jordan_w. Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 The subject says it all. I don't hear much mention of Zenobia 6x4.5 folders, made by Daiichi Optical Company in (I believe) the 1950s. Mine has a 75mm f/3.5 Hesper Anastigmat lens with a DOC-Rapid shutter. Speeds from 1-1/500th including B, apertures down to f/22. Focus is by scale and film advance by the "red window" method. Mine has a slightly hazy lens -- which enabled me to get it from that auction site for a great price -- but I love it. It is super-compact when folded and it takes nice pictures (though slightly flare-prone at times, probably due to the haze?) It is well-made and has a real quality feel to it -- much more so than my Moskva 5. The scale-focussing doesn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. Any other Zenobia fans out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole_tjugen Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 Maybe not a "fan", but a "user". It's one of my "classics", and not the least used either. Considering that I learned photography on a folder, scale focussing and exposure guesswork is not a problem at all. The only thing that bothers me with mine is that the scale is in feet - and I think in meters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tito sobrinho Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 The first Zenobia, I bought 4 years ago and had the Hesper lens but, I had to remove the front cell due to hazy lens. I cleaned and was perfect. One year ago, I traded it for a 6x4.5 mask for my 1955 MX Super Ikonta C+ early Zeiss literature. The second Zenobia, I bought 2 years ago in E++ condition with the Neo-Hesper lens that I believe is a Tessar copy. It gives me excellent pictures and I would agreed; it does not compare with my Moskva 5. Fortunately, I have the Watameter rangefinder that measures in feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_oleson Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I've got a couple; one was quite good until the bellows tanked, and i'm still hoping to work up the courage to make a new bellows for it (never done that before). Lens is a Tessar type and pretty good, though the coating isn't as effective as some others (a common situation in the late 40s/early 50s). they made their OWN shutter, and it's a beautiful piece of work, looks as nice as a seiko or compur inside. the other one is an early example, and the shutter (though it looks identical outside) is a real mess: rough machining, parts don't fit... i suspect it never worked quite right and i sure can't make it work now. interesting to see how they improved so fast..... :)= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shaeffer1 Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 Better than Zeiss for a fraction of the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordan_w. Posted December 18, 2003 Author Share Posted December 18, 2003 Interesting stuff guys. What is the difference between the Hesper and Neo-Hesper lenses? Is it a triplet vs. Tessar thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.antiquecameras.net Posted December 21, 2003 Share Posted December 21, 2003 Hesper is 3 element, Neo = 4 elements. Very simple, light camera. The results of the 3 element camera equal that a very good, newer 35mm outfit due to the Zenobia's larger film format. Compared to other med format folders - it is just adequate.<p Dan<p> <a href="http://www.antiquecameras.net">www.antiquecameras.net</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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