Olbia pseudo TLR

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16601859706_d2280f2b2c.jpg
Olbia Eikon, seen thru reflex finder of another Olbia
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

The Olbia 6x6 pseudo TLR is an Omega Eikon with a better Gitzo shutter. This can be demonstrated by the fact that the 'Olbia' Label riveted on top of the viewfinder covers up the 'Omega' brand markings which are embossed into the viewfinder lid.[1] Apparently the Swiss watch manufacturer Omega objected to the use of the name, forcing the proprietors to change their branding.[2] The Olbia 6x6 is a pseudo TLR, sporting a large Brilliant finder that projects a mirror imaged view. The camera body is made of Bakelite with a folding metal viewfinder cover and a metal back. The camera takes 620 film.

The following models and variants are known (for completeness sake the Omega Eikon is also included here).

Omega Eikon
The metal lid shows an embossed embossed 'Omega'. The Bakelite body bears the name "Eikon" below the taking lens.[3]

  • (1946-47; sold until 1950) with an umarked (Gitzo?) shutter 150-100-50-25-B-T.
    • H Roussell Trylor 75mm f4.5[4]
      • Film pressure plate is fastened to camera back with four screws[5]
      • Film pressure plate is fastened to camera back with two screws
        • Face-plate surrounding the taking lens has a small Omega sign at the bottom[6]
        • Face-plate surrounding the taking lens redesigned without the Omega sign[7]
3826099792_309e33d782_w.jpg
Omega Eikon, Olbia (export model) and Olbia (domestic)
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)
   




Olbia Eikon
The name plate "Olbia" is rivetted on the lid, but the embossed 'Omega' can still be read from the inside. The Bakelite body still bears the name "Eikon" below the taking lens. Film pressure plate is fastened to camera back with two screws.

  • (<1947-?) with an umarked (Gitzo?) shutter 150-100-50-25-B-T
    • H Roussell Trylor 75mm f4.5
      • Face-plate surrounding the taking lens has a small Omega sign at the bottom[8]


Olbia
The name plate "Olbia" is rivetted on the lid, the embossed 'Omega' can still be read from the inside. The word "Eikon" under the taking lens is replaced by a solid, raised bar.[9]

  • (<1947-?) with an unnamed shutter 150-100-50-25-B.
3051987511_828e38f5f6.jpg
Gitzo Olbia (6×6 pseudo TLR) (export model)
image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)
  • (1948->1952) with a Gitzo shutter 200-150-100-50-25-B (GITZ∆-PARIS Type A with pretensioning, no flash connector)
    • H Roussell Trylor 75mm f4.5 (common combination)
      • English-language face-plate (export model); the ring holding the viewing lens in place has a thin rim.
        • orange-golden face-plate [10]
        • black face-plate [11]
    • Berthiot Trylor 75mm f4.5
  • (1948->1952) with a Gitzo shutter 200-B (GITZ∆-PARIS Type A with pretensioning and flash connector)
    • H Roussell Trylor 75mm f4.5 (common combination)
      • French-language face plate; the ring holding the viewing lens in place has a thick rim [12]
  • (1948->1952) with a Gitzo shutter 400-200-150-100-50-25-B ( (GITZ∆-PARIS)

Olbia
The name plate 'Olbia' is rivetted on the lid. The metal viewfinder lid lacks the blind-stamped text 'Omega' under the rivetted Olbia plate.[14]

  • (1948->1952) with a Gitzo shutter 200-B (GITZ∆-PARIS Type A with pretensioning and flash connector)
  • (>1952) with Olbia shutter B, 1-400
    • Olbia Anastigmat 75mm f4.5[17]
  • (>1952) with Pronto shutter B, 25-200
    • Olbia Anastigmat 75mm f4.5[18]


3119178961_3fbed11e2f_m.jpg
Export Model (B-200)
with golden shutter face plate 		3119125783_cf13e80fa0_m.jpg
Focusing hood closed 		3119929532_8e337f8ca1_m.jpg
Focusing hood open 		3119127417_0889448177_m.jpg
Front view
3241211786_86bf55c8af_m.jpg
Export Model (B-200)
with black face plate 		3119932070_cd86efeaef_m.jpg
View of the Viewfinder 		3119939388_9f71fca1a2_m.jpg
The 'Omega" name visible on
the inside of the viewfinder lid 		3241204508_4b760e593b_m.jpg
The leather case
images by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)


Notes and References

  1. ↑ As can be seen in this photograph: [1]
  2. ↑ A common notion on internet pages. While this is a reasonable assumption, it still needs proper verification, however
  3. ↑ Catalogue Photo-Plait 1948-49, p. 23; 1949, p. 23; 1949-50, p. 32; 1950, p. 33
  4. ↑ Coated and uncoated lens versions were offered (see Catalogue Photo-Plait 1948-49, p. 23). .—Example with and without lens serial numbers are known.
  5. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  6. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  7. ↑ Seen in an online auction
  8. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  9. ↑ It seems that the mould for the Bakelite body was simply altered rather than recut.
  10. ↑ Roussel trylor no number Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann; Sylvain Halgand Olbia Export.
  11. ↑ Roussel trylor nº 319936 ; Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  12. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann; Catalogue Photo-Plait 1949-50, p. 32; 1950, p. 33; Hiver 1950-51, p. 32; 1951, p. 34; 1952, p. 22; 1953, p. 10; Hiver 1954/5, p. 10; 1954, p. 10.—Sylvain Halgand Olbia.— Gerard Langlois Olbia
  13. ↑ Gerard Langlois Olbia
  14. ↑ It is unclear why the stencil for the viewfinder lid was changed.
  15. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann.
  16. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann.
  17. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann.
  18. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann.
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