Going for Gold

<p>This, I believe, is a Goldeck IV, manufactured in Mulheim, Germany, sometime in the mid-1950's.</p><div></div>

<p>The Goldammer Goldeck is not a well-known camera, though it's one of a range of very similar cameras, all with the 6cm x 6cm format on 120 rollfilm. Gerhard Goldammer started producing cameras in Frankurt in the 1920's under the "Goldammer Lichttechnik" name, and the company ceased production in the 1960's. The Goldecks appeared in a host of variations and with confusingly similar names, sometimes with identical models branded differently. There were Goldis, Goldixettes, Goldas and GuGos, and also a couple of Goldeck 16mm sub-miniature cameras. All very confusing...</p><div></div>

<p>Most of the range had the pop-out lens tube, though it's pull rather than pop, with locking achieved by a slight twist applied to the lens assembly when fully extended. I anticipated light leaks around the tube, but thankfully there were none. The design is similar to the Agfa Isola and a couple of the Balda cameras, though somewhat more basic, without spring loading and with the shutter release positioned out on the shutter, providing maximum opportunities for camera shake as one's extended index finger gropes for the lever. Other models had the release positioned on the body, probably an improvement. There were three lens options, the top-of the line being a rather nice Steiner f/2.9, the low end having a Steiner f/7.7, and this mid-range 75mm Steiner f/4.5</p><div></div>

<p>There's not a lot of coating apparent, and the lens appears to be a triplet. After a disastrous first film I removed the front elements, cleaned and re-collimated, and the improvement was remarkable. Steiner lenses are of interest to the collector, in that relatively few were produced. Karl Steiner began producing camera lenses in Bayreuth, virtually on his own, somewhere around 1947, and grew his business by creating lenses for mid-range manufacturers such as Braun and Franka. He tried his hand at a couple of cameras, the best-known being the 35mm Steinette, marketed in the UK as the Hunter. In 1955 he apparently saw the oncoming demise of the German popular camera industry and decided to specialise in binoculars. Today, Steiner Optik is a world leader in the optical field, renowned for binoculars, spotting scopes and military equipment.</p>

<p>The camera is basic, but solidly made and nicely finished. The viewfinder is small and inaccurate, but luckily errs on the side of pessimism, which allows the user to include most of the subject matter in an inadvertent sort of way. Focusing is by guesstimate, and the Vario shutter has speeds of 1/25, 1/75, 1/200 and "B".</p><div></div>

<p>Internally, the camera is a standard layout, with swing-out spool holders, all quite neat and tidy, with good rollers and pressure plate.</p><div></div>

<p>The Goldeck is not a pleasant camera to use. As mentioned, camera-shake is hard to avoid, and it's easy to knock the aperture setting while cocking the shutter. There's no double-exposure prevention mechanism, and the film advance has to be observed through the shuttered red window on the back. However, I managed to get a few reasonable images, the B&W's being from a Fuji Acros developed in D76, and the colour from some ancient Kodak Ektacolor 160. Scans were from the Epson V700.</p><div></div>

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<p>Thanks for sharing Rick. I didn't know this camera. Very interestng.</p>

<p>More proof, if it were needed, that the photographer is more important than the camera. Well done, I don't remember (though that's not unusual) every hearing about this one before.</p>

<p>You certainly do uncover some interesting cameras, never seen one of these...but have heard of them. Looks much better than I imagined it would be, seems quite neat. I have an Italian Falcon that operates in a similar manner, though this is a much cheaper, more basic camera.<br>

Your results are great, testament to what an understanding photographer can do with even basic equipment...and you do live in a lovely place...despite the Orcs.</p>

<p>Easy to operate or not I think it'a a nice looking beast. My two Zeiss 6X6 folders have f6.3 lenses and I'd love to find one with the f4.5 and a bit more shutter speed range.</p>

<p>The photo of the camera with it's back open looks like it is sitting on a cross section of the Bismark.</p>

<p>That's a pretty cool looking camera Rick, one I've never heard of at all. The pictures look very nice as well but to be honest, you capture beautiful images with anything you lay your hands on!</p>

<p>I had a Braun Paxina with an F2.9 lens a while back. The more upmarket version was the Braun Gloria.These extending tube 6x6 cameras seem to have had something of a vogue in the 1950's. Your results from such a basic piece of equipment are stunning.</p>

<p>You've coaxed some fine images out of this mystery of a camera. Once again, the camera is beautiful.</p>

<p>super cool</p>

Wonderful photos from an unknown camera. If you had said the lower valley was shot about 40 miles east of Seattle, I

would have believed you.

 

You would have to hold a gun to my head to get me use that hand bridge. But then, I down have a bridge in my name.

<p>I'd never heard of this one either. Ungainly-looking beast, but clearly capable of decent work. I particularly like Skyline, Village 001, Whistle Stop, and Lower Valley.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses! While it's frustrating using these old cameras, I'm gradually learning to restrain myself by trying to achieve only what the camera is capable of, and accepting the design limitations. Once really shouldn't attempt anything madly creative with a camera like the Goldeck... Well spotted, <strong>John R</strong>, the illustration <em>is</em> of the Bismark, naval encounters being another of my non-profitable interests. Thanks, <strong>Tony</strong>, my neck of the woods is not such a bad old patch, now we hairy-footed types have the Orcs under control, and<strong> David</strong> echoed the interest many wealthy US citizens have in acquiring chunks of it. Despite the name, I share your dislike of heights,<strong> David</strong>, but one day I'll post some images taken from the middle of that bridge; the view of the river far below is spectacular.</p>

<p>The Glorina and Paxina had the Pranaxar Bayreuth f/2.9 lens as I recall, <strong>John S</strong>, but I've not been able to establish that this was a Steiner lens, though it seems probable.Thanks, <strong>Yann</strong>, nice to see you here and, as usual, thank you <strong>Craig</strong>, <strong>JDM</strong>, <strong>Andy</strong>,<strong>Rob</strong> and <strong>Kozma</strong> for the kind words.</p>

Another great camera that I had not heard of. And great images too. Thanks for posting.

<p>Thanx a lot Rick, now I need one too. I really like those camera's were you pull out the lens tubus.</p>