In , we decided to move from the Northeast of Germany to the south-west, precisely form Berlin Wedding to Esslingen am Neckar. The Altix V is a quite compact viewfinder camera from Eho-Altissa. Unusual for a viewfinder camera, the III A and the models from the Altix V were equipped with interchangeable lenses, the latter with a proprietary Altix bayonet.
This page in German gives you a complete overview. The Altix V has a quite compact and solid build body but due to the rather long lens I would not describe it as a compact camera compared to a Kodak Retina or an Olympus 35 RC.
Besides this, the Altix V is a beautiful and well crafted camera. Open the camera with by turning the knob on the bottom. Remove the lower part, then open the door on the back. Cut your new film, so it fits to the take-up spool, then slide both from beneath into the camera. Advance the film, close the door, attach the bottom plate and lock it. This sound more complicated as it is, this article also in German, but easy to understand has a step-by-step instruction. Now set the film counter to the start mark after the 36, and you are ready to shoot.
Altix-N 24x36 interchangeable lenses, lever wind; name on top Altix-N From www. Click on the images to find the complete instruction manuals. Acoustic g60t manual V-tech brilliant creations advanced notebook manual Pau manual transfer Gmc sierra owners manual The project umbrella user guide Altissa altix manual dexterity Hugo elite walker manual Sony str-daes manual Racv energy breakthrough handbook ford 8a12aur manual transmission.
Both are in mint condition. These even had matched-colour accessory viewfinders, which are extremely rare these days. An early version of the Altix-V with 'Altix' in capitals on the top housing. Pushing the red button left of the lens mount allowed the cocking lever to be pushed further as to activate the time delay. Export model of the early version of the Altix-V with 'Altix' in capitals on the top housing. This example is fitted with the rare E. Top view of the same export Altix.
The small window next to the name Altix indicated the flash setting, which could be adjusted with a small lever beneath the lens. This version did not yet have a film reminder dial integrated in the rewind knob, in contrast to the later models below.
A later version of the Altix-V with 'Altix' in italics on the top housing and a film reminder dial integrated in the rewind knob. Other small differences compared to the earlier version were the grey time delay button left of the lens and the viewfinder window, which no longer had two screws to secure the front glass.
A late version of the Altix-V in green leather, the authenticity of which can be verified by the embossed Altissa logo and model number at the back. This particular example was made a little earlier than the same version above, as it still had a time delay button with red dot.
A late export version of the Altix-V with 'Altix' in italics on the top housing and a little window next to it that indicated the X-M-V settings on the shutter. The Altix-n was the result of a considerable redesign of the Altix body. The Altix would continue to be refined, with the Altix III and IV released in and respectively, improving the ergonomics, shutter, and lenses of the camera.
It would be the first Altissa exported to western countries where it was sold there as the Classic In , the Altix IV would be upgraded to have an interchangeable lens mount and would be called the Altix V. Several high quality German lenses were available for the Altix designed by Zeiss and Meyer-Optik, which helped elevate the reputation of the Altix cameras to a much higher level than the earlier variants.
Featuring a squared off body with a flat top plate, the Altix-n had a much larger and brighter viewfinder, a lever wind, and a removable back for easier film loading compared to the bottom loading design of all previous models.
The Altix-n used the same breech lock mount as the Altix V and was compatible with the same lenses. There would also be an Altix-nb with an uncoupled selenium light meter, which is the model being reviewed here.
There are two variants of the Altix-nb with the exposure meter in different locations, both sold with the same name. The earlier versions had a top mounted meter that increased the overall height of the camera to accommodate the meter. At this same time, both the Altix-n and Altix-nb would receive another upgrade to the viewfinder adding projected frame lines for 50 and 90mm lenses. It would appear that a possible rangefinder variant of the Altix was in development around the time of the Altix-nb as some examples have a provision under the top plate for a rangefinder window and mirror.
There are reports that a few test models were produced and at least one is in a private collection, but I have never seen it. All other Altissa cameras would be discontinued except for the Altix-n and nb models.
These final two cameras would be produced at least until , perhaps even You can easily identify a VEB Kinowerke Dresden Altix by the presence of the Ernemann tower logo embossed into the leatherette on the film door.
After the final Altix models stopped production, the history of Altissa and all the various different versions of the company that preceded it would come to an end. During this time, the company concentrated mostly on screw mount SLRs. I have written about camera companies with confusing histories before, but this one was one of the most difficult.
On more than one occasion, I found conflicting info about some of the dates or names listed above. I tried to use my best judgement to try and compile a chronological order, but I fully acknowledge that I may have gotten some facts wrong.
If anyone reading this has more accurate info regarding the history of the Altissa company, please let me know by using the Contact option at the top of my site. Searching for the Classic 35 model is nearly impossible due to the generic sounding name. If you are located in Europe where these cameras were more common, finding one for a good price is probably not that difficult, but for people in the US like myself, your best option for finding a nice Altix is to buy internationally. The first time I ever saw an Altix, it was a model IV and I loved the look of the body, the curves around the edges of the lens mount, the stepped top plate and the beautiful lens.
Most Altixes have a Trioplan lens, but many also have a Zeiss Tessar, both excellent lenses. The interesting film compartment, the interlink between the shutter release and the cocking lever on the shutter, and then the very tiny viewfinder.
While not the tiniest ever, for a camera made in the middle of the s, this was pretty small. I wear prescription glasses and find these small viewfinders to be very difficult to use. Ooh, I thought! I should get one of these. I was in Altix heaven! I knew that yes, this was the model I must have.
It would take some time before I found one in my usual budget, but I finally located one and waited patiently for it to arrive. The meter was dead, and there was an ever so slight hint of internal haze somewhere inside the Tessar lens, but nothing that should dramatically affect images. The shutter fired at all speeds with an authoritative snap, the viewfinder was clear, but sadly, the projected frame lines were extremely dim.
I found it a bit peculiar that the viewfinder could be so bright and clear, but the frame lines were almost invisible. Perhaps some previous owner of the camera had opened it up, and in an attempt to clean it, accidentally wiped off the lines or something. Oh well, I should be able to still use the camera. As it turns out, the Altix-nb is unique in that the projected frame lines get their light from the top of the camera, and not the front like how pretty much every other camera works.
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