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Pontiac Bloc Metal 145 |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in France from 1946 to 1953.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1683
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Pontiac
The Pontiac folding cameras were featured in distributor catalogs from 1940 to 1953. The period of occupation during World War II complicates the analysis from 1940 to 1945, a time when there may not have been any production and few sales catalogs.
All of these cameras are 6 x 9 cm in size and are divided into three series.
The third series includes the Bloc Métal 45 (BM45) and the Bloc Metal 145 (BM145). These cameras are also made from aluminum and feature an elegant design. A significant effort was put into the mold, giving certain areas a metallic surface that mimics fabric texture. A cover integrates the single viewfinder, the film advance knob, the shutter release button, a shoe for a rangefinder, and a depth of field calculation table. The difference between the BM 45 and 145 lies in the shutter performance and lens quality, with the BM 145 being the top of the line. The Bloc Metal 145 is available from 1946 to 1953, while the BM 45 is available from 1947 to 1953. The "45" in the name refers to the year of the model's design. They use reduced axis spools (620).
The BM 45 comes in several variants:
- 1947: Prontor II with a delay of 1 to 1/175. Untreated 4.5 lens with 3 elements, no specific brand mentioned.
- 1948: Prontor II with a delay of 1 to 1/200 (or 1/175, depending on the catalogs). Berthiot Special 4.5 lens with three elements or Roussel Trylor 4.5 uncoated (Pontiac Bloc Metal 45 A), or Berthiot Flor 4.5 coated, with 5 elements (Pontiac Bloc Metal 45 B), or Berthiot Special or Roussel Trylor 4.5 treated (Pontiac Bloc Metal 45 AF). The 45 B is the most expensive. The untreated Berthiot Special lens disappears quickly.
In 1949, Photo-Plait combines them all, calling the 45 B "45 Luxe" and some others "45 Standard." In the same year, Photo-Hall revises the naming:
- 45 AS with Roussel Trylor 4.5 lens, unsynchronized Gitzo shutter B, 1/25 to 1/200.
- 45 AS with Roussel Trylor 4.5 lens, synchronized Prontor II shutter with delay B, 1 to 1/200.
- 45 AFS with treated Berthiot 4.5 lens, unsynchronized Gitzo shutter B, 1/25 to 1/200.
- 45 AFS with treated Berthiot 4.5 lens, synchronized Prontor II shutter with delay B, 1 to 1/200.
- 45 BS with treated Berthiot Flor 4.5 lens, unsynchronized Gitzo shutter B, 1/25 to 1/200.
- 45 BS with treated Berthiot Flor 4.5 lens, synchronized Prontor II shutter with delay B, 1 to 1/200.
Note that only Photo-Hall mentions these versions with Gitzo shutters.
By the end of 1949, Photo-Plait only presents the 45 AF and the 45 B.
In 1950, Photo-Hall returns to simpler references (45 A, 45 AF, and 45 B).
The BM 145 features a Compur-Rapid shutter (B, T, 1 to 1/400) with delay and a treated Berthiot Flor 4.5 lens with 5 elements.
Sur le Bloc Metal 145, l’obturateur n’est plus un Prontor II mais un Compur-Rapid au 1/400ème. Prévu à l’origine pour s'appeler Pontiac-Rapide, le nom de Compur fut conservé en y ajoutant la mention Licence française. D'après Bernard Vial, ces obturateurs étaient montés en France à partir d'un stock de pièces détachées provenant de chez Deckel.
Mais les obturateurs obtenus ne bénéficient pas des derniers progrés effectués chez le fabricant allemand, ce qui explique qu'il n'y a pas de synchro-flash.
Habituellement réalisés en hydronalium fondu poli, comme tous les Bloc-Métal 45, cet exemplaire se présente gainé.
Interesting links or bibliography :
 |  |  Le Photo Almanach Prisma de 1946 |  Prospectus de Pontiac, tamponnée Photo Georges Chapelain, Decazeville (12) |  Photo France (N° 9) de 9/1951 |
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