Luckyflex
The Luckyflex is a twin-lens reflex camera for 24x36 mm images on standard 35 mm film. It was made by the Milan company GGS in about 1947.[1][2]
The camera has 50 mm f/3.2 Solar Anastigmat viewing and taking lenses, the same lens as used on the more conventional 35 mm viewfinder Lucky.[3] This has front-element focus, and the viewing and taking lenses are linked by direct, visible gearing (similar to the Lubitel 166B). The shutter has speeds from 1/20 to 1/300 second, plus 'B', and is manually cocked. The shutter release is at the bottom of the right side of the body.
The camera has a rectangular ground-glass screen, in a folding focusing hood, with a loupe, and with a folding front panel forming a 'sports-finder'.[4]
The film runs vertically in the camera (so that vertically-oriented photographs are naturally easier to take than horizontal ones). The film advance is by a knob in the first cameras made, replaced later by a lever on the right hand side.[3] The rewind knob is in the hub of the advance lever, and there is a frame counter below the lever.
The back and left side of the camera are removable for loading.[4] There is a depth-of-field table on the back.
Notes
- ↑ According to Dario Mondonico, cited below; McKeown gives the date as about 1948.
- ↑ 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). p344.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Luckyflex and other GGS cameras, together with some company history (text in Italian), at Dario Mondonico's Mistermondo.com.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Luckyflex offered for sale at the seventeenth Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 29 May 2010; several excellent pictures.
Links
- GGS Luckyflex (pdf) at Italian Cameras 1946-1964 (in italian)
