Futura-S Camera

My Futura-S camera.

As a camera collector for over 50 years, I was unaware of the Futura cameras for almost 45 years. It wasn't until a friend and fellow collector mentioned the Futura camera that it stuck in the back of my mind, as I haven't come across one in all these years of collecting.

 After hearing about the Futura cameras, I did some research and had many questions: How well were they built? How many lenses were available? How many different models did they offer? What lens mount did the camera offer? So I pulled out my trusty camera bible, McKeown's camera guide, and started to learn about the little-known (to me) brand of Futura cameras.

Futura Logo on the camera

Having purchased my Futura-S camera in a "lot" of cameras purchased, and it wasn't until I received the box of cameras that I noticed one of the cameras was the Futura-S. The only thing in the photo of the camera "lot" was the back of the brown case. The top of the case was missing, so I figured it was some random or very common camera that I've owned in the past, but when I took the camera out of the case, the Futura was in surprisingly good condition and seemed to be working, too.

 Picking up the camera, I set the shutter speeds to higher speeds to see if the shutter fired, and it did. The transport moved and cocked the shutter. The lens looked clean, and then I tried some of the slower speeds on the camera. That's where I ran into some difficulty. The slower speeds locked up the shutter, and it wasn't until I reset the shutter speeds to a higher speed that the shutter closed, and I was able to cock the shutter again.

 One of my first thoughts was I wanted to run some film through the camera to see how it handled it. Then, I felt compelled to write about my experience with the camera and how it was handled, knowing I couldn't use any shutter speed lower than 1/50 in my testing experience.

History:

Fritz Kuhnert founded Optische Anstalt in Freiburg, Germany in 1942. The company initially manufactured optical equipment for the German military during World War II. The factory was bombed and destroyed during the war. In 1946, Fritz rebuilt the company in Gundelfingen, a nearby town, and concentrated his efforts on producing consumer cameras due to the growing photography market.

 1947, the company introduced its first camera at Photokina, the Efka 24. It was a simple scale-focus camera that used 35mm film to produce 24x24mm images. The name "Efka" was derived from the phonetic spelling of Kuhnert's initials, "FK." In 1950, the company introduced the Futura, a more advanced 35mm rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses and a proprietary screw mount. The lenses were named after Kuhnert's family members: Elor (his wife Elenore), Evar (his daughter Eva), and Petar (his son Peter). 

 In 1951, due to financial difficulties, Kuhnert sold the company Hamburg ship-line owners Ernst and Eduard Komorowski, who renamed it Futura Kamerawerk GmbH. Under their ownership, the company produced four different 35mm rangefinder cameras, including the Futura S, which was introduced in 1952. This model featured a Synchro-Compur shutter and maintained its predecessor's distinctive design and lens mount. They also produced two of the fastest standard 50mm and portrait 70mm lenses of the time with a maximum aperture of F1.5, named Futura Frilon.

 Futura Kamerawerk struggled to compete with established German brands like Leica and the emerging Japanese camera industry despite producing high-quality cameras. The company ceased operations in 1957 and closed the factory in 1958. Today, Futura cameras are valued by collectors for their unique design and historical significance.

My Camera:

My Futura-S is 5" wide by 3" tall by 2.5" deep with my Futura Elor 50mm f2.8 lens. Without the fitted leather case, my camera weighs 1 lb. 9.4 oz. The Futura-S is a very well-made camera but a bit heavy due to its solid cast metal body. I prefer heavier cameras because they fit my hands better. Cameras like the Nikon F body, the Robot Royal, and now the Futura cameras feel comfortable.

The "S" in the Futura line stands for Syncro-Compur, or the shutter system used on this camera. All of the exposure controls are located around or on the lens. The shutter speed dial is located on the outside of the lens area and is moved by two knobs on opposite ends of the dial. The shutter speeds go from 1/500 to 1 sec. along with "B". Also, on the bottom of the shutter speed ring is "Futura Freiburg."

 The focus is controlled by the ring just inside the shutter speed control. This ring has a larger knob sticking out to change the focus as needed to create a sharp focus. The aperture ring is on the lens barrel itself. The aperture range is f/2.8 to f/22. There is an even larger knob located on the outside of the shutter speed ring, which sets the flash sync for "X," electronic flash, or "M," bulb flash.

To remove the lens, you unthread it from the body. The lens has a proprietary thread mount of 33.8mm, so it's not your usual Leica or Pentax thread mount system. I must say, the lens has a very fluid and lean look to it. On the back of the camera is the rangefinder viewing eyepiece. The rangefinder on my camera is exceptionally bright and accurate. We'll see when I test the camera with film in it.

On top of the camera going from left to right, is the rewind knob, which has an arrow on top to show the direction to turn to rewind the film into the cassette. Next is a cold shoe used for a mounted meter or flash attachment.  Behind the cold shoe is a pointer switch, which you can point to either  SW, 'Schwartz/Weiss' (Black & White); C, 'Color'; CN, 'Color Negative.', which is a reminder to the photographer to the film in the camera. Thank you, David Babsky and Mike Eckman, for this information. 

 Next to the cold shoe is a lever which on my camera is a non working on my camera self-timer. Above that and slightly to the right is an additive frame counter. Twist the dial to "0" when you load the film, and the frame counter increases. Just below the frame counter is the cable release threaded shutter release. An interesting item about the shutter release is you can "lock" it down for longer exposures by turning it to the right after depressing it, which locks it in the open position until you turn it to the left to release it. 

Having the locking shutter release is good if you don't have a cable release, but the bad thing is you're still moving the camera a bit during exposure, which might create blur in the image. On the far right is the film advance knob. This turns counterclockwise to advance the film.

 Four nubs on the bottom of the camera lift it and give it stability when placed on a flat surface. Also, there are two knurled buttons, one on the left, to release the drive gear and allow the film to be rewound into the film cassette. The larger one in the center of the camera opens the back of the camera to load film. Slide the larger button toward the arrow pointing to "O," and the back will come off by pulling it down.

Once the back is off the camera, the take-up spool comes out for more effortless film loading. The camera's serial number is imprinted on the metal plate under the frame window. My serial number is S11244. When you put the back onto the camera and slide it up, it automatically locks onto the camera.

 My Results:

Now that I have put a roll of T-Max 400, 24-exposure film into the camera, which I purchased out of date a few months back, I want to walk around the neighborhood to take photos. Unfortunately, my wife was taking a nap, so I needed to keep my eye on our two dogs, who have a tendency to bark when out of sight. So, I just stayed mainly in my backyard to take the photos.

 I have to say the camera was extremely fun to shoot with, but the one thing that kept bugging me was the camera advance knob. I'm just not used to turning the knob counterclockwise to advance the film. It's not that big of a deal, but I kept turning it clockwise for the first few frames to advance the frame. Once I had it in my head that the winding knob was "backward," it went smoothly, and the camera did a fantastic job. 

 Here are a few of the frames from my backyard.

Conclusion:

I don't know how I didn't know about the Futura-S for so many years. It's a fantastic German rangefinder camera with excellent optics. While my camera could use a complete CLA to bring it up to excellent condition, I have to say that for its condition, it did great.

 I can see why this is a desirable camera, especially for the discounted price from top brands like Leica or Alpa. The camera is compact and easy to use, and the rangefinder produces fantastic results.

 Thank you for taking a few minutes from your day to read about this underappreciated German rangefinder built in the 1950s.

 I'd love to hear from you if you have any questions or comments about this camera.

 Until next week, please be safe. 

Original Model K1 Rolleiflex

My Rolleiflex K1 Camera

As is common for me, I purchased this original Rolleiflex model with many cameras, which included some other items I was more interested in. In the photo of the camera lot, I could see the Rolleiflex name, but the image was so small that I couldn't tell what model it was or even if it was in working condition. I took a shot; as I mentioned earlier, I was more interested in some items, and the Rolleiflex was more of the icing on the cake regarding the importance.

