"anaca", a Spanish-made LF camera

BlueWind · Jul 2, 2017

Hello
I have no experience (and no knowledge) with LF cameras. Two days ago I was buying a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar lens from a seller in a flea-market but he refused to sell the lens without the camera.
So I am the owner of a rusty & heavy "anaca" camera. Peeling paint, rust, dust, but the lens is clean and the bellows seem to be in a decent condition (seen from the outside). The shutter is paralyzed, the ground glass is fine. Probably there are missing parts...

Photos here

http://www.ipernity.com/doc/335383/album/992098

I would like to find some information about this model: I know that these cameras were made in Spain, and the manufacturer also made enlargers and smaller cameras, between 1950 and 1980 (I am not sure about the precise dates).
I would be grateful if someone could provide me some aditional information, or point some directions I should search.

Thank you in advance
Joao

Dan Fromm · Jul 2, 2017

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en..._occt=any&safe=active&as_filetype=&as_rights=

Patrick Robert James · Jul 2, 2017

Can't help you with the camera but, if it separates, that front iris mount is probably worth more than you paid for the camera!

If I were you I would do a quickie refurb on it. Google on how to get rid of the rust off the rails (acid and steel wool) and fix any pinholes. At the very least, you have a cool decoration!

BlueWind · Jul 3, 2017

Dan : Thank you for the link. I had tried before and did not get so many entries...
Patrick : Yes, I will try to restore it . And the iris mount separates from the camera. But to use the camera I need to find (or build???) suitable negative holders and a very sturdy tripod

Thank you for the input
Regards
Joao

Martin Rickards · Jul 3, 2017

Anaca still exists, but is exclusively dedicated to graphic Arts. Both their LF cameras and enlargers were considered high quality.

AgX · Jul 3, 2017

Interesting to see a view-camera with a regular iris lens-holder instead of a plain sheet.

BlueWind · Jul 11, 2017

Hello
I am still struggling with this ANACA LF camera; some parts were sent to re-chroming, lots of rust and dust removed, disassemble almost complete (there are still a few stubborn rusty screws holding metal and wood together). The belows is in better shape than I expected - just a few visible cracks .
This is definitely a studio camera, probably conceived for portraits; the ground glass is vertical (13 cm x 18 cm).
I was not able to get specific information concerning film holders for this camera.
Considering that it was made in the mid-fifties, do you think that a generic 5X7 or 13X18 film holder will be compatible ?
Or should I look for some brand-specific film holder (I don't even know if such a thing exists)??
Thank you in advance for your sugestions
Regards
Joao

Martin Rickards · Jul 12, 2017

It would probably have used the 13x18 cm film holders, bearing in mind what was available in Spain at the time.

AgX · Jul 12, 2017

But from that period it should take both 5x7 and 13x18 as then already the "international backs" had been introduced, where backs and holders were designed in outer size for the respective larger format.

BlueWind · Jul 12, 2017

The outer sizes of 5 X 7 and 13 X 18 film holders is similar, from what I have read.
So my choice will depend on the availability (and price !) of Black & White film in Europe, for both sizes.
Any advice ??
Thanks
Joao

Jockos · Jul 13, 2017

BlueWind said:
The outer sizes of 5 X 7 and 13 X 18 film holders is similar, from what I have read.
So my choice will depend on the availability (and price !) of Black & White film in Europe, for both sizes.
Any advice ??
Thanks
Joao

I think 5x7 is more common. I order all my film from Germany, and they usually have both sizes available!

AgX · Jul 13, 2017

In continental Europe the metric formats came under pressure with some imported films only available in imperial formats.

paul ewins · Jul 13, 2017

BlueWind said:
...
This is definitely a studio camera, probably conceived for portraits; the ground glass is vertical (13 cm x 18 cm).
...

You should be able to remove the back and rotate it 90 degrees and reattach it to change from portrait to landscape orientation.

BlueWind · Jul 17, 2017

paul ewins said:
You should be able to remove the back and rotate it 90 degrees and reattach it to change from portrait to landscape orientation.

Paul
Thank you for the sugestion, that might be possible - I will check that possibility when I have the camera with me.
Regards
Joao

"anaca", a Spanish-made LF camera

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency