Casting About

[thuggins]

This isn't necessarily a MF question, but does come about from an MF camera.

I recently completed my collection of Dr. Rodehuser's cameras, both of them. While fondling them, as I am wont to do, the construction of the "film door" is most striking. On the 120 size the door is hinged and opens with a unique knob latch. The 127 has a removable back held in place with springs. But in both cases they are aluminum castings that have been precisely machined.

I have a lot of cameras. But every single one that has a film door of some sort (as opposed to a VPK/Barnack or other variations) has a stamped, sheet metal door regardless of how the body is made. The Super Graphic doesn't count for obvious reasons, even though the back is a nice aluminum casting. Nor do wooden cameras with wooden doors.

Are these cameras unique? Any others where both the body and the film door are castings?

 

[itsdoable]

I had to google Dr. Rodehüser - there seems to be one reference repeated over again, but what an odd story.

The Rolleiflex SL35E used a cast aluminium film door, but it was a conventional "door", unlike like the Dr Rodehüser Panta.

I will point out that Hasselblad V film backs use a cast aluminium door!

 

[BobD]

Are these cameras unique? Any others where both the body and the film door are castings?

The Kodak Signet 35 and some other Kodaks. The Medalist, maybe?

 

[ic-racer]

The film door on my Nikonos-V is cast.