Iloca Automatic with Ysarex 2,8 50mm lens

[daniel_iggers]

I just "won" an Iloca Automatic and case, you know where. (For $5.50

plus excessive $14 shipping within NY state. Search item #

7565826236 ). The lens is a Rodenstock Ysarex 2,8 50mm lens.

Supposedly everything works, and it looks nice (in the photos) -

apart from a slight bend in the filter ring.

 

The camera appears to be a chunky late '50s (1958) rangefinder with

a Synchro-Compur shutter (to 1/500), selenium meter and a meter

window on the top plate. It looks like a heftier re-jig of a Zeiss

Ikon Contessa from the same period.

 

There is very little information online. I found references to

Ysarex lenses in other focal lengths, and I think it is a Tessar-

type lens. There was a reference to Lanthanum glass, but that may

have been a reference to other Ysarex type lenses.

 

Can anyone shed additional light on this rare model?

[vincent_frazzetta]

I have no answers for you, but I do have a request: as a confirmed P.net "cruiser", I love looking at pics of these old beauties--could you post a shot of your find?

[daniel_iggers]

Here is a photo from the listing:

 

http://static.flickr.com/35/68502172_ccd4eb4006_o.jpg

[micah_henry]

Daniel,

 

Hi. I found this info on the British F. & S. Marriott website, located at http://www.marriottworld.com/pieces/pieces33.htm

 

"The Iloca Automatic is another camera dating from about 1958. It was made with several different lenses including a Rodenstock Ysarex 50 mm. f/2.8 lens, Cassarit f/2.8 50 mm. lens and Heligon f/2 50 mm. lens. It was fitted with a Compur-Rapid or a Synchro-Compur shutter. The camera has coupled match-needle metering and a coupled rangefinder.It was also sold as the Photix Automatic (but not, as far as I can see, in the UK). Fitted with the Rodenstock Ysarex lens, it cost ?52 6s. 2d. in 1959. It does not appear to have been sold in the UK after 1959."

 

That's about all I could find on Google that was pertinent.

 

--Micah in NC

[daniel_iggers]

Thanks. I just googled "Photix Automatic" and the only hit was the reference that you cited. These are rare birds indeed.

 

I would guess that by the late-1950s, facing the tidal wave of Japanese competition, second (third?) tier camera manufacturers such as Iloca and lens manufacturer Rodenstock (?) would have been hard pressed to fund R&D and product development.

[CosteaM]

Nice find Daniel, I keep my fingers crossed so you receive the camera in a usable condition. would love to see some pictures some time down the road. all the best

[daniel_iggers]

I definitely will post some photos. However, it could be a few weeks before I actually have the camera in my hands.

 

BTW, Mihai: I really liked those photos you posted of the secret fishing spot and the water lilies, takem with the - was it Halina Anastigmat?

[CosteaM]

yea, that was the Halina 35X with Halina Anastigmat lens.