Perfex Fifty Five Rangefinder Camera w/Wollensak Perfex Velostigmat 50mm F 2.8

This listing was posted on Americanlisted.

Perfex Fifty Five Rangefinder Camera w/Wollensak Perfex Velostigmat 50mm F 2.8

Location:

Chicago, IL

Description:

This listing features a vintage Perfex Fifty Five Rangefinder Camera with Wollensak Perfex Velostigmat 50mm F 2.8 Lens.The camera body has lifted leatherette, is missing the leatherette back, and has minor oxidation on the metalThe shutter does not work (can be repaired?)The curtain is in tactThe Wollensak Perfex Velostigmat 50mm F 2.8 Lens is bent at the outside edgeThis camera has not been film testedSold as PARTS/NOT WORKING/DECORATIONS no returns. This item is being sold for parts, and as such, it may not be in fully functional condition.Please look closely at all the photos. They tell the story. No returns.Have a look at my other vintage camera auctions and listings.We provide two shipping options: USPS Ground Advantage and Priority MailI will combine shipping. If you win or buy more than one item, please wait for an invoice from me before you pay for your items.Additional Information/History:In the late 1930s, there were numerous attempts by American manufacturers to produce a rangefinder camera to compete with German imports the likes of Leica or Contax but at a much-reduced cost. The Argus C3 is perhaps the best well-known outgrowth of this trend, and the only model which was truly able to weather the post-war influx of cheaper imports. Other manufacturers whose were not able to sustain production in the post-war era either due to competition or poor management, included Clarus with their MS-35, Universal with their Mercury II and Perfex. Larger corporations like Kodak and Bell and Howell were able to survive, but their high-end American 35mm rangefinders were not sustainable in the post-war market.During this short period immediately before and after the Second World War, American 35mm rangefinder production was at its most diverse. The Candid Camera Corporation based out of Chicago introduced their first 35mm rangefinder in 1938 in the form of the Perfex Speed Candid which was a very blocky and ungainly camera. The revised model 44 that superseded it in 1939 was both cosmetically and mechanically redesigned. The model 55 of 1940 was largely similar to the 44, but had an updated slow speed mechanism that is reported to be more reliable than its predecessor is.On paper, the Perfex 55 has a list of features that is competitive with if not better than a Leica IIIc:-Cloth Focal Plane Shutter B, 1 - 1/1250-Internal M-Sync Flash with Hot Shoe-Removable Back for Film Loading-Film Advance Mechanism allows Cassette-to-Cassette Film Advance-Wide Base (90mm) Split Image Rangefinder-Interchangeable 38mm Screw Mount Lenses-Integral Extinction Type Light MeterTwo shipping options available: USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail.Check out my other vintage camera auctions and listings.

Category:

Cameras

Posted:

February 23 on Americanlisted