Blende - und - Zeit -Forum. Liste der Rollfilmboxkameras. Foreword in english

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List of roll film box cameras. Preface and introduction in english

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Sorry, this is only a computer generated translation. I hope it is understandable :-)

This list is intended to give box camera collectors or other interested parties an initial overview of which roll film box cameras (also sometimes called box cameras at the time) existed. Plate cameras are not included here. This allows for more targeted searches for these models in other sources (including the "Aperture & Shutter Forum").

This also makes it easier to assess the completeness of one's own collection. In any case, roll film box cameras are definitely worth taking a closer look at. After all, box cameras were what enabled many people to photograph their lives, events, celebrations, and vacations. For people with lower incomes, the box camera was the preferred choice. Furthermore, its simple design made photography easier even for inexperienced users. The sometimes rather poor image quality was either accepted or not even noticed.

However, there were also box cameras that produced quite good photos for the then-common 9x11 cm paper format. Box cameras generally only had single-element lenses with fixed focus from about 2 meters to infinity, which limited image quality. Better boxes used double-element or even multi-element lenses, sometimes with distance adjustment and also with close-up lenses for portraits at distances of less than two meters. An example of a good multi-element box camera is the Zeiss Ikon Box Tengor .

More precisely: Why so many models with single-element lenses (e.g., meniscus lenses)? Because this allowed the cameras to remain inexpensive. Multi-element optical lenses were significantly more expensive to manufacture. Single-element lenses had limited image sharpness and various other shortcomings. This could be somewhat compensated for by stopping down the lenses relatively much (around f/8-16, usually f/11). Box cameras also existed with more than one element within the lens; these could better reduce certain image aberrations. There were also hybrid designs, where, for example, a single-element lens was combined with an additional close-up lens . Unfortunately, most box cameras lacked a focus ring . Box cameras with such a feature were among the better models.

How can I recognize a good box camera? It has a multi-element lens , a focus ring or a close-up lens , and various apertures and shutter speeds , but even then, it's skirting the edge of the box camera world...

It all started with the roll film boxes from the Eastman Dry Plate Company , and later Kodak with the so-called " original Brownie, " the world's first roll film box.

Why "only" roll film boxes in this list? Because otherwise, a significantly larger number of boxes would have to be included, and it was arguably the roll film boxes, unlike the plate boxes, that paved the way for photography for everyone. Plate boxes were sometimes cumbersome to use, often larger and heavier, and film development was more complicated. 35mm boxes are also considered roll film boxes in this list.

There is a fairly large number of collectors worldwide, some of whom have to painstakingly gain an overview of box camera photography. This list can certainly be helpful in that regard.

For some boxes, the manufacturer and model may be listed together, as there is some uncertainty. Boxes that cannot be assigned at all are listed as " Unknown (unbekannt)." Perhaps there are also currently unassigned models to be found there.

Box or non-box? Design types. (An important question).

Single-lens box cameras and, more generally: It's sometimes difficult to describe a camera as a box. A roll film box camera typically has a box-like design; the more of this is removed, the less of a box it is. A box shape, only one shutter speed and one aperture, fixed-focus single lens – that's what characterizes a typical box camera. But even certain minimal improvements in terms of convenience don't necessarily preclude the name "box camera."

Box cameras were generally inexpensive . Even if the number of controls increases or significant lens attachments are present, the camera may lose its boxy characteristics. However, certain deviations from the pure box shape are accepted. In particular, certain embellishments and rounded edges can still fit within the box camera category.

The general conclusion regarding box cameras: the cheaper, the simpler in terms of operation and technical features, and the more box-shaped, the more likely a camera is to be a box camera. The boundaries are fluid, and collectors have different opinions on whether a camera is a box or not. This will also be the case on this page; twin-lens reflex cameras are particularly debatable, as the number of borderline cases is especially high.

Twin-lens box cameras: (lens and viewfinder) There are twin-lens box cameras with a type of reflex viewfinder , but these don't fully meet the criteria of a true SLR camera. They often have a relatively small viewfinder lens (in relation to the lens) and simple optics, short exposure times, and sometimes a fixed-focus viewfinder and lens system. Occasionally, such cameras are also referred to as pseudo-TLRs or Twin Lens Reflex cameras (see the legend on previous page here) .

