P3D Re: Belplasca?

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Does anyone have information on this camera?

Carole, Carole... where have you been? :-)  This camera must be the
second in popularity (after the Realist) in this list.  Even I have
one of those... (and have sold three of them in the past year or two)
Alex Klein has been keeping a list of Belplasca owners and serial 
numbers.  The list is long...  Do a search in photo-3d's archives
and you will find lots of postings...

The camera was made in E. Germany around 1955.  About 8000 cameras
were produced.  It is treasured among stereo photographers for two
reasons:  

a) It is a 7p camera (also known as "European-format") which
means that it makes wider 24x30 mm images instead of 24x23 (Realist).

b) Its Carl Zeiss Tessar lenses, claimed to be very sharp.

Despite its popularity in this list, if you wanted to buy one today
most probably you could not find one for sale.  Prices range from
$500 to $1500.  At these prices, I am tempted to sell mine because
I am very happy with my 7p Realist.

-- George Themelis


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