35mm camera design

elekm · Feb 16, 2013

Among the Germans, I really like Heinz Waaske and Hubert Nerwin. Both of them were deeply involved in camera design and often stepped in to improve existing products.

Waaske, who designed the Rollei 35 and later the Rolleimatic, later went on to work for Blaupunkt, while Nerwin eventually joined Graflex and was responsible for the Combat Graphic. Nerwin's other work included changes to the original Contax I and development of the Tenax II. Nerwin also worked for Kodak. You can read about Hubert Nerwin here.

And read about Heinz Waaske here.

Jim Jones · Feb 16, 2013

Ian Grant said:
. . . My own feeling is the Leicas didn't mature until the IIIf & g and the M series was already in the pipeline evolving fron the IV prototypes made before WWII.

Ian

Leicas from the early 30s had many of the fine features that gradually evolved into the IIIf. The IIIg was an intermediate step between the IIIf and M series. It's main advantage was the screw mount for older lenses. Leica was wise to drop it in favor of the M series which had a greater future. The best features of Leica have always been designs that were perfected before production began, and fine workmanship. I eventually beat my IIIf purchased new in 1953 to death. The M4 bought in 1970 is still going strong, although it shows much use.

E. von Hoegh · Feb 16, 2013

Two23 said:
You joke. I know you know the Rolleiflex is 120/ 6x6. Barnack was one of the first 35mm designers. The designer of the Ihagee Kine Prakitca is in the running too. Modern cameras are still based on his design.

I have a Leica IIIc (1942) and have been using it as my primary camera.

Kent in SD

I have one word for you...Rolleikin!

E. von Hoegh · Feb 16, 2013

Ian Grant said:
Zeiss Ikon designed the Nikon RF cameras so nothing innovative there apart from slight modifications. The Nikon F is essentially a rangefinder with a mirror box, just as the Zenit C (S) was 4 years earlier. The irony is modern Bessa and similar rangefinders from the same factory are based on a Cosina SLR minus the mirror box and prism.

Innovative designs where the Prakitana and very early East German made Contax acemeras and then the Pentax S.

My own feeling is the Leicas didn't mature until the IIIf & g and the M series was already in the pipeline evolving fron the IV prototypes made before WWII.

Ian

I'd call that titanium shutter pretty innovative.

Peltigera · Feb 16, 2013

cliveh said:
Was Oskar Barnack the best 35mm camera designer of all time?

No! My vote would go to Dr Nagel of Contessa Nagel, Zeiss Ikon and Kodak fame.

AgX · Feb 16, 2013

summicron1 said:
there was an agfa tourist or something like that that gave 100 shots per roll

It was the "Tourist Multiple" from 1913. Not from Agfa but from a US manufacturer:

http://historical-cameras.blogspot.de/2008/11/herbert-huesgen-tourist-multiple.html

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Feb 16, 2013

It was the "Tourist Multiple" from 1913. Not from Agfa but from a US manufacturer:

Dead Link Removed

What was the format of that camera , it looks as Indian Motocycle or Rolls, so beatiful.

cliveh · Feb 16, 2013

AgX said:
It was the "Tourist Multiple" from 1913. Not from Agfa but from a US manufacturer:

http://historical-cameras.blogspot.de/2008/11/herbert-huesgen-tourist-multiple.html

Thanks for that info, as I Googled "Tourist Multiple" and viewed many cameras that I didn't know existed. I was particularly impressed with the Cosmos 35, but I bet the batteries are difficult to come by.

AgX · Feb 16, 2013

It made 750 exposures of 18x24mm (half-frame).

Yashinoff · Feb 16, 2013

E. von Hoegh said:
I'd call that titanium shutter pretty innovative.

Why?

brucemuir · Feb 17, 2013

I thought the Contax was over designed into extinction???

The shutters look like a good idea on paper but were very complicated to work on.

Pioneer · Feb 18, 2013

brucemuir said:
I thought the Contax was over designed into extinction???

The shutters look like a good idea on paper but were very complicated to work on.

I dearly love using my Contax cameras but I think I have to agree with you on that note. After spending time with my Contax II, pulling out my little Leica II is just like a nice, simple, breath of fresh air sometimes. Both are wonderful designs in their own ways. I am not certain who was responsible for designing the original Contax cameras but Oskar Barnack certainly came up with a terrific little camera.

removed account4 · Feb 18, 2013

i am rather fond of the sept by debris
7 uses, 1 camera

E. von Hoegh · Feb 19, 2013

Yashinoff said:
Why?

Among other things, it's just about immune to having holes burned in it.

EASmithV · Feb 19, 2013

jnanian said:
i am rather fond of the sept by debris
7 uses, 1 camera

https://www.google.com/search?q=the...KV0QH07YCACg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1517&bih=693

??

OldBodyOldSoul · Feb 19, 2013

Probably this http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Debrie_Sept

removed account4 · Feb 19, 2013

OldBodyOldSoul said:
Probably this http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Debrie_Sept

BINGO

Andrew K · Feb 19, 2013

Wish I knew who designed the Canon T90

It is unique in my mind as a camera design, and is generally a joy to use...

AgX · Feb 20, 2013

As I already said, Canon had two design teams assigned in parallel for what should become the T90: an in-house team and Colani.

The T90 is kind of compromise between the designs of both groups.

In addition Colani also designed a new lens barrel including a new design on the bayonet lock, something which was completely skipped.

benjiboy · Feb 20, 2013

Another vote for the Canon T90, it's design was so influential in the shape and handling characteristics of so many of the subsequent and current cameras.

GarageBoy · Feb 20, 2013

The original pre Spotmatic era Pentaxes are classic
The Nikon F series, especially the F3/F4 just feel so good to use, and I'm a guy who doesn't care about ergonomics

Terry Christian · Feb 20, 2013

jnanian said:
argus ...

Argus C3 FTW!
Seriously, though, the lowly Argus deserves more respect than it gets.

Allan Swindles · Feb 21, 2013

A tribute to Yoshihisa Maitani - the Olympus OM system.

35mm camera design

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