Re: [Rollei] Automat?

[Richard Knoppow <dickburk >]

At 09:31 PM 03/03/2001 -0600, you wrote:
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Richard Knoppow" <dickburk  >
>To: <rollei  
>Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 8:58 PM
>Subject: RE: [Rollei] Automat?
>
>
>>The Automat was
>> the premium camera. Automat is used to distinguish the cameras with
>> automatic loading especially those dating from the time when the Standard
>> was also made.
>> ----
>> Richard Knoppow
>
>But, then wasn't the "Automat" feature assumed after the time of the  MX
>Automat circa 1951?  Surely it must have been a significant innovation at
>the time.
>
>BTW, is that a patented feature?  Mamiya, and Yashica TLRs, as well as MF
>SLRs still have you roll to the "start" mark/arrow, then the crank clicks
>off x number of rotations until the film has been pulled the correct
>distance.  I would guess the only similar innovation since is the
>semi-autoloads that some of the Fuji 645s have.
>
>Lloyd Schultz
>Lschultz2  
>
>Nollite illegitimus contarere vos
>
  The first Automat was released in August 1937, according to Prochnow.
This is the camera which introduced automatic loading by means of feeler
rollers which sensed when the film started on the leader. 
  Beginning in May of 1939 a Rolleiflex model called the New Standard was
released. This was similar to the later Rolleicord and old Standard models
in that it did not have the automatic film feeler. The first frame was set
in a red window on the _bottom_ of the camera, and the crank wound until it
stopped, which was at the first frame. The f/stop and shutter speed is set
with levers rather than with knobs or wheels as on the Automat. Evidently,
this camera was discontinued in June of 1941 and not put back into
production after the war. 
  The red dot and arrow arrangement is evidently a post war feature on
cameras although I am not sure of this. Many cameras had semi-automatic
loading where the first frame was wound to show through a red window and
winding after than was automatic. This is how all Rolleiflexes before the
Automat loaded, and (I am pretty sure) all pre-war Rolleicords. 
  Those with Super Ikonta's can see if their cameras load using the red
window or arrow and dots. It would be interesting to know when this system
first appeared. 
  Its been so long since I used a Rolleicord III that I don't remember if
it had dots or a window with cover. The 'cord IV definitely loads using
dots and arrow. 
- ----
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles,Ca.
dickburk  

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