Pontiac Bloc Metal 45

Photos by Sylvain Halgand text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of Sylvain Halgand. Last update 2014-04-26 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in France from 1946 to (After) 1953.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 172

See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Pontiac

Traduction de Sylvain Halgand

Bloc Metal 45 ensured in the Pontiac range the succession of Bloc Metal 41. As its number indicates it Bloc-Métal 45 launched in 1946 (!!!!).

It is about one 6 X 9 ( 620). As for Lynx, the body is made of aluminum (hydronalium according to the notes). The grooves are painted in black, whereas the top is polished. Contrary to the 41, 45 hve a body with the round forms. The body is provided with a circular table depth of field. Threading to fix it on a tripod ( congress thread) is protected by a screwed stopper. The shutter release is on the body and retracts when the camera is closed.
The BM 45 have a tiny crutch which makes it possible to hold the camera in horizontal position. This crutch is difficult to discover. It is located at the junction of the right articulation of closing and the reduction, very close of where fit the flexible shutter release.

There are several models of Bloc-Métal 45:
45 a: Trylor Roussel 4,5/105 mm lens with 3 lenses, Prontor II shutter B, T, 1,2,5,10,25,50,100,200 seconds

45 B (Luxury): With Flor Berthiot 4,5/105 mm lens with 5 treated lenses, Prontor II (Gauthier) shutter B, T, 1,2,5,10,25,50,100,175 secondes

Last model with Trylor Roussel 4,5/105 mm lens or Spécial Berthiot coated 4,5 to 3 lenses, Zotic shutter B, 25,50,100,200 secondes (certain speeds and the time exposure T disappeared on this "economic" model)

45 AF with Spécial Berthiot lens and Prontor II shutter. 145 which is only equipped with a Compur shutter (1/400 secondes)