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Closter Princess
France Version française
Photos by MC text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of Paris Enchères. Last update 2023-05-01 par Michel Rochevalier.

Manufactured or assembled in Italy from 1955 to 1956.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 14430

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Closter 

The 1950s and early 1960s were a prosperous period for the image of the Italian economy. Vespa, Fiat, Alfa (Gina, Sophia) are emblematic of this era: pleasure, economy, youth, speed...
The photographic industry also played its part. Alongside brands offering low and mid-range products, some manufacturers produced highly regarded cameras. Even if not all of them were named Rectaflex, there was room for companies like Closter, Galileo, and others.

During the 1950s, Closter, a manufacturer based in Rome, produced several series of cameras: Closter, Princess, Sport, C60, and more.

 

Model   Year (c.) Lens Shutter Rangefinder

Princess   1953-55 Aries 3.5/50 1 to 1/300, B Yes
(round window)
Princess 1955-56 Aries 3.5/50 1 to 1/300, B Yes
Princess Junior 1954-56 Aries 3.5/50 1 to 1/300, B  
Princess S   1955-56 Aries 3.5/50 1/25 to 1/200 Yes
Princess Junior S 1955-56 Aries 3,5/50 1/25 to 1/200  
Princess II 1957 Zemen 2.8/50 1 to 1/300, B Yes
Princess II   1957 Isco Westanar 2.8/50 1 to 1/300, B Yes
Princess Record   1958 Aries 3.5/50 1 to 1/300, B  


The Closter Princess is a fixed-lens rangefinder camera with a capable shutter. The rangefinder's base is quite wide, making it fairly accurate, but since there is no distance adjustment on the lens, you have to turn the horizontally mounted wheel marked "métri" on the top plate. Unfortunately, its position doesn't allow for spontaneity as you need to release the camera with one hand to turn it.

The shutter isn't cocked by film advance; you still have to operate the lever on the shutter itself.

To make the Princess more affordable, Closter expanded the range with models lacking a rangefinder, known as the Princess Junior. Another way to lower the selling price was to offer versions with a shutter lacking slow speeds, designated as the S models.

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Not yet translated into English

Le premier modèle de Princess se rencontre sous la forme de deux types se distinguant par la forme de la fenêtre antérieure du télémètre.
Sur cet exemplaire, elle est carrée, alors que pour l'autre type elle est ronde. 
Le Princess II qui le remplacera aura un objectif plus lumineux, ouvrant à 2,8. 

Closter Princess





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