Certofix

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is a stub. You can help Camera-wiki.org by expanding it.

Certofix, Certotix and Certix are all cameras in a line of 6x9 cm format folders produced by the German company Certo.

Certofix

The Certofix is the first in a line of vertical-folding cameras for 6×9 cm exposures on 120 film, made by Certo in about 1930.[1] According to McKeown, this model was first renamed the Certotix, and very soon afterward renamed again to the Certix, in 1931.[2]
There are Certofix cameras observed online with and without a foldable wire frame finder.

  • Production : from 1930 to 1931
  • Format : 8 exposures of 6 x 9 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  • Observed Lens/Shutter combinations:
    Schneider Radionar Anastigmat 6.3/10.5 cm lens in a Vario leaf shutter
    Schneider Radionar 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Vario or Compur leaf shutter
  • Focus system : By turning the Frontlens
  • Viewfinder : Brilliant finder up front and sometimes a Foldable Wire frame finder on the side.
  • Color Finish : Black and aluminum
  • Color Leatherette : Black
  • Dimensions WxHxD : ??x??x?? mm (folded)
  • Weight: ??? grams


Certotix

In about 1931 the Certofix was renamed to Certotix.

  • Production : from c.1931 to c.1931
  • Format : 8 exposures of 6 x 9 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  • Observed Lens/Shutter combinations:
    Schneider Radionar Anastigmat 6.3/10.5 cm lens in a Vario or Pronto leaf shutter
    Schneider Radionar 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Vario leaf shutter
  • Focus system : By turning the Frontlens
  • Viewfinder : Brilliant finder up front and a Foldable Wire frame finder on the side.
  • Color Finish : Black and aluminum
  • Color Leatherette : Black
  • Dimensions WxHxD : ??x??x?? mm (folded)
  • Weight: ??? grams


Certix

In about 1931 the Certotix was renamed to Certix.

  • Production : from c.1931 to c.1935
  • Format : 8 exposures of 6 x 9 cm or (with mask) 16 exposures of 4.5 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  • Observed Lens/Shutter combinations:
    Ceronar Anastigmat 6.3/10.5 cm lens in a Vario leaf shutter
    Certar Anastigmat 4.5/10.5 cm lens in an unknown [3] leaf shutter
    Ceronar Anastigmat 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Compur leaf shutter.
  • Focus system : By turning the Frontlens
  • Viewfinder : Brilliant finder up front and a Foldable Wire frame finder on the side.
  • Color Finish : Black and aluminum
  • Color Leatherette : Black
  • Dimensions WxHxD : 80x157x35 mm (folded)
  • Weight: 460 - 515 grams (lens/shutter dependend)


Certix A

Similar to the Certix but covered in ribbed robusit. Most basic version only in the 6 x 9 cm format.

  • Production : from c.1935 to c.????
  • Format : 8 exposures of 6 x 9 cm or (optional, with mask) 16 exposures of 4.5 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  • Observed Lens/Shutter combinations:
    Anastigmat 7.7/10.5 cm lens in a Vario leaf shutter
    Certar 6.3/10.5 cm lens in a Vario or unknown [3] leaf shutter
    Schneider Radionar 6.3/10.5 cm lens in a Prontor leaf shutter
    Certar 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Prontor leaf shutter
    Steinheil Actinar 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Pronto leaf shutter
    Meyer Trioplan 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Prontor II leaf shutter
  • Focus system : By turning the Frontlens
  • Viewfinder : Brilliant finder up front and a Foldable Wire frame finder on the side.
  • Color Finish : Black and aluminum
  • Color Leatherette : Black
  • Dimensions WxHxD : ??x??x?? mm (folded)
  • Weight: ??? grams


Certix B

Similar to the Certix A but more luxuary. Covered with real leatherette, a body shutter release and viewfinder now on the side of the winder knob.
As of c.1937 with a modified optical viewfinder and 3 Film frame formats possible..

  • Production : from c.1935 to c.????
  • Format : 8 exposures of 6 x 9 cm or (with mask) 12 exposures of 6 x 6 cm or (with mask) 16 exposures of 4.5 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm.
  • Observed Lens/Shutter combinations:
    Certar 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Prontor leaf shutter
    Steinheil Actinar 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Prontor II leaf shutter
    Carl Zeiss Tessar 4.5/10.5 cm lens in a Compur-Rapid leaf shutter
  • Focus system : By turning the Frontlens
  • Viewfinder : Brilliant finder up front and a foldable Wire frame finder on the side, from c.1937 onwards a foldable optical finder only.
  • Color Finish : Black and aluminum
  • Color Leatherette : Black
  • Dimensions WxHxD : ??x??x?? mm (folded)
  • Weight: ??? grams


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). p194.
  2. The serial number of 355xxx given for the lens on a Certofix example formerly pictured supports a date of 1930-31; see Age of Lenses at Schneider Optics.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Unknown everset leaf shutter could be from Balda. This still needs proof.

Links