Help me identify these Pentax models!

TommySan · 09-23-2018, 07:02 AM

Hi, my first post in this forum, so thank you in advance for your attention.

My grandfather used several photo cameras, mostly Pentax, through his life, and I am trying to know which were some of them. I only have a few pictures of him with these cameras, and the year must be around the 50's and the 60's, but I can't be more precise. Maybe some of you experts can help me find out which cameras these are?

Thank you!

Attached Images

**Pål Jensen** · 09-23-2018, 07:13 AM - **1 Like**

I dont think they are Pentaxes....

TommySan · 09-23-2018, 07:41 AM

The first one says PENTAX, doesn't it?

He had a MX, but then he had other pentaxes. The old one might not be Pentax, but the one from the first picture that says "PENTAX" on top, should be a Pentax, right? It is not so easy to read, that's true, but the A and X and pretty much exact.

**BigMackCam** · 09-23-2018, 07:52 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by TommySan

The first one says PENTAX, doesn't it?

He had a MX, but then he had other pentaxes. The old one might not be Pentax, but the one from the first picture that says "PENTAX" on top, should be a Pentax, right? It is not so easy to read, that's true, but the A and X and pretty much exact.

~~I'm not entirely sure, but I think that first one might be an Edixa...~~

I'm ~~pretty sure~~ certain the first one is a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex. The Zeiss Ikon symbol is on the top of the prism housing, with Contaflex above the lens.

Attached Images

Last edited by BigMackCam; 09-23-2018 at 08:01 AM.

**microlight** · 09-23-2018, 08:08 AM - **1 Like**

Yes, you can just make out 'Contaflex' in the first picture.

**BigMackCam** · 09-23-2018, 08:18 AM - **2 Likes**

And I believe the camera in the third photo is a Bolsey B2 rangefinder, or otherwise, another Bolsey model.

TommySan · 09-23-2018, 08:29 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

~~I'm not entirely sure, but I think that first one might be an Edixa...~~

I'm ~~pretty sure~~ certain the first one is a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex. The Zeiss Ikon symbol is on the top of the prism housing, with Contaflex above the lens.

You are sooo right Mike. Thanks a bunch, it is defenitely a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex. Never heard of this one before, that was very helpful.

TommySan · 09-23-2018, 08:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

And I believe the camera in the third photo is a Bolsey B2 rangefinder, or otherwise, another Bolsey model.

Thanks again, this seems to be the right track to find the exact model and lens he was using back then. The top logo is from the Bolsey and is the perfect hint to find which it was exactly.

Thank you again, amped at your knowledge man!

**TomB_tx** · 09-23-2018, 09:40 AM - **1 Like**

The second photo of the closed case is probably a screw mount Leica with collapsible lens, given the very short lens nose on the case. The shape is certainly right for a Leica from the 1920s into the 1950s, when Leica was among the most popular good camera. The rounded case ends show it isn’t a Canon RF, and while there were other copies of the Leica in the 50s, his Contaflex would be consistent with a German camera.

Fogel70 · 09-23-2018, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by TomB_tx

The second photo of the closed case is probably a screw mount Leica with collapsible lens, given the very short lens nose on the case. The shape is certainly right for a Leica from the 1920s into the 1950s, when Leica was among the most popular good camera. The rounded case ends show it isn’t a Canon RF, and while there were other copies of the Leica in the 50s, his Contaflex would be consistent with a German camera.

I believe the case is for the Bolsey camera in the third picture.

**BigMackCam** · 09-23-2018, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by Fogel70

I believe the case is for the Bolsey camera in the third picture.

I think you're right. If you look at the lens bump, it's flattened at the top. This is quite a distinctive feature of Bolsey cases

TommySan · 09-23-2018, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by TomB_tx

The second photo of the closed case is probably a screw mount Leica with collapsible lens, given the very short lens nose on the case. The shape is certainly right for a Leica from the 1920s into the 1950s, when Leica was among the most popular good camera. The rounded case ends show it isn’t a Canon RF, and while there were other copies of the Leica in the 50s, his Contaflex would be consistent with a German camera.

It's defenitely the case for the Bolsey, which also has a very short lens. but thanks!

**TomB_tx** · 09-23-2018, 10:43 AM - **1 Like**

You are right - that and the case rides farther out from the man’s body. A Leica would be quite flat, while the Bolsey had a trapezoid shape with a deep back.

troika · 09-23-2018, 11:21 AM - **1 Like**

Your grandpa was super cool!