Even in this list, it is not always possible to draw the line between pseudo-TLR and real TLR... . Even a relatively large finder eyepiece on the top (mostly based on the brilliant finder principle) can still be considered part of the box principle .

/X/ = andere Formen

Twin-lens reflex cameras (TLRs, large lens and large viewfinder lens): True twin-lens cameras with a large, swiveling reflex-type waist-level viewfinder , large viewfinder lenses, more complex multi-speed shutters (T/M and at least two additional speeds) , and distance adjustment of the viewfinder area are generally not box cameras , but rather twin-lens reflex cameras and are not listed here. Borderline cases are the pseudo-TLR models, which are not so easy to classify (marked here as /PS/ ) and are sometimes considered by collectors to be either non-box or still box cameras. Unclear cases (box or non-box): Such unclear cases are usually placed in parentheses [.] or even double parentheses [[. ]] or even [[[ ]]] if they deviate significantly or extremely, or are not included at all. More on the discussion about the box or non-box topic can be found here in the forum. There are differing opinions among collectors on this topic.

Box cameras for different negative types: There were box cameras for plate negatives , sheet film, and roll film . There were also boxes suitable for combinations of these negative materials. Such box cameras are generally not included in this list; however, there are exceptions where, for example, these options were not clearly identifiable.

Common roll film formats: There were boxes with the same name for different film formats. In general, roll film formats are a useful tool for distinguishing between boxes. There were various film formats. Particular attention should be paid to cameras for the 120 and 620 formats. These two film formats differ only in the core diameter.

Efke Schwarz-Weiß-Film 127 Format The 620 film is wound more tightly on a thinner core than the 120 film, which is common in Germany. The film format appears in many camera names; for example, Kodak Six-20 boxes = 620 format.

Examples of film formats in roll film boxes: Stripping film (paper negative), 101, 102, 116, 120, 122, 124, 125, 127, 130, 616, 620.
More information about film formats of that era can be found here . In Germany, other designations were sometimes used for these formats. Examples: 120 = B2, 127 = A8.

Rollfilm-Spulenkerne
Different Coil cores of roll films.

Manufacturers, suppliers: There were many models that differed only in their front panel (i.e., they came from the same actual manufacturer), especially among Brazilian and Vredeborch boxes .

There seem to have been very few Japanese and Chinese roll film boxes; at least, very little information is available, and only a few are included in this list.

An interesting aspect: Approximately 20 box camera companies/dealers were located in the USA , specifically in Chicago (the Chicago Cluster). There must have been some interconnections, such as employees of a previous company becoming self-employed, etc.

Box cameras produced in and for Germany were available until the mid-1950s and were then only manufactured for a few more years. Exceptions include Vredeborch with the "Standard Synchrona" (probably 1957-1970). Consumer tastes and image quality expectations had changed, and the era of box cameras was coming to an end.

Additions and corrections are welcome as ...

a reply in the Aperture & Shutter Forum (if you are registered and logged in) in the thread "Roll Film Box Cameras" and "List of Roll Film Boxes ," or via PM (private message) through the forum mailbox, or via email (subject: "Roll Film Box List"). Further photos of roll film box cameras are also welcome , provided they are copyrighted by you , i.e., photos taken with your own cameras. They do not need to be isolated from the background; I can remove the background myself. Please send such photos to me via email , including your name and a request for attribution.

It is sometimes difficult to correctly assign box camera suppliers (dealers, factories, department stores, mail-order companies) to their products. Companies built special models with their own brands and names for themselves, but also for other companies and retailers. Companies and retailers have also changed their names, been acquired by other companies, or merged to form new companies.

Therefore, some company names in this list may be misleading for the reasons mentioned above. The list's purpose is simply to provide a starting point for collectors. It cannot always resolve the details of company relationships, as these connections are often too complex. Further research and in-depth analysis are frequently necessary. Moreover, sources often contradict each other regarding these company relationships.

