Certonet

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search

The Certonet is a folding camera made by Certo from about 1926.[1] It is vertical-folding, and metal bodied. Most models are covered with black leatherette; the Luxus camera is covered with real leather.

The Certonet was Certo's model XV in 1926, in two versions, both for 6×9 cm exposures (2¼×3¼ inch) on 120 film. The front standard simply pulls out on rails. It has a brilliant finder. McKeown does not mention a wire-frame finder for this model, but an example apparently of this model, seen as an auction lot has one.[2] McKeown lists two types; a standard model XV, and model XV/0, which appears to differ mostly in being less well-specified as to lenses and shutters (Vario or Pronto). The standard model has either an Ibsor or Compur, and the lenses available include a Meyer Trioplan, Eurynar, Goerz Dagor or Dogmar, Xenar and Tessar.

The camera was updated in 1928. The new version has radial-lever focusing, as pictured here. It now has both a brilliant finder and a wire-frame finder. The standard Certonet (still catalogued as model XV) now has front rise.[3] It has a wipe-clean card in a holder on the back, for notes (similar to the note-panel on sone Super Sport Dolly cameras). The shutter is still an Ibsor or Compur, and there is a very wide range of lenses, again including a Trioplan, Eurynar, Xenar or Tessar, and now a Plaubel Anticomar or Pecomat.

McKeown also lists a 'model XIV' Certonet, which is for 6.5×11 cm exposures (2½×4¼ inch; presumably on 116 film); it seems to be a junior version of the camera, with only a limited choice of lenses, a Vario shutter, and no radial focusing.

There is a 'Luxus' version of the Certonet, from 1931,[1] with brown leather. Again, it has radial focusing, and the note-card on the back.[4]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 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). p195.
  2. Certonet in a lot of several folding cameras (second from left in the first image), sold in April 2005 by Auction Team Breker in Cologne.
  3. Certonet, 1928 or later, with unidentifiable lens, dial-set Compur shutter with front rise and radial-lever focusing, formerly shown at Ulf-W. Steinke's Cyberbull's home.
  4. Certonet Luxus with f/4.5 Tessar and Compur shutter with front rise and radial focusing; sold at the seventeenth Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 29 May 2010.