Janua
|
| San Giorgio Janua image by Daniele Guerra (Image rights) |
The Janua is a Leica copy, made by San Giorgio in Genoa in about 1949.[1] It is a coupled-rangefinder camera for 24x36 mm pictures on 35 mm film. It has a focal-plane shutter with speeds 1 - 1/1000 second, plus 'B', all set with a single speed dial on the top housing.[2] According to Dario Mondonico, the shutter was not at first synchronised for flash; synchronisation, with a PC socket on the top, and a cold shoe, was standard only on late cameras, known as the Janua S; earlier cameras could be factory-modified to add synchronisation, in which case, the PC socket is usually on the front of the camera.[3] The viewfinder and rangefinder are combined in a single eyepiece, which has dioptric adjustment (-3 to +3 diopters).[3] Below the viewfinder is an extinction lightmeter, and there is an exposure calculator dial on the back of the camera for interpretation of the meter reading. The film speed is set with a pointer under the rewind knob.
The film is advanced with a winding knob, with a frame counter arranged around the knob, like that on a Leica II. The rewind release is by the shutter release. The camera is loaded by removing the base, again like the Leica.
The standard lens is a collapsible, coated Essegi 5 cm f/3.5.[4]
San Giorgio made various accessories for close-up, copying and photo-micrographic use.[2]
Notes
- ↑ 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). p867.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Janua serial no. 450195, with Essegi 5 cm f/3.5 lens and a kit of close-up and micrography accessories, offered at the 21st Westlicht Photographica Auction in May 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 San Giorgio company history and cameras, at Dario Mondonico's Mistermondo.com site.
- ↑ Essegi 5 cm f/3.5 sold at the tenth Westlicht auction, in November 2006.
Links
- S.G. Janua cameras and accessories at Fotocamere Italiane (Japanese)
- Janua San Giorgio at Italian Cameras 1946-1964 (in italian)
