127 folders: is this Piccolette factory finished?

walter23 · Feb 25, 2009

This is a weird Zeiss / Contessa Piccolette finished in snakeskin. Is that a factory finish or an after-the-fact modificaton? Interesting camera... and with film still in it might have some unusual pictures

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&item=370162253959

elekm · Feb 25, 2009

I don't believe it's original, because a factory covering would still allow for the camera maker (either Zeiss Ikon or Contessa Nettel) to have its logo visible in some manner.

Plus, I know that it was the roaring 1920s, but I don't think that snakeskin was fashionable for photographic equipment of that era.

Seriously though, I don't think it's OEM, although it appears to be very nicely done.

The Piccolette is easy to cover, because most of the cameras had no covering -- just black paint.

Also, this has a very inexpensive lens and shutter combo, which goes against the bling. Of course, bling and high end were never kissing cousins, as we continue to learn from popular culture.

IloveTLRs · Feb 25, 2009

I think I played with one of these at a camera fair last year (it was on a junk table.) I'm almost positive the cover is not original.

The shutter on the one I played with seemed quite fragile.

walter23 · Feb 25, 2009

I have a piccolette (not covered like this) and I like the shutter more than the similar one on the vest pocket kodaks - seems a bit more reliable.. but these were mass produced cameras and not as solid as some. Anyone know how many piccolette's were made?

archphoto · Feb 25, 2009

I don't think knows what he is selling at best or something else......
Since when is rollfilm perforated ?????

Still nice old camera's.

Peter

elekm · Feb 25, 2009

For a while, I thought these were uncommon, but they aren't. They seem to come up with some regularity on eBay. I have one with a triplet and also one with a dial-set Compur and a Tessar. Both of my cameras are Contessa-Nettel products.

The camera survived the 1926 merger that created Zeiss Ikon. Production continued until 1931. It's not clear when the first Piccolette was produced, but I think it was around 1919 or 1920, first as a Contessa-Nettel product. That means the camera had an 11-year run, which is long by any standard.

I have a short writeup on the camera on my site.

walter23 · Feb 26, 2009

Cool, thanks elekm. I also thought they weren't common and paid something stupid like $36+shipping for the one I got (with the meniscus lens). I've picked up kodak VPKs for $10 or thereabouts with a bit of patience, but then there are usually 5 or 10 of those listed at any time.

127 folders: is this Piccolette factory finished?

walter23

elekm

IloveTLRs

walter23

archphoto

elekm

walter23

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