 Once I received the items in the lot and looked them over, the main items were great, and I was happy to have them. I picked up the Rolleiflex and checked on the camera's serial number, which was a low number. I have serial number 118104. From what I can see online, this is one of the first batches of cameras made. While the original Rolleiflex camera was only made from 1929 to 1932, a few modifications were made.

 In the photo, the Rolleiflex looked well used, and the top light chimney looked a bit wonky, which it was and still is today. When I tried to open the top, one of the side wings was jammed closed and wrapped under one of the other side wings, and I couldn't look down the chimney to see if the focusing screen was there. I took out my set of small screwdrivers and unscrewed the top 4 screws to remove the light chimney to fix it and bend the sides out a bit to make the chimney more usable.

Early Rolleiflex name and serial number

 Once I took the top off, I noticed the focusing screen was in good condition and still had the bubble level. It was a very clever idea to put in the camera when it was manufactured almost 100 years ago. 

The Company:

I reviewed the original Art Deco-style Rolleicord a few months ago, and here's what I wrote about the company's history then.

 Rollei holds a significant place in photographic history. Founded in 1920 in Braunschweig, Germany, by Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke, the company originally bore the name "Franke & Heidecke." Initially, it focused on precision mechanical devices, but by the mid-1920s, Rollei began producing cameras that would revolutionize photography.

 Rollei gained international recognition in 1929 with the launch of the Rolleiflex, the first twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera. The Rolleiflex was compact, robust, and designed for medium-format photography. Its unique twin-lens system featured one lens for viewing and focusing and another for capturing the image on film. This innovative design allowed photographers to frame shots at waist level, making candid photography more discreet and practical. The Rolleiflex quickly became a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts, particularly for portrait and documentary work.

The success of the Rolleiflex led to the introduction of the Rolleicord, a more affordable version aimed at amateur photographers. Both models showcased Rollei's commitment to precision engineering and optical excellence, which became hallmarks of the brand.

 During the 1930s and 1940s, Rollei continued to innovate, refining the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord lines with features such as automatic film winding and improved optics. Despite the challenges of World War II, the company maintained its reputation for high-quality cameras. In the post-war era, Rollei played a significant role in the resurgence of the German camera industry.

The 1950s and 1960s marked a golden age for Rollei. The Rolleiflex TLR became synonymous with professional photography and was used by renowned photographers such as Richard Avedon, Diane Arbus, and Vivian Maier. Rollei also ventured into other formats and technologies. The Rolleiflex 35mm SLR, introduced in the late 1950s, showcased the company's adaptability to the changing market demands.

 By the 1970s, the rise of Japanese camera manufacturers like Nikon, Canon, and Minolta introduced intense competition. These companies offered high-quality single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras at more affordable prices, challenging Rollei's dominance in medium-format and professional photography. However, Rollei's resilience and ability to adapt to changing market conditions inspired by its history.

In response, Rollei diversified its product line, introducing the Rolleiflex SL66, a medium-format SLR, and the compact Rollei 35, which became one of its most miniature 35mm cameras. Despite these innovations, Rollei struggled to maintain its market share due to its higher production costs and its competitors' rapidly advancing technology.

 In the 1980s and 1990s, Rollei faced financial difficulties, leading to changes in ownership and restructuring. The company shifted focus to digital imaging and niche markets, including high-end studio cameras and digital backs for medium-format systems.

The Rollei legacy endures as a symbol of German engineering and innovation, reflecting a century of dedication to the art and science of photography. This enduring legacy evokes a sense of respect and admiration for the brand's contribution to the field of photography.

My Camera:

My early Model K Rolleiflex is 5.25" tall and 3.5" wide by 3.75" deep. These measurements are with the light chimney closed. If I open the light chimney, the camera is 7.5" tall and weighs 1 lb. 9.7 oz. with the original lens cap and without film loaded into the camera. My camera has a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 7.5cm f3.8 lens, serial #1310339, for the taking lens, and for the viewing lens is a Heidoscope Anastigmat 75mm f3.1 lens, serial #120850. 

