Mephisto
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The Mephisto is a cylindrical box-camera for 4x6cm plates, from about 1910; a close copy of the American Photake of 1895. The body of the camera is of plated metal, and made up of top and bottom cylindrical parts, mated together. Five plates are arranged around the side of the inner body, with a hole opposite each. The lens, on a short tube, is mounted on the outer body, and this is rotated to bring it in line with one of the holes, and so bear on the the corresponding plate. In the centre of the body, a trapezoidal tube prevents light spilling onto the other plates. The camera's shutter is a separate item, attached to the front of the lens. It has a detachable reflex finder.
Links
- Mephisto outfit including camera, shutter unit, printing frame and safelight, sold at the 42nd Leitz Photographica Auction, in September 2023.
- Mephisto a second example of the camera, sold at the 28th Westlicht Auction, in November 2015. The auctioneer's notes state that only three surviving cameras are known of.
