I've just acquired another old camera and I'm hoping someone might be able to point me towards some resources to help identify exactly what I got.
Its an old folder with very little in the way of identification. The only identification is a small round sticker which says 'Reicka'. >From various websites I believe that means it was built by Emil Wunsche in Reicka (which is now part of Dresden). The Wunsche camera company was in existence from 1889 to 1909 before it was absorbed by ICA, which was in turn absorbed by Zeiss Ikon in 1926. The camera is quite large and takes roll film of (it appears) 14x9cm, not a size I've come across before. Looks like it could also be used with sheet film &/or plates as the center of the back is removable. The lens is simply marked 'Beck Symmetrical Lens'. The shutter has speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B & T. Aperture goes from F8 to F45. Shutter is still working. The front standard has thumbscrews for left & right movement, as well as vertical adjustment of the lens. For a hundred years old its in pretty good condition, a little peeling of the cover, and the front standard is a little loose (I think a couple of small screws are missing). There is even still liquid in the spirit level attached to the viewfinder. I spend a whole CAD$13 on ebay for this, so even if I can't recondition it and modify it to use 120 film I still have an impressive display piece. It stands some 9" tall and 5" wide..... and I won't ever have to reset any custom functions like my *ist_DS <VBG> There's something magical about these old folders. Fred.
