AkArette

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The AkArette is a 35mm viewfinder camera with interchangeable lenses, made by Apparate & Kamerabau in Germany. The viewfinder was switchable between 50 and 75mm focal lengths. Interesting detail: the leaf shutter is part of the camera, set just behind the bayonet mount. Most leaf shutters are part of the lens, set between the lenses.

  • The Akarette took 24x32mm images and was produced in 1947.
  • The Akarette 0 was produced in 1949.
  • The Akarette I, produced 1948-1950, takes standard 24x36mm frames.
Fitted with an unmarked shutter, B, 1/25–1/200. The AKArette I shows two viewfinder windows, one for the 50mm lens at the left and a blue-tinted viewfinder window for the 75mm lens at right.
  • The Akarette II dates from 1950; possibly in production until 1954.[1]
Prontor-S leaf shutter B, 1-1/300s. The AKArette II possesses a switchable viewfinder for 50mm and 75mm lenses, which is operated by a lever or a knob (depending on the version). Using one viewfinder automatically obscures the other one.
Two variants are known, one with black chrome and bottom plates (like the AKArette I) and another with chrome top and bottom plates. The chrome version is presumed to be the later variant.


Lenses

The lenses can be used on both the AKArette and on the AKArette II. Note: there is no viewfinder for the 35mm lens. The available lenses and documented combinations include:

Lens   Akarette   Akarette 0   Akarette I   Akarette II
ISCO Göttingen color Isconar 50/2.8
Schneider Kreuznach Radionar 50/3.5 X X
Schneider Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 75/3.8
Schneider Kreuznach Xenagon 35/3.5
Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 45/2.8
Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 45/3.5 X
Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 50/3.5
Schneider Kreuznach Xenon 50/2.0 X

Notes

  1. Dates from McKeown, but the McKeowns give only 1950 for II; Alf Sigaro gives 1950-54.

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