerfer-WICA-Enlarger/AI-32-36016 Wica ''enlarger''] with 75mm f/4.5 Berthiot Flor lens, sold at the 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction, in March 2018.
 +
* [https://coelncameras.com/blogs/coeln-cameras-blog/wica-wiener-camerawerkstaetten-35mm-camera Notes on the Wica and Gerstendörfer] at [https://coelncameras.com/ Coeln Cameras] (photographica pages of a camera dealer)
  
  

Latest revision as of 23:22, 17 January 2024

The Wica is a Leica copy (that is, a 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera) made by Wiener Camera Werkstätte and designed by Raimund Gerstendörfer of Vienna. It was presented in 1948 and is ultra rare: auction listings at Westlich auctions estimate that perhaps only 100 cameras were made. Gerstendörfer registered a patent for a 35mm camera in 1931, with the Vienna company Heindl & Petters;[1] it appears that the annexation of Austria by Germany, and the Second World War, delayed the development of the camera. Heindl & Petters probably made typewriters (to judge by their also holding at least ten patents relating to these[2]) and hoped to manufacture the camera. They had no involvement in the cameras eventually made.


The camera has a synchronized focal-plane shutter from 1/20 to 1/1000 second, with no slow speeds. In an article in the April 2005 issue of VÖAV, it is said it was advertised with a top speed of 1/1600, but this might be a mistake. The camera has a coupled rangefinder, separate from the viewfinder, a detachable back and an accessory shoe screwed to the top plate, but being essentially a hand crafted camera, there are variations:

  • early models:
    • short top plate (like the Leica screw models), with R. Gerstendörfer Wien and Wica engravings
    • 2-plug flash sync mounted at the top of the front plate
    • advance/rewind knob protruding from the front plate;
  • later models:
    • longer top plate, with Wica, MADE IN AUSTRIA and serial number black-filled engravings
    • recessed rewind knob, extracted by a side mounted lever
    • normal sync post at the bottom of the front plate
    • advance/rewind lever at the top of the front plate
    • different winding knob
    • higher shutter release

Some examples have a removable lens in a special mount (32mm fine thread), hand adjusted to the rangefinder. Some later cameras have a normal Leica thread mount. A few have a second, male thread to mount a long-focus lens.

Lenses reported in Wica mount:


Known examples at recent auctions and other known pictures:

  • s/n 15, Westlicht Auction 21/5/2005, short top plate marked R. Gerstendörfer Wien and Wica, 2-plug sync, A/R knob, with Steinheil Culminar 5cm/2.8 VL #506977 in Wica mount
  • s/n unknown, ebay auction, short top plate marked R. Gerstendörfer Wien and Wica, 2-plug sync, A/R knob, with Schneider Xenon 5cm/2 #1800997 in Wica mount
  • s/n 130, Westlicht Auction 15/11/2002, short top plate marked R. Gerstendörfer Wien and Wica, 2-plug sync, A/R knob, strap lugs with Berthiot Flor 5cm/2.8 #1800997 in Wica mount
  • s/n 139, Christies 8/6/1995, short top plate marked R. Gerstendörfer Wien and Wica, 2-plug sync, A/R knob, strap lugs with Rodenstock Heligon 5cm/2 #2039679 in Wica mount; the same camera was offered for sale again at the 40th Leitz Photographica Auction in June 2022.[3]
  • s/n 152, 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction.[4] Rodenstock Heligon 5cm f/2 no.2050479.
  • s/n unknown, pictured in McKeown, early model with both a 2-plug sync and a normal sync post, with an Angénieux 50/1.8 type S1 in Wica mount
  • s/n unknown, pictured in Jason Schneider's Camera Collecting book, volume III, late model with an Angénieux 50/1.8 type S1 in Wica mount
  • s/n 1017, Christies 8/6/1995, long top plate marked Wica and MADE IN AUSTRIA, normal sync, A/R lever, Angénieux 50/2.9 type Z2 #160700 in Wica mount
  • s/n 1018, 33rd Leitz Photographica Auction, November 2018.[5] Long top plate marked Wica and MADE IN AUSTRIA, Angenieux 50/2.9 type Z2 #124578
  • s/n 1026, 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction.[6] Angenieux Type Z2 50mm f/2.9, no.156751 in normal mount, and Tessar 18cm f/4.5, no.126549, the long lens with female M37 mount.
  • s/n 1040, Westlicht Auction 29/5/2004, long top plate marked Wica and MADE IN AUSTRIA, normal sync, A/R lever, Leica thread mount, sold with a fake SONNAR made in USSR
  • s/n 1042, late model with Leica thread mount, pictured in McKeown equipped with a Steinheil Quinon 50/2
  • s/n 1044, late model, pictured in McKeown with a Berthiot Flor 50/1.5 in Wica mount
  • s/n 1051, Westlicht Auction 23/5/2003, long top plate marked Wica and MADE IN AUSTRIA, normal sync, A/R lever, Angénieux 50/2.9 type Z2 #156141 in Wica mount
  • s/n 1XXX, late model with Leica thread mount, pictured in McKeown equipped with a Leica-Sonnar 5.8cm/1.5


Notes

  1. Austrian Patent 132821, Kinofilmcamera, registered in 1931 by Heindl and Petters of Vienna and granted in 1933, naming Raimund Gerstendörfer as the inventor; at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office.
  2. Patents 1900-50 held by Heindl & Petters, at Espacenet.
  3. Wica serial no. 139 offered for sale at the 40th Leitz Photographica Auction, June 2022: several good photographs of the camera.
  4. Wica serial no. 152, offered for sale at the 32nd Leitz Photographica Auction, in March 2018.
  5. Wica serial no. 1018, sold at the 33rd Leitz Photographica Auction, in November 2018.
  6. Wica serial no. 1026 and two lenses, sold at the 32nd Leitz auction, in March 2018.

Links


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