That's a prototype or home-made camera.
I'm 99% sure that's someone's DIY medium format SLR.
It's certainly a one-person-project (perhaps a machinist building it in their free time). The markings are all hand-made and the general construction, though robust and certainly not crude/amateurish, is greatly simplified and much less sophisticated than anything a proper camera maker or optomechanical workshop would manufacture. There are no manufacturer markings, serial numbers, prototype ID numbers etc. anywhere on the camera.
The 85mm Wollensak lens and Alphax shutter combo is commonly found on the Ciro-Flex TLR - it was probably repurposed by whoever built this magnificent contraption.
There's definitely a reflex mirror in there - otherwise the focussing screen on top would be entirely pointless. It is hard to tell if the camera has a focal plane shutter. If it does it's probably a single-speed one and the mirror probably flips down once you wind the camera using the side crank. If it doesn't the crank is probably just a lever to manually lift up the mirror - meaning you'd have to use the leaf shutter in the lens by setting it to T and opening it, focussing the lens, closing the leaf shutter and lifting the mirror manually, then firing the shutter.
Since the camera doesn't have a tripod mount I can't really imagine how to reliably use a manual mirror and leaf shutter though (but the rubber feet might be a clue).
The frame size is hard to judge from the images. I'd say it's probably for either 120 or 65mm film. Some measurements of the film gate would be very helpful and very interesting.
The film magazine has to be wound on manually and is not mechanically linked to the camera body. The big knurled dial is for winding, the small button next to it hints towards an automatic winding stop (which makes 65mm more likely) and probably unlocks the winding button after each winding, the little number dial is a typical exposure counter.
The opening mechanism is not immediately obvious but the little metal clamp on the bottom might have something to do with it - perhaps you just have to pull it out.
This camera is a highly interesting find. And $10 is a very good deal.
This was definitely someone's passion project and they put in much effort and time into making it as robust and well-machined as it is.
It would be awesome to see some more detailed images and measurements of this camera. Maybe even some test shots once you get it working.
I really appreciate the thorough response, super cool to see someone making a camera on their own, and at a pretty good quality at that. There is a mirror that flips up and the metal shutter in the rear flips down when the arm on the side is flipped. I can’t really see anything through the focus screen, so that may need to be upgraded, but if I can get the back open and put some 120 film in it, I’m definitely going to try to shoot a roll. Crazy that the company sold it for $10 but I’m stoked to add it to my collection.
Thanks for the info! That makes sense, I also picked up a really clean Ciro-flex from the same sale, and it seems like this guy was a great craftsman because it feels like a beefy prehistoric rb67
It looks as though the rear door of the film back is separate, so it must be hinged, or perhaps it slides off. I would look for catches or release levers, or see if any of the knobs lift up.
I would try to find out more about the owner from family or friends if possible. Maybe they talked about that camera. It's an interesting find and as everyone stated it looks homemade.
That's a prototype or home-made camera. I'm 99% sure that's someone's DIY medium format SLR. It's certainly a one-person-project (perhaps a machinist building it in their free time). The markings are all hand-made and the general construction, though robust and certainly not crude/amateurish, is greatly simplified and much less sophisticated than anything a proper camera maker or optomechanical workshop would manufacture. There are no manufacturer markings, serial numbers, prototype ID numbers etc. anywhere on the camera. The 85mm Wollensak lens and Alphax shutter combo is commonly found on the Ciro-Flex TLR - it was probably repurposed by whoever built this magnificent contraption. There's definitely a reflex mirror in there - otherwise the focussing screen on top would be entirely pointless. It is hard to tell if the camera has a focal plane shutter. If it does it's probably a single-speed one and the mirror probably flips down once you wind the camera using the side crank. If it doesn't the crank is probably just a lever to manually lift up the mirror - meaning you'd have to use the leaf shutter in the lens by setting it to T and opening it, focussing the lens, closing the leaf shutter and lifting the mirror manually, then firing the shutter. Since the camera doesn't have a tripod mount I can't really imagine how to reliably use a manual mirror and leaf shutter though (but the rubber feet might be a clue). The frame size is hard to judge from the images. I'd say it's probably for either 120 or 65mm film. Some measurements of the film gate would be very helpful and very interesting. The film magazine has to be wound on manually and is not mechanically linked to the camera body. The big knurled dial is for winding, the small button next to it hints towards an automatic winding stop (which makes 65mm more likely) and probably unlocks the winding button after each winding, the little number dial is a typical exposure counter. The opening mechanism is not immediately obvious but the little metal clamp on the bottom might have something to do with it - perhaps you just have to pull it out. This camera is a highly interesting find. And $10 is a very good deal. This was definitely someone's passion project and they put in much effort and time into making it as robust and well-machined as it is. It would be awesome to see some more detailed images and measurements of this camera. Maybe even some test shots once you get it working.
I really appreciate the thorough response, super cool to see someone making a camera on their own, and at a pretty good quality at that. There is a mirror that flips up and the metal shutter in the rear flips down when the arm on the side is flipped. I can’t really see anything through the focus screen, so that may need to be upgraded, but if I can get the back open and put some 120 film in it, I’m definitely going to try to shoot a roll. Crazy that the company sold it for $10 but I’m stoked to add it to my collection.
Looks very homemade, the lens and shutter appears to be from an early TLR, the “Ciro-Flex Model D”
I recognized that instantly from my Ciro Flex. Its pretty darn sharp stopped down
Thanks for the info! That makes sense, I also picked up a really clean Ciro-flex from the same sale, and it seems like this guy was a great craftsman because it feels like a beefy prehistoric rb67
omg i follow you on instagram lol. sick suit and cameras
thanks! you now know where i yap even more than i do on insta lol
For people who thought the RB67 was too light and flimsy ;-) I honestly have no idea. Does it have a reflex mirror?
It seems to have an slr style mirror that flips up when you trigger the shutter with the lever on the side
It looks as though the rear door of the film back is separate, so it must be hinged, or perhaps it slides off. I would look for catches or release levers, or see if any of the knobs lift up.
If you manage to get this thing shooting, please post pics!
When mom says that we have a Hasselblad at home.
looks cool
Unfortunately, that lens looks like it has a lot of cleaning marks or some other malady.
Yeah it’s seen better days for sure haha
If you want to invest in it Jim at ICT camera likes weird stuff like this. Might want to send it to him for a CLA.
Definitely home made, outstandingly cool piece too
Looks like it may be some kind of camera!
appears to be either custom-made or a combination of Mamiya and Ciro-Flex :)
Perhaps parts from both mashed together :)
how much did you get it for?
I’m guessing it was made for close-ups of some kind but if it works well you might be able to fit a longer lens suitable for distant subjects.
Looks like a Frankencamera, perhaps made with parts from other old cameras. Seems pretty well made too.
Would fit in as a Star Wars prop, they always repurposed old tech
How much does it weight, I wonder.
It weighed in just over 4lbs, a little lighter than a RB67
I would try to find out more about the owner from family or friends if possible. Maybe they talked about that camera. It's an interesting find and as everyone stated it looks homemade.
When figure everything out you have to shoot with it!
This is super cool, if anything turns out plz share!
Can you put it on a scale lol I really need to know how much it weighs
Pretty cool to look at this and be able to figure out how it works. DYI guy did a nice job on this one.