Bessamatic

In the Voigtländer Bessamatic is a mechanical leaf shutter SLR small German post-war production. Due to their technical features, they can be counted with one of the better products of the former photographic technique.

Housing

The Bessamatic consists of a metal housing with standard prism hump and an attachable flash shoe (without contact). One of the key controls is like most small SLR cameras the quick release lever, tense with its actuation of the shutter, the film is wound, the mirror moves and film counter is advanced. Also a reversal or prevention of film transport by a rewind is possible. The film is to bend when inserted into the axle and the tractor at the end. Above the lens selenium cell of the integrated exposure meter can be seen at the setting of the film speed (DIN and ASA ) and filter correction factors can be made by mechanical controls on the camera. There is a lever for setting the self-timer and the desired flash synchronization (X and M) on the side of the camera's bayonet. The flash unit is connected via an external cable to the flash socket on the camera body.

The Bessamatic has like most central shutter cameras do not have return mirror, which means that upon release of the camera, the viewfinder is black and the mirror is lowered into the optical path only after re- charging the shutter again. In addition to the standard tripod thread on the housing, the camera features an attached small three-point support for stable and balanced stand on a flat surface. Other features include a thread for a cable release, a count- back film counter and secure with two-finger flap closure film.

Around 1962 /63 original Bessamatic was replaced by the revised Bessamatic deLuxe model, which largely corresponded to the Bessamatic, but was improved in details. So shutter speed and aperture values ​​have now been reflected into the viewfinder. There is also a knob for adjusting the separate film counter has been added.

Shutter and interchangeable lenses

The camera has a " Synchro - Compur " central locking ( 1-1/500 s, Bulb ) Deckel, according to its manufacturer, the bayonet connector on the Bessamatic as a cover -mount ( DKL ) is called and modified slightly in mold was also used for the Kodak retinal reflex. The aperture ring is an integral part of the closure. The mechanical coupling of the cover to the closure by means of two carrier at the rear of the lens, one of which for the transmission of the set diaphragm value, and the other is responsible for the automatic diaphragm function. If the lens is not attached to the camera, the iris closes to the smallest aperture F22. The minimum focal length of the lens program was 35 mm, total ordered the Bessamatic over a number different interchangeable lenses up to the early " zoom lens " (zoom). The lenses were just like the camera from light metal. The latest version of the " Bessamatic deLuxe " was like the one shown below " Bessamatic m " a " Syncro - Compur -X " closure.

Lens program:

Wide-angle:

  • Skoparex 1:3.4 / 35mm
  • Skopagon 1:2 / 40mm

Normal:

  • Color - Skopar X 1:2.8 / 50mm
  • Color - Lanthar 1:2.8 / 50mm
  • Septon 1:2 / 50mm

Tele:

  • Dynarex 1:3.4 / 90mm
  • Dynarex 1:4.8 / 100mm (only from '60 - '62 produced )
  • Super - Dynarex 1:4 / 135mm
  • Super - Dynarex 1:4 / 200mm
  • Super - Dynarex 1:5.6 / 350mm

Zoom:

  • Zoomar 1:2.8 / 36 - 82mm

Exposure

Compared to today, largely automated SLRs Bessamatic requires a certain, however, largely supported by the camera, setting work by the photographer. Operation is intuitive possible by the sophisticated design and technical assistance soon.

The display, manual tracking and thus balance the set exposure and the exposure settings, see the viewfinder instead of by means of two pointers that need to be made ​​to coincide. A pointer stands for speed and aperture coupled, the other for reading.

The setting of the aperture and the time is done by setting rings on the closure with opposite, ganged aperture. An accurate indication of the respective depth of field is about two red pointer on the lens possible, their position is adjusted along with the aperture and each indicating the limits of the depth of field on the distance scale. The focus of the lens is made easier with correction of the optical rangefinder in the viewfinder ( prism ring and cutting edge line ).

Bessamatic m

As a cheaper alternative to Bessamatic brought Voigtländer Bessamatic m 1964 as a fully manual and fully mechanical SLR on the market. The case was based on the revised deLuxe version of the Bessamatic and differed from it by the absence of the integrated selenium exposure meter and installation aids (ie, the average indicator image ) on the screen of the viewfinder. Furthermore, it was with the Synchro - Compur -X - lock is a slightly modified version of the Bessamatic shutter used in which eliminated the M- flash synchronization. The overall objective of the program Bessamatic-/Ultramatic-Systems is usable on the Bessamatic m.

Due to their low number of about 9300 cameras Bessamatic m is a sought-after collector's item.

Bessamatic CS

The latest version of the Bessamatic before setting a Bessamatic-/Ultramatic-Systems was the Bessamatic CS (manufactured circa 1966 - 1969), which still has more similarities with the Bessamatic deLuxe than the Bessamatic m. It was here a version of the Bessamatic deLuxe with cadmium sulfide ( CdS) light meter, which was placed inside the camera body and thus allow TTL metering. As a CdS cell as opposed to a selenium cell requires an external power source, a battery compartment for the mercuric oxide -zinc button cells now no longer available front was installed at the prism hump.

Metering mode Focusing screen
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