Further notes:

Viewfinders of box cameras as a distinguishing feature (this also applies analogously to many non-box cameras) :

* Matte - glass right -angle viewfinder /MS/ , with image reversal. Often recognizable by the flat surface and frosting of the glass at the eye view. The camera is held in front of the stomach, and the viewfinder is viewed from above at a distance of approximately 30 cm.

* Brilliant right -angle viewfinder /BS/ , with image reversal. Often recognizable by a slightly positively curved , unfrosted glass shape with a lens-like appearance at the eye view. The camera is held in front of the stomach, and the viewfinder is viewed from above at a distance of approximately 30 cm.

* Through - view viewfinder /DS/ without an angled mirror, also called a telescope viewfinder or Newtonian viewfinder. No image reversal. You look directly into the viewfinder eyepiece, meaning you don't hold the camera in front of you or lookdown at it.

* Sport viewfinder /SS/ without an angled mirror ( also called an iconometer, i.e. , a fold-out frame viewfinder), without image reversal. You look directly into the viewfinder eyepiece, meaning you don't hold the camera in front of you or look down at it.

Some cameras had two viewfinder systems simultaneously, e.g., /BS/ and /SS/. Ground glass angle finders and brilliant angle finders with only one deflecting mirror rotate for portrait and landscape orientation.

Ground glass angle finders ("Winkelsucher mit Mattscheibe") are inferior to brilliant angle finders. The small ground glass screen makes the image flat, dim, and somewhat blurry., the brilliant viewfinder ("Winkelsucher mit Okulat, Brillant-Sucher") (the term originates from the phrase "quality, performance") further improvesthe viewing quality (brighter, higher contrast, sharper) through its optical exit eyepiece (lens); a focusing screen, as with a ground glass viewfinder, is not required! For example, some box cameras deliver a bright, sharp, high-contrast image through the combination of viewfinder lens, 45-degree mirror, and exit eyepiece.

The viewing quality of ground glass and brilliant viewfinders nowadays depends crucially on the 45-degree angled mirror. If it is fogged or even smeared, the viewfinder's image quality suffers considerably. The front lens and the ground glass screen (in the case of a ground glass viewfinder) or the eyepiece (in the case of a brilliant viewfinder) can also fog up. Cleaning should be done with EXTREME caution (if in doubt, leave it alone), as angled mirror surfaces can be damaged . More information can be found in the "Aperture & Shutter Forum" (BZF) .

For this list, information about the viewfinder shape is helpful, especially if no photos are available. Viewfinder information makes it easier to distinguish between different types of viewfinders. Therefore, we will gradually try to include viewfinder shapes.

Front panel details and model color variations: The design of the viewfinder fronts can also be helpful in identifying models, so some information is provided here, especially for Art Deco design models. Art Deco fronts were used from the 1920s to the 1950s. The inherently simple design of the speakers thus gained a certain prestige and undoubtedly led to better sales. Furthermore, there were speaker models that differed only in their cabinet color . These model variants are generally not listed separately.

Real-world model names: We have found all listed speakers at least once in the sources mentioned in the next paragraph and have also checked their plausibility (as far as possible). Therefore, if you cannot currently find a model from this list on the internet, in catalogs, or other sources, this does not mean that it does not exist! Unclear cases are marked with ?, ??, ???. Multiple listings under slightly modified names cannot be ruled out (example: Kodak )!

Years of manufacture: The years of manufacture are well known for many speakers, but not for others. Depending on the source of information, you will find different (sometimes contradictory) details. Often, only approximate dates can be given. This is also the case in this list. Example: ~ 1930 . This means possibly 1930-1940 or around 1930 ...

Special roll film boxes: There are a few stereo (3D) boxes from Eho , Kodak , and Thornton . However, this does not include spreader bars or bellows cameras.

Countries of origin of the box cameras:

So far, box camera offers have been identified from the following countries (manufacturer or offered under their own name):

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, England (UK), France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Canada, Croatia (Yugoslavia?), Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Soviet Union, Spain, Czechoslovakia , Hungary, USA.

For more in-depth information on box cameras, acquiring the publications listed here (including used copies) would certainly be helpful, in my opinion. I have no business relationship with the mentioned companies/authors and do not intend to establish one; all publications were purchased through normal channels.

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