Help decipher camera from picture.

[cjbecker]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[LiamG]

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]

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]

Here is where I was looking

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

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

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

 

[cjbecker]

Also it's a chrome body and all black lens

 

[Fixcinater]

Pentacon Six + Sonnar 180/2.8

 

[Fixcinater]

Might also be the 300/4 in P6 mount.

 

[LiamG]

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]

It is a 35mm camera

 

[resummerfield]

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]

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

 

[Yashinoff]

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

 

[LiamG]

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]

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

 

[AgX]

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]

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]

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]

AgX, indeed. A fun diversion at the least.

 

[cjbecker]

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]

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]

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??