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2 cameras for the price of 1!
This is a set of 2 German half frame cameras, made by Pentacon in th early 1960’s.
They are half frame cameras meaning that on a 24 exposure 35mm film, you get 48 images, each half the normal 35/24mm format. In addition, these cameras were designed to use the East German SL (speed loading or schnell lade) system. This used 2 cassettes and the film was run completely from one to the other getting rid of the need to rewind the film. This means that you can’t just load an ordinary 35mm cassette. I have included one cassette but they are available for you to laod in the darkroom – just google around.
There are 2 models here, the earlier original Penti and a Penti II which was the top of the range model with a built in selenium meter. They both come with their original case. For the Penti, it’s brown leatherette and fine grey leather with the Pentacon logo impressed into the lens cover for the Penti II.
The Penti is burgundy and gold and as I’m not sure that it works, it’s for display only. In these cameras, the film is wound forward by pressing in the protruding knob which shoots out when the shutter button is pressed (at least it does so perfectly on the Penti II).
Back to the Penti, it’s really well made with a Meyer Optik 30mm f3.5 lens and adjustable focusing, aperture and shutter speed rings circling the lens.
It’s quite diminutive at 10.5 cm x 6.5cm x 4.5cm (not including the film advance which protrudes 2cm).
It’s beautifully finished with an embossed pattern to the gold front and rear covers and its curvy shape is very fondlable.
The Penti II is slightly bulkier thanks to the built in meter and it also features the Meyer Optik 30mm f3.5 lens. You set the film speed (15 – 24 DIN) underneath the lens and then press the button on top to activate the meter, matching the meter needle by adjusting the shutter speed and/or the aperture.
It’s 10.5 cm x 7.0cm x 4.5cm (not including the film advance which protrudes 2cm).
It’s an awful lot of technology for the era packed into a very small package.
Treat yourself to a piece of camera history and put these beauties on display.
You can find more information on relaoding SL cassettes here: https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/agfa-rapid-cassettes-an-answer-for-a-question-not-asked.170076/
The postage cost covers Royal Mail charges including insurance for a tracked signed-for delivery to UK destinations.
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Category: Cameras and Photography:Vintage Photography:Vintage Cameras:Other Vintage Cameras
Location: Edinburgh