Agfa PD 16 or Agfa Ansco Plenax, Folding Camera, 1935, PhotoMuse Collection, 2015, Donation of Mr. Herbert Ascherman Jr.

Collections, Historic Cameras

Agfa PD 16 or Agfa Ansco Plenax was a series of folding cameras for type PD 16 roll film and manufactured by the Agfa company from 1935). Many models are distinguished only by the lens designations Antar (f/14) or Tripar (f/11). Others are designated “Plenax” (regardless of lens type), and this camera includes a few higher-specification models with Hypar f/6.3 Anastigmat lenses…

Nikonos IV-A, 1980, Underwater Camera, PhotoMuse Collection, 2015, Donation of Mr. Herbert Ascherman Jr.

Collections, Historic Cameras

Nikonos IV-A, an electronically controlled 35 mm focal-plane shutter type underwater camera, was introduced in 1980. Owing to its robust construction, it needs no additional housing for depths to 160 feet (50m). It can take interchangeable lenses. The most popular lens is the 35mm f/2.5 which may be used on land, sea, or air making…

Minolta Weathermatic- A, Underwater Camera, 1980, PhotoMuse Collection, 2018, Donation of Dr. Unni Krishnan Pulikkal, Source – Herbert Ascherman Collection.

Collections, Historic Cameras

The bright yellow Weathermatic-A was first made in the 1980s as a watertight camera with a built-in electric flash that could be used in water in depths of up to 15 feet or 5 meters. It has very large black control knobs on the top of the camera, perfect for use in the time of…

Spartus Full-Vue, 1948-1960, pseudo-TLR Camera, PhotoMuse Collection, 2015, Donation of Mr. Herbert Ascherman Jr.

Collections, Historic Cameras

The simple Spartus Full-Vue plastic pseudo-TLR was made from 1948 to 1960 by American manufacturer Spartus, later Herold Products. This model exposes 2¼” square images on 120 film. It includes a 100mm f/16 meniscus taking lens, and a shutter with 1/60th sec and “T” settings. The lens of its viewfinder is larger in diameter than…

Praktica FX, 1952, SLR Camera, PhotoMuse Collection, 2014, Donation of Dr.Unni Krishnan Pulikkal, Source – Herbert Ascherman Collection.

Collections, Historic Cameras

The Praktica FX is a relatively early member of the Praktica family, a 35mm SLR introduced by KW in 1952. It accepts M42 lenses but does not have a mechanism for internally stopping down later lenses such as those made for Pentax SLRs. It is named for its dual flash sync: F (for high-speed bulbs)…