[rollei_list] Re: INFO REQUEST
- From: "Richard Knoppow" <dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 16:15:00 -0800
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Lehrer" <jerryleh@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 3:33 PM
Subject: [rollei_list] Re: INFO REQUEST
Peter,
Waddaya mean "MIGHT predate the Exakta? Nat. Graf II--
1934,
Exakta 66-- 1938.
I'm sure that Richard can fill you in on "why 620?",
'cause I'm too tired.
Jerry
Ihagee made 2 versions of the Exakta 66. The pre-war
version had the film running horizontally, as in the Exakta
Original and later 35mm models. This camera was made from
about 1938. The second version had the film running
vertically in interchangible backs a'la the Hassleblad,
these were made from about 1954. The standard lens was an
80mm, f/2.8 Tessar. I remember that these had a bad
reputation but I don't remember the details.
The Exakta's were much more sophisticated cameras than
any of the Graflex models.
I don't know for certain about the use of 120 rather than
620 film in the National Graflex, but remember that F&S had
been divested from Kodak for 7 years by the time this camera
appeared. While F&S and Graflex continued to have a close
association with Kodak it was not managed by Kodak.
Roll films on small diameter spools appear to have
originated at Kodak (as had roll film altoghether for that
matter). While the ostensible reason was to allow making
cameras with shallower bodies I rather think the actual
reason was to force camera owners into using Kodak film. I
don't know how long it was until others began supplying roll
film on the smaller spools but it must have been pretty
quickly.
AFAIK, Kodak never made a roll film camera aimed at the
professional. Even the Medalist was essentially a very high
end (expensive) snapshot camera. Its possible the Ektra may
have been aimed at a professional market but I don't think
so. Both the Leica or Contax, its main competitors were
mainly sold to amateurs although both were used by some
pros. To me both the Medalist and Ektra show signs of not
having been thought out very well either as to design or
market. Too bad because both had outstanding lenses.
AFAIK, Ken Ruth is about the only tech who undertakes the
modification of the Medalist. My understanding is that there
is not much margin for error in machining the body to accept
the larger spools.
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
---
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