The lens is in an F.Deckel-Munchen Compur shutter with speeds from 1/300 to 1 sec. along with "B" & "T". The shutter speeds are set by turning a chrome ring on the outside of the shutter ring. The shutter cocking lever is on the left side of the camera as you view it from the front, and the shutter release is on the right side. The aperture ring goes from F3.8 to F32 and is set by a sliding ring just outside the shutter ring.

Taking lens, and shutter-aperture settings on my original K1 Rolleiflex

The light chimney or light hood is the most interesting thing about the camera. To open the light chimney, on the back of the camera, there is a small lever you need to press down to unlock the chimney. The front and sides will spring open if the chimney is in good working order. Since mine is not in perfect condition, the front opens, but I need to coax the sides to open correctly. Once the chimney is open, you can view the focus screen.

 On the back of the chimney is a magnifying glass on a spring. It can be flipped over and locked into the front part of the chimney, where it can be used for critical focus. Pressing the front part of the chimney releases the magnifying glass, and it returns to its normal position. 

 On the backside of the front wing of the chimney was a mirror, or a highly polished metal piece that flips down with a lever on the left side of the chimney. When the magnifying glass is in the "up" position, and you flip the lever down, the mirror will be at an angle that you can use the back as a level finder and focus the camera while viewing the image through the back opening of the chimney. I really liked this feature as it gives the camera a lot of flexibility when shooting. To close the chimney, fold down the sides first; the back and the front will close, covering the camera.

On the right side of the camera are two knobs. The larger knob on the top is the film advance knob. Around the knob are numbered from 1-12, but the numbers aren't in order; they go 1,7,12, small space, then 5,3,8, small space, 9, small space, and 6,2,10,1,11. At first, I thought these were frame numbers, but the sequences are so off. I know the first camera models were made for film size 117, and the camera only took six exposures with larger gaps between frames. There is also a red arrow pointing towards the number, but it didn't change when I put the film in the camera and advanced it to the next photo. Maybe someone can explain this sequence to me.

 The lower and smaller knob is the focus knob. On the inside are distance numbers, but there is no feet or meter setting. On the camera's left side is a lug, which was used to connect the strap.

The back door locking mechanism is on the bottom of the camera, and there is a tripod socket and a second red window with a cover. I didn't use that frame counting window, as I used the one on the back of the camera as I would for most cameras. To open the back door to load film, you lift the silver-hinged locking mechanism, which opens the back door. After doing some research on the camera, I found that this model doesn't take 120 film like all the other Rolleiflex models. 

I tried anyway, and it's too wide and didn't fit into the film chamber. Luckily, I have some outdated Agfa 620 films that fit correctly. I put the empty spool on the top. You can pull out the larger knob to load film into the camera, then press it in to lock the reel into place. I put the outdated Agfa roll into the camera, fed the leader into the empty spool, wound the film to start, closed the back of the camera, and wound the film to frame number 1. Now, I'm ready to take the camera out on an adventure to see how the camera performs.

 

My Results:

My wife and I planned a trip to Lake Quinault in the Olympic National Forest, so I wandered the lake's hotel grounds with a fantastic camera loaded with film and took some photos. Here are a few of the images from this trip.

Conclusion:

The camera performed very well, and the images were nice and sharp. The focusing screen was dark compared to the newer cameras. Still, it did an excellent job for a camera almost 100 years old and was extremely fun to shoot with. Due to the age of the film, the images have a mottled appearance when looking at something without detail, like the sky or lake. But that doesn't affect the camera's usability, which was overall very good.

 I'd love to hear from you. If you have one of these cameras and have questions or want to let me know what you think of the camera, please leave a comment, and I'll get back to you soon.

 Thank you for taking a few minutes from your day to read about this fantastic camera.

 Until next week, please be safe.

Leica I

My Leica I camera

I purchased the Leica I camera and accessories around 6 years ago when I saw a local ad of someone wanting to sell off a recently departed family member's old cameras. I responded to the ad, and for some reason, the person liked my passion for cameras and photography, so when I heard that the camera they had from a grandparent was a Leica, it piqued my interest. They had mentioned that the camera was in good shape and had some accessories in a case; I told them I was interested in seeing what they had.

