|
Stegemann Geheim-Camera |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1893 to 1896.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 13608
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Stegemann
The Geheim-Camera was developed by A. Stegemann in 1893, and was one of the very first strut folding cameras equipped with focal plane shutter. It was called ‘Geheim’, meaning secret, as it was made to operate by hand and not on tripod as most of the period cameras. At the turn of the century this type of cameras was seen as very discrete and even unnoticed! The camera concept was designed by Dr Richard Neuhauss, a doctor from Berlin that was the co-editor of the Photographische Rundschau. Interestingly, the folding mechanism is said to be derived from the popular articulated hat ‘Chapeau-Claque’ (see the article of Jan Beenken on Photo Antiquaria, 132, pp. 50-53). The camera was made for 9 x 12 only, but in 1896 it was redesigned, and additional formats were provided and not much after it changed the name to ‘Hand-Camera’. Nowadays the term ‘Geheim-Camera’ is applied to this first version, made between 1893 and 1896.
The pictured specimen (serial 62) has a Carl Zeiss Jena Anastigmat with a focal length of 105 mm and a fast (for the time) maximum aperture of 6.3. According to Hartmut Thiele the lens early serial number (8404) indicates a production from March 1894. But the model could also be equipped with a Goerz Doppel anastigmat 1:7.7/120 mm.
The focal plane shutter relies on variable tension only, and the slit width is fixed. This makes impossible to open the shutter completely for time exposures. The shutter is thus removable and must be removed for long exposures. According to the period adverts from A. Stegemann “the adjustable slits are very difficult to regulate and not particularly comfortable”. From 1896 the Stegemann strut folding cameras (Hand-Camera) were equipped with Lewinsohn’s shutter.
Stegemann Geheim-Camera open and ready for action
Interesting links or bibliography :
Add a link or element of bibliography, a picture taken with this camera, a picture of box or an ads about this camera
Your photos taken with the same camera:
Cameras from Ebay France (Stegemann) (Uploaded each 3 hours)