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This is a Miroflex B strut folding camera made by Zeiss Ikon in Stuttgart between 1926 and 1936. This is a very early camera with a wooden lens board and a flip up wire finder. The camera serial number (M42112) suggests a date of 1926. The serial number of the Tessar lens shows this was made in 1924 which indicates that this is one of the very first Miroflex cameras made by Zeiss Ikon after the 1926 merger. It is a 9 x 12cm format camera and will operate as a press camera or as an SLR with the hood up. The camera is in excellent cosmetic condition and in good working order.
Cosmetic condition (to be read in conjunction with the photographs)The leather on the body of the camera is complete with no scuffs, tears or missing areas of leather. The black painted lens board has one to two marks, but is generally in very good condition. There is some paint loss on the black painted wire frame finder. The ‘Miroflex’ and ‘Zeiss Ikon’ logos are in perfect condition, as are the nickel plated struts. The bellows and the hood are also in excellent condition as is the viewing hood on the rear of the camera. The original carry handle is complete and strong.
Operational ConditionThe camera opens as it should from its closed position to operate either as a press camera or an SLR. The lens board pulls out to reveal the bellows and a final pull clicks the viewing hood/focussing screen box into place. The hood itself pops up from its box on the press of a button. The ground glass in both the top and rear viewing screens are unbroken and provide a clear image. The internal mirror works well. The focal plane curtains wind well and the shutter fires although the second curtain, which is slightly rippled, tends to stick in the open position. This is a very complex mechanism and it would need to be expertly tested if you intend to use the camera. The rear pop up viewfinder is of an unusual design and may be incomplete. The lens is a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/4.5 with a focal length of 150mm. Focussing is a little stiff but works well and the aperture opens and closes smoothly. The lens appears to be clean and fungus free. The focussing back slides off smoothly on releasing the locking clip. The lens standard has vertical and horizontal movements which work as they should. The camera took 9 x 12 plates or film backs. This is a substantial camera. Dimensions with the camera completely folded are 19.5 x 14.5 x 9cm and the camera weighs just over 2.3kg.
Overall, this is an excellent example of this impressive camera, one of the earliest made by Zeiss Ikon.
This camera has not been tested with film and as with any camera of this age it would probably benefit from a general mechanical service if you intend to use it. I check all lenses for fungus as best I can, but do not guarantee that any lens is entirely fungus free. I recommend having any lens professionally cleaned if you intend to use the camera. Due to the age of this camera it is being sold as seen without warranty. Due to the weight of this camera it will be sent by courier which means the cost of shipping will be slightly higher than normal.
Buyers outside the UK. I use eBay’s Global Shipping Service to send items outside the UK. eBay will not combine shipping costs on these items, so if you are interested in more than one item, please contact me before buying. Thank you. Returns. I will always accept returns if items are not as described. No returns for any other reason. Buyers outside the UK must pay return postage.
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Category: Cameras and Photography:Vintage Photography:Vintage Cameras:Folding Cameras
Location: Basingstoke