Ophthalmology cameras?

[18percentgrey]

I have an opportunity to purchase some specialized 35mm cameras.(ophthalmology type) I believe these were produced or modified specifically to be used on special equipment . I see the Canon FA on the internet going for anywhere from $220-1000? Except as collectors items, do these have any practical use? I read that the Canons can only be used with extension tubes or the camera would be damaged if fed lenses were used.

 

[xkaes]

The only ophthalmology camera I'm familiar with is the Minolta XD-11 (and variant XD-s) MEDICAL model. It looks exactly the same as the regular model, but is marked "MEDICAL" on the front. The difference is that it is set for flash use only -- much like the Yashica "Dental" models. The shutter speed ring is fixed to its only engraved setting -- "X". The mode selector is fixed to "M" (not denoted), and there's no ASA setting wheel or exposure compensation and no viewfinder readout, either. The exposure is determined by the flash (power & distance), and aperture of the "lens".

These were popular with eye doctors -- and probably others too -- but apparently hard-to-find.

Medical/Scientific cameras usually have there limits for regular use. For example, the Minolta and Olympus Pen F/FT Medical cameras had special focusing screens for close-up use. And some, like the Minolta and Yashica can only be used with FLASH (or the single synch speed).

All this probably means that most ended up in the trash as there is little general consumer use for them -- except for collectors or for parts.

 

[Dustin McAmera]

Canon F-A - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

 

[Mike Sowsun]

Here is more info on these strange cameras: https://flynngraphics.ca/f-e/

 

[18percentgrey]

Thank you, I see there is an old thread about these cameras. I’ll be looking at them this weekend, will report back.

 

[18percentgrey]

Well I got a good look at these interesting cameras. I walked away with the Nikon FM2 for $47. It looks like a spacer needs to be extracted from the mirror area. Also the mount seems to be modified ? I don’t think there is much demand for the rest, except for parts. The seller seemed to think the Zeiss Ikon bodies were rare?

 

[xkaes]

The seller seemed to think the Zeiss Ikon bodies were rare?

Lots of sellers seem to think that any camera more than 20 years old must be worth more than the Crown Jewels.