Altiflex

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The Altiflex is a German TLR camera made between 1937 and 1949 by Eho-Altissa in Dresden. It makes 2¼-inch square pictures on 120 roll film. There are four models.[1]

Altiflex (original model)

The original Altiflex, from 1937, has the nameplate in a perpendicular font, in capitals (i.e. not in script font as pictured here). The lens is either an f/3.5 or f/4.5 Ludwig Victar or Rodenstock Trinar, in a Prontor II or Compur shutter. The viewing and taking lenses are the same (some TLR cameras have a wider-aperture viewing lens). The camera is focused using the lever on the right side. The hood has a hinged focusing loupe. The shutter is cocked manually. On the example pictured in McKeown, the release is also on the shutter, but he states that better examples have a body release linkage (as shown on the Altiflex I pictured here).

To load the film, the back, bottom and both sides detach. The film is wound with a knob on the right of the body. Film advance is checked through a red window on the bottom.

At least some of the cameras have the old series of aperture markings (f/3.5, 4.5, 5.3, 8, 12, 18 and 25).

Altiflex Trojan

The Altiflex Trojan, also from 1937, is hardly a model in its own right. McKeown states that it is identical to the original Altiflex, except for the name 'Trojan' impressed in the leatherette of the back. It is possible that the 'Trojan' name was simply put on some batches of cameras for particular customers. the example pictured in McKeown has the capital-lettered nameplate, but one on Michael Spehr's 'Altissa-Museum' site has the script nameplate of the Altissa I.[2] It is possible that the introduction of the script nameplate did not correspond with the start of the new model.


Altiflex I

As mentioned above, the Altiflex I, also introduced in 1937, has the nameplate in script font. It has a wider range of lenses, including f/4.5, f/3.5 and f/2.9 Victar, f/4.5, f/3.5 and f/2.9 Trinar, and f/4.5 or f/3.5 Laack Pololyt. They were in an un-named shutter, a Prontor II or a Compur shutter.

The red window is now in the back of the camera. It has a sliding cover. Some examples have an Eho badge on the front of the hood.

Altiflex II

The Altiflex II, from 1938, has a 'sports' frame-finder built into the hood, as on many TLR cameras. It also has a double-exposure prevention mechanism. The lenses are now Trinar or Pololyt as before, or an 8 cm f/2.9 Pololyt, or f/2.9 Steinheil Cassar. The film advance knob is now metal instead of plastic.

A camera directory published in the May 1938 issue of Popular Photography lists the Altiflex II as being available with a Victar 75mm f/4.5 in either an Auto or Compur shutter, or a Trinar f/3.5 or f/2.9 in a Compur shutter.


Notes

  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). p255.
  2. Altissa Trojan at Altissa-Museum (archived).

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