The Camera Site

All "Boxes" are not completely cubical

taulukko

Altissa Box (D)

Altissa Kamera - Werk , "VEB Kamera- und Kinowerke Dresden"

Altissa Box (left) and Altissa Box D are basically similar cameras. You can see the differences. The Altissa box D which is older (ca.1952) has a bigger viewfinder and because of the new design of the front part the shutter release knob of the newer model (ca.1954) is slightly easier to use.

The history of the manufacturer begun in 1904. After sixty years of activity (the production was ceased during the war) the "VEB Kamera- und Kinowerke Dresden" in the former DDR has reached it´s goal line.

Both cameras use 120 film for 12 exposures. They have no flash synchronisation neither self timer. They need not any kind of battery. The energy they use comes from the users fingers. You can find a couple of more Altissa Box models. They differ a bit but it is easy to recognize that they are a close relatives

    Briefly

  • Film type Roll film 120
  • Picture size 6x6cm
  • Weight 450g
  • Lens Altissa Periskop 1:8
  • Shutter simple "safety pin" shutter
  • Shutter speed approximately 1/30sec
  • Viewfinder Galilei,no parallax markings

Ensign Ful-Vue

This streamlined and futuristic camera was introduced in 1940. The lines were conpletely different to the first Ful-Vue, which was introduced only about a year before. This all metal construction was something new for a conservative English consumer. Still with it's big and convenient viewfinder it soon became a sell-out both in domestic and foreign markets. An American version of a camera with a bright finder. Spartus Full-Vue

  • Film type Roll film 120
  • Picture size 6x6cm
  • Weight 390g
  • Lens Meniskus 1:8
  • Shutter simple "safety pin" shutter
  • Shutter speed approximately 1/30sec
  • Viewfinder Vaist Level
  • Mfg Ensing Limited/England
  • History of the Ensign Ltd. HERE
Ensing Ful-Vue  
Gevaert Gevabox

Gevaert Gevabox

One of the most confusing names for a camera, "Gevabox" . This is a BILORA (Kürbi & Niggeloh, Radevormwald) opinion how a Gevabox should look like. It is also a German option for a Brittish Full-Vue now with a flash contact (Full -Vue got it in the Full - Vue II in 1950)
Gevabox, as a name comes from the Gevaert , 1964 is the year of a merger between Agfa and Gevaert, later Agfa-Gevaert. Wilhelm Kürbi and Carl Niggeloh are names in the Bilora history and Bilora is a manufacturer, so now you know the whole story ;-)

  • Film type Roll film 120
  • Picture size 6x6cm
  • Weight 430g
  • Lens Meniskus 1:8
  • Shutter simple "safety pin" shutter
  • Shutter speed approximately 1/30sec
  • Viewfinder Galilei,no parallax markings
  • Mfg Gevaert/Bilora/Germany
 

Agfa Clack (~1950)

Agfa Kamera Werke AG is one of the oldest companies in the photoindustry, It is established in 1867 when it started producing of film plates and photo chemicals. The name AGFA is an acronym from the "Aktiengesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation“, a company for producing aniline.

  • Film type Roll film 120
  • Picture size 6x9cm
  • Weight 450g
  • Lens Single element Meniskus 1:11
  • Shutter speed approximately 1/30sec + B
  • Viewfinder Galilei,no parallax markings
  • Mfg Agfa Kamera Werke AG / Germany
Agfa Clack
©2005 Reijo Lauro