12/08/2007 16:19
I just putting this thread on the top because we have many new members now and maybe someone will open lid of the mystery of this camera? I actually surprise that this camera can not be found anywhere in books or on the Net. When I bought it, I was sure that many cameras like this laying around; probably because I got 3 of them so easy.
12/08/2007 16:42
Probably the red filter is for use with infra-red film, often used for surveillance or damage assessment photographs from heavy planes such as bombers. These kind of photographs are also often seen in round format for some reason.
A camera like this, even if heavy, is no problem for a bomber that carries many tons of bombs. Even some cameras made for fighters are quite heavy. I have seen other cameras like this and similar and they have been always identified as military use, for aero-photography.
Regards, Bill
12/08/2007 18:06
okynek
how big is the length, the width and the height for the camera?
12/08/2007 18:10
It’s not a big camera. Little bit bigger and wider then Zenit E, let say.
I will make exact measurements if necessary.
12/08/2007 18:13
thanks
will see in my books for aerial cameras!
12/08/2007 18:22
and bill
a question for you!
all my aerial cameras have cassettes, give it others?
i find the camera is to little for a bomber ( when i see my farm-2 from a tu-16)!
regards, mike
12/08/2007 19:44
I don't really know, but the camera looks to be Military in some way. Maybe for a tank or smaller plane where 50 photos is enough and the camera is easily accessible to remove the film? These are only guesses on my part, from others I have seen like this one. There is even a similar camera in Princelle (page 203) but it seems to take a cassette and Princelle does not seem to know the exact use. Also, the other similar camera that I have seen did look like they took a cassette, so not exactly the same as this one.
I only said that the weight was nothing for a bomber because Okynek said, in his description of the camera in the WIKI that it seemed to heavy for an airplane to him.
The round film format is unusual and to me points to a type of photograph where the overall scene is not important, only the subject that is in the middle (like an aircraft or submarine sight with cross hairs). Also I would be pretty sure that the red filter is for infra-red photography, so that may be some clue.
Regards, Bill
12/08/2007 22:01
I agree with Bill about red filter for infrared photography. I also agreed that it can be used with periscope or shooting scope to verify target destroyed. I also think that this camera can be used with fish eye lens what make round pictures, like Peleng. I have some objection for using this camera on the airplane because it can be easily made much lighter then it is. I do not think Air force would accept such camera for serves. Also when I receive cameras they were literally full of dirt. Air planes usually much cleaner places. Camera most likely was forgotten in warehouse for many years so dirt may came from there. Seller insisted that cameras are from airplane. So I have to go with it, because no other information exists at this time.
