ICA Reflex Tudor Rescued by
Zheng, on Flickr
Camera: ICA Reflex 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 (Model 756/1, aka Tudor)
Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 150mm f/4.5
I like the 3x4 format better because the 4x5 SLRs are really too big and heavy to carry around for casual shots. The 3x4 SLRs are much more manageable. And there are 3D models that can convert the back to accept 4x5 film holders, albeit in a slightly cropped 4x4 format. Now we are talking about gigantic Instagram photos!
This camera came to me in tattered condition, while missing mirror, focus screen and hood. But the good news is that the lens and focal plane shutter are in good working condition. So a rescue is in order!
I thoroughly cleaned the entire camera inside and out. Then I sourced mirror and focus screen from eBay. I do need to shim the focusing screen a bit in order to collimate the focus screen with the film back. Lastly, I hacked together an adapter to use the focusing hood from a 4x5 field camera.
Now it seems to be in proper working condition. Film test will be next. It uses the now almost obsolete 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 sheet film. Ilford, Foma and Svema still make film in this format, as well as Aviphot 200 aero film cut down by boutique stores.