 I try not to get into situations where you meet someone with some valuable equipment at a random location, so for safety reasons for both parties, we met at a local police station, which was agreeable to both. When they pulled out the case and I saw it was an early Leica, my heart fluttered a bit. 

My Leica I outfit

 Pulling the camera from the case, I found it in excellent condition and working. All the shutter speeds sounded accurate to the ear, and the rangefinder and extra film cassette were in the metal container and within the case, too. The owner wanted to be sure the camera was going to a good home and not just being sold. I reassured the person that I planned on keeping the camera and shooting with it, which they loved.

 Since adding the Leica I to my collection, I've made a point to keep it in top condition. Every now and then, I take it out and give the shutter a few test clicks to ensure it's in good working order. However, due to my busy schedule, I hadn't had the chance to load a roll of film and actually use the camera until recently.

 I wanted to write about the Leica 1 for my blog about a month ago.  I took the camera out and started to put a roll of film into the camera to shoot with it, and the shutter jammed. What bad luck! I called my friend Allen Wade at CameraWerks in NY, who always does a terrific job servicing my cameras and lenses. I sent the Leica 1 along with a few other items to him to get serviced. About a month later, I received the cameras back from him, and they were in fabulous condition. At this point, I put a fresh roll of film into the camera to see how the camera worked so I could write about it.

The Company:

Oskar Barnack was a German optical engineer who revolutionized photography by inventing the first practical 35mm camera, the Leica I. Born in 1879, Barnack initially worked in the optical industry, eventually joining Ernst Leitz Optische Werke, a German company specializing in microscopes and optical instruments. His pioneering work in miniaturizing cameras led to the creation of the Leica, which forever changed the way photographs were taken.

Ad for Leica 1

 Before Barnack's innovation, photography relied on bulky, cumbersome cameras that used large-format glass plates or film sheets. These devices were difficult to transport and required long exposure times, limiting their usability. An enthusiastic amateur photographer, Barnack sought to develop a more compact and convenient camera system that would still produce high-quality images. He turned to 35mm cinema film, which was already used in the motion picture industry, and repurposed it for still photography. He aimed to create a small, lightweight camera that could capture multiple images on a single roll of film.

 Around 1913-1914, Barnack developed a prototype of what would later become the Leica (short for "Leitz Camera"). This early model, known as the "Ur-Leica," used perforated 35mm film and a horizontal transport mechanism. The key innovation was that the film was advanced in small increments, allowing multiple exposures on a roll rather than requiring a single frame per exposure. Barnack also incorporated a focal-plane shutter, providing precise control over exposure times.

 The outbreak of World War I delayed the commercialization of the Leica. Still, in 1924, Ernst Leitz II, head of the Leitz company, decided to move forward with production. The Leica I was officially introduced at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, marking the beginning of the 35mm camera revolution. The camera instantly succeeded due to its portability, superior image quality, and innovative design.

 Leica cameras quickly became popular among professional and amateur photographers, particularly in journalism and street photography. Their ability to take quick, candid shots without cumbersome equipment made Leica the camera of choice for legendary photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa.

 Over the decades, Leica continued to innovate, introducing models such as the Leica II (1932) with interchangeable lenses and the Leica M series (1954), which refined the rangefinder design. The company also played a crucial role in developing optical advancements, such as high-quality lenses like the Summicron and Noctilux.

 Today, Leica remains an iconic brand known for its precision engineering and commitment to craftsmanship. Oskar Barnack's vision laid the foundation for modern photography, and his pioneering work continues to influence camera design and photographic culture worldwide.

My Camera:

The first thing I noticed when I started to use the Leica I was how compact the camera is. When the lens is retracted, the camera is one you can put into your coat pocket to have handy when traveling or just for everyday use. The camera is 5.25" wide by 2.5" tall, including the winding knobs and viewfinder, by 1 5/8" deep when the lens is retracted and 2.5" deep when the lens is extended. My Leica 1 weighs just under 1 lb. and comes in at 15.6 oz without film loaded into the camera. The serial number on my camera is 19569, which, according to the lists online, the camera was made in 1929, along with a bit over 8,000 made that year. The Leica 1 cameras were made between 1926 and 1931 and were popular, producing approximately 70,000 cameras during that time. My camera comes with a Leitz Elmar 50mm f3.5 lens, and I've looked everywhere but do not see a serial number on the lens. This could be because the camera didn't have interchangeable lenses, and the serial number for the camera was enough.

