My Vintage Voigtlander 'AVUS' plate camera

pentaxpete · Jan 22, 2016

i just did a Video on my 1930's Voigtlander 'AVUS' 9x12 cms plate camera and show an actual Darkroom print -- you can see it here :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzJNMUvr5z8

MDR · Jan 22, 2016

Thanks for the Video these old German plate cameras are extremely underrated and can't be beat for portability. The only downside is the lack of film choice in 9x12.

Ian Grant · Jan 22, 2016

MDR said:
Thanks for the Video these old German plate cameras are extremely underrated and can't be beat for portability. The only downside is the lack of film choice in 9x12.

Most films are available in 9x12 but not outside Continental Europe where it was the standard format instead of 5x4.

In terms of portability the Avus is beaten quite significantly by the 9x12 Patent Etui, the Avus is a similar size and weight to my Rodenstock (re-badged Welta) and Orion Werks 9x12, here's a comparison. Patent Etui on the left both with 135mm lenses.

While the other 9x12 cameras are heavier they are also easier to use hand-held due to their mass.

Ian

MDR · Jan 22, 2016

Ian I live in continental Europe and believe me 9x12 isn't available in most shops even those that sell sheet film and I am not aware of any color films cut to that format. I can get Foma and Ilford B/W in 9x12 that's it.
In regards to portability I meant compared to most 4x5 cameras Graflex included. I fully agree for handheld use there are better choices but a heavier light to midweight tripod+an old 9x12 camera is pretty lightweigt kit for LF.

apkujeong · Jan 22, 2016

Pentax Pete, I enjoyed watching the video. Thanks for making it and uploading. It was good particularly good to see a print made with the camera! I bolt a 9x12 Ideal to a Durst 606 frame with a home made (LED) light source on top to enlarge 9x12 negatives. I took the lid off a 9x12 film pack holder to convert it into a negative carrier.

Ian Grant · Jan 23, 2016

That's an excellent use of an obsolete film pack holder. Great idea.

Ian

apkujeong · Jan 23, 2016

Thanks Ian. I thought about getting some anti newton glass cut to make sure the negative sits completely flat, but it hasn't been a problem with 9x12 negatives, a bit of scotch tape carefully applied at the edges does help keep things in place. I've made prints using a 13x18 camera with the same arrangement (that needs some glass really), and finally got hold of a 10x15 film pack holder for the same purpose. Ideally I'd just get large format enlarger but they are still expensive in this part of the world.

Peter

AgX · Jan 23, 2016

I wondered about the name of that camera family.
My first thought was that its designation was derived from the abbreviated name of famous german racetrack (AVUS racetrack in Berlin) that actually was built in 1913, so that would fit.

There is though the chance that it could be derived from "Voigtländer und Sohn Aktiengesellschaft". Though I do not know whether that still was the company name by 1913.

AgX · Jan 23, 2016

Shutter setting:

M = Moment

Jerevan · Jan 23, 2016

AgX said:
Shutter setting:

M = Moment

I always thought it stood for "momentan" (augenblicklich) but I suppose it comes from me using the swedish equivalent.

AgX · Jan 23, 2016

momentan is german too

(Moment is the noun, momentan is the corresponding adverb, choose what you like...)

pentaxpete · Jan 24, 2016

thanks all for viewing and comments !!! Guten Abend ---

michr · Jan 24, 2016

That's a nice-looking print.

Renato Tonelli · Jan 24, 2016

This is a fun camera to use. I use mine with both 9x12 film and the Rada 120 (6x9). I was very pleased with the quality of the lens.

ZenziFriend · Feb 18, 2016

AgX said:
I wondered about the name of that camera family.
My first thought was that its designation was derived from the abbreviated name of famous german racetrack (AVUS racetrack in Berlin) that actually was built in 1913, so that would fit.

There is though the chance that it could be derived from "Voigtländer und Sohn Aktiengesellschaft". Though I do not know whether that still was the company name by 1913.

I am sure it stands for the racetrack! That was untramodern these days... I often drive along the AVUS in Berlin, the spectator stands are still there...
Voigtländer had illustrous camera names thes days, like Bergheil "hail the Mountain" and not abbreviations.

The Ernemann HEAG series is an abbriveation: H. Ernemann AG (H. Ernemann Aktiengesellschaft)

AgX · Feb 18, 2016

But the racetrack likely only got popular after WWI when actual racing on the track started. Thus it would not fit from this perspective.
I rather consider the manufacturer abbreviation more likely.

ZenziFriend · Feb 18, 2016

AgX said:
But the racetrack likely only got popular after WWII when actual racing on the track started. Thus it would not fit from this perspective.
I rather consider the manufacturer abbreviation more likely.

the AVUS was planned in 1909 and builit in 1913/14, but did not get ready due to WWI.
Opening and first race was 1921.

The AVUS camera started 1914.. but you are right:

Ok, just found a 1914 camera in the net, it says A.V.U.S. with dots on the camera, so it is really Altiengesellschft Voigtländer Und Sohn...

My Vintage Voigtlander 'AVUS' plate camera

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