Help decipher camera from picture.

cjbecker · Apr 11, 2013

This is a picture of Dick Proenneke who went up to Alaska and built a cabin on Twin Lakes.

Just wondering if anybody can decipher what camera kit he is using. The image was from right around 1978.

Jim Taylor · Apr 11, 2013

Maybe a Canon AE1? with something like the 400mm f2.8L? Pure guess though!

the main curiosity is why you ask... just general interest or with a specific reason?

cjbecker · Apr 11, 2013

Just general Interest. I'm getting ready to go to Alaska only a hundred ish miles away from where he lived. Im just interested in what he used becuase it worked great for him.

Andrey · Apr 11, 2013

If it's in Alaska, I'd guess he'd go with a camera which doesn't need batteries.

LiamG · Apr 11, 2013

that lens has a really strange look; it's the right size to be a 300/2.8- maybe the Nikon K preset model?

cjbecker · Apr 11, 2013

I'm not thinking its a Nikon. I went through all the older lenses and none look like that. All the 200 and up lenses either are not that big in diameter or have a huge front element with a straight hood.

cjbecker · Apr 11, 2013

Here is where I was looking

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html

TheFlyingCamera · Apr 11, 2013

That prism on the body also doesn't look Nikon - it has a Pentax-y feel to it. Or perhaps something more obscure?

cjbecker · Apr 11, 2013

Also it's a chrome body and all black lens

Fixcinater · Apr 11, 2013

Pentacon Six + Sonnar 180/2.8

Fixcinater · Apr 11, 2013

Might also be the 300/4 in P6 mount.

LiamG · Apr 11, 2013

Fixcinater said:
Pentacon Six + Sonnar 180/2.8

look at the size of the body vs. lens- could it be something like the Pentacon 300/4 on a 35mm body?

cjbecker · Apr 11, 2013

It is a 35mm camera

resummerfield · Apr 11, 2013

The shape of the prism suggests a Topcon, and the short, stubby lens looks like a 500mm mirror lens that was popular in that era. The tripod looks like a Miller F fluid head from the 60's.

LiamG · Apr 11, 2013

Body is an Exakta of some sort, lens is 300mm of some make; perhaps aforementioned Pentacon adapted to Exakta mount?

Yashinoff · Apr 11, 2013

In other pictures online it looks like he has an exakta ever-ready case hanging from his neck. So I'd second Exakta.

LiamG · Apr 11, 2013

Lens is either the Meyer 300mm F/4 for Exakta or the Pentacon re-brand of the same lens. I am cross referencing One Man's Wilderness. No mention of exact camera model or lens make, but it's an Exakta with a 300mm, and it sure looks like the Meyer lens in profile.

Yashinoff · Apr 11, 2013

The pushed forward shape of the prism would suggest a late IIa or a IIb. Or at least a prism from that era.

AgX · Apr 11, 2013

The camera body has a prominent blank-metal hinge or lock with a special contour. I guess that should be the first feature to start from.

Fixcinater · Apr 11, 2013

Sonnar 180mm matches tripod mounting location, flare-out near the front of the lens, and the sharp taper towards the lens mount.

The Pentacon Six seems to have similar film door hinge and below-the-body winding knob, as well as the shutter release canted forward.

It looks awfully thick (front to back) to be 35mm.

AgX · Apr 11, 2013

The pentaprism may be shaded by the rim of the cap. And the hinge/lock looks different than that on a Praktica Six.
But I'm not sure what kind of artifacts we see at thad bad photo.

EDIT:
it may be even mirrored...

Fixcinater · Apr 11, 2013

AgX, indeed. A fun diversion at the least.

cjbecker · Apr 11, 2013

The pics was taken a video shot on either 8mm or 16mm not sure what he was using at the time. The only thing that he writes about is that he carried a 8mm the first year then a 16mm for the next years and also took in a 35mm reflex camera

LiamG · Apr 11, 2013

More Readings From One Man's Wilderness

p.414-5, under April 1 (1979)- "Cloudy bright and a fair breeze down after lunch. I would take the heavy tripod Exakta and 300mm lens down to see the nesting owl."

he clearly had a 400mm lens for the exakta too, but any 400/5.6 wouldn't look so short and squat.

AgX · Apr 11, 2013

But a Praktica Six would be bigger. Or not?
And I'm not sure about that rim of the cap any longer... If this bright line is no white trimming, then I guess it really is a slit between the rim and the viewfinder casing.

That thing underneath the camera is strange... Yes, it might be a knob.

By the way: what is the price in this quiz??

Help decipher camera from picture.

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