The early Leica is different from the later models as the rangefinder is separate and needs to be attached to the accessory shoe for the photographer to achieve fine focus on the subject. Once the photographer uses the rangefinder, they need to transfer the focus distance shown on the rangefinder to the lens focus before taking the photo, so the process is longer and more tedious. The viewfinder on the top is for composition purposes only.

 Also, the lens needs to be extended from the camera body and "locked" into position by turning the lens clockwise until you feel the lens cannot be turned anymore. Now you're in the "taking" position of the lens. To retract the lens for transportation or to put it away, turn it counterclockwise, press it back into the body, and put the lens cap on so you don't damage the optics. The lens on the Leica 1 isn't interchangeable due to a pin at the 11:00 position on the camera body, which prevents the lens from being unscrewed from the camera body. The pin also limits the lens's ability to focus only from the minimum focus distance of 1.5 feet to infinity. Unscrewing the pin will remove the lens from the body for servicing or cleaning if needed.

Also on top of the camera is the shutter speed dial with speeds of 1/500, 1/200, 1/100, 1/60, 1/40, 1/30, 1/20, and "Z" for timed exposures. You must lift and turn the dial to change the shutter speed. Still, it's always recommended to do so after you cock the shutter, which is done by winding the film advance lever until it stops. The shutter release is next to the film advance lever and just behind the switch for film advance, which is in the "A" position, flipping it to "R" for film rewind.

Loading the film on a Leica is different than what people are now used to when they load a 35mm camera. The back on early Leica's and rangefinder cameras do not swing open. You must remove the base plate by turning a switch on the bottom to the "open" position, then pull the baseplate off the camera. You can take out the film's take-up spool, which you can grab and pull out. The easiest way to load the camera is to put the film leader into the take-up spool, then pull a bit of the film leader out so you can slide the film cassette and take-up spool into the camera body at once. Push the cassette and take the spool into position, ensuring the film is behind the shutter. Put back on the baseplate and turn the switch to "locked." 

Before I wind to the first frame, I always take up the slack by turning the rewind knob a bit, so when I do wind to the first frame, I watch the rewind knob turn so I know the film is transporting across the shutter. Set the frame counter to 1, which is around the film advance knob and can be moved by two pegs on either side of the knob. Double-check to ensure the film advance switch is in the "A" position and wind to your first frame.

 Now that I have the camera loaded with film, I'm going to take a stroll through the neighborhood and see how it performs.

My Results.

After attaching the rangefinder to the camera, I wanted to get the whole experience of what it was like to photograph with the Leica I, as people did almost 100 years ago. I also have my trusty Sekonic L-308X-U around my neck for accurate metering; I went walking through the neighborhood, focusing on the subject, then transferring from what the rangefinder said the focus. Using the meter to get proper meter readings and setting both the shutter and aperture to the meter settings. I really took my time taking photos with this camera.

 Here are a few of the different images I took with the early Leica I camera.

Conclusion:

I can see why people would have liked and wanted to use this camera almost 100 years ago. It's small, compact, and lightweight. The process of taking photos was slower. Still, it was fun compared to what they needed to do 100 years ago. As a photographer, taking your time, metering your subject, focusing on your subject, and composing the photo was fun. It's much different than what we have now with autofocus, automatic metering, and film advance.

I made a short video on the Leica 1 Camera, which shows the controls and loading the camera with film.

 I want to start using the Leica I regularly. It's quiet to shoot with, the lens is sharp, and it's small and compact. Overall, it's a great and fun camera.

 Thank you for taking a few minutes from your day to read about this old gem of a camera.

  I'll be taking next week off, as I'll be helping at a photo conference all week. I'll see you in a couple of weeks. Until then, please be safe.