TommySan · 09-23-2018, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by troika

Your grandpa was super cool!

Thanks. He totally was, for sure. The coolest photography stuff I have seen comes from his father though, from the late 1800’s!

09-23-2018, 07:02 AM	#1
TommySan New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 7	Help me identify these Pentax models! Hi, my first post in this forum, so thank you in advance for your attention. My grandfather used several photo cameras, mostly Pentax, through his life, and I am trying to know which were some of them. I only have a few pictures of him with these cameras, and the year must be around the 50's and the 60's, but I can't be more precise. Maybe some of you experts can help me find out which cameras these are? Thank you! Attached Images

09-23-2018, 08:18 AM - 2 Likes	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	And I believe the camera in the third photo is a Bolsey B2 rangefinder, or otherwise, another Bolsey model. Attached Images

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09-23-2018, 07:13 AM - 1 Like	#2
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	I dont think they are Pentaxes....

09-23-2018, 07:41 AM	#3
TommySan New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 7 Original Poster	The first one says PENTAX, doesn't it? He had a MX, but then he had other pentaxes. The old one might not be Pentax, but the one from the first picture that says "PENTAX" on top, should be a Pentax, right? It is not so easy to read, that's true, but the A and X and pretty much exact.

09-23-2018, 07:52 AM - 2 Likes	#4
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	Originally posted by TommySan The first one says PENTAX, doesn't it? He had a MX, but then he had other pentaxes. The old one might not be Pentax, but the one from the first picture that says "PENTAX" on top, should be a Pentax, right? It is not so easy to read, that's true, but the A and X and pretty much exact. ~~I'm not entirely sure, but I think that first one might be an Edixa...~~ I'm ~~pretty sure~~ certain the first one is a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex. The Zeiss Ikon symbol is on the top of the prism housing, with Contaflex above the lens. Attached Images Last edited by BigMackCam; 09-23-2018 at 08:01 AM.

09-23-2018, 08:08 AM - 1 Like	#5
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Yes, you can just make out 'Contaflex' in the first picture.

09-23-2018, 08:29 AM - 1 Like	#7
TommySan New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam ~~I'm not entirely sure, but I think that first one might be an Edixa...~~ I'm ~~pretty sure~~ certain the first one is a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex. The Zeiss Ikon symbol is on the top of the prism housing, with Contaflex above the lens. You are sooo right Mike. Thanks a bunch, it is defenitely a Zeiss Ikon Contaflex. Never heard of this one before, that was very helpful.

09-23-2018, 08:31 AM - 1 Like	#8
TommySan New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam And I believe the camera in the third photo is a Bolsey B2 rangefinder, or otherwise, another Bolsey model. Thanks again, this seems to be the right track to find the exact model and lens he was using back then. The top logo is from the Bolsey and is the perfect hint to find which it was exactly. Thank you again, amped at your knowledge man!

09-23-2018, 09:40 AM - 1 Like	#9
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	The second photo of the closed case is probably a screw mount Leica with collapsible lens, given the very short lens nose on the case. The shape is certainly right for a Leica from the 1920s into the 1950s, when Leica was among the most popular good camera. The rounded case ends show it isn’t a Canon RF, and while there were other copies of the Leica in the 50s, his Contaflex would be consistent with a German camera.

09-23-2018, 09:56 AM	#10
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Originally posted by TomB_tx The second photo of the closed case is probably a screw mount Leica with collapsible lens, given the very short lens nose on the case. The shape is certainly right for a Leica from the 1920s into the 1950s, when Leica was among the most popular good camera. The rounded case ends show it isn’t a Canon RF, and while there were other copies of the Leica in the 50s, his Contaflex would be consistent with a German camera. I believe the case is for the Bolsey camera in the third picture.

09-23-2018, 10:33 AM	#11
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	Originally posted by Fogel70 I believe the case is for the Bolsey camera in the third picture. I think you're right. If you look at the lens bump, it's flattened at the top. This is quite a distinctive feature of Bolsey cases

09-23-2018, 10:41 AM	#12
TommySan New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by TomB_tx The second photo of the closed case is probably a screw mount Leica with collapsible lens, given the very short lens nose on the case. The shape is certainly right for a Leica from the 1920s into the 1950s, when Leica was among the most popular good camera. The rounded case ends show it isn’t a Canon RF, and while there were other copies of the Leica in the 50s, his Contaflex would be consistent with a German camera. It's defenitely the case for the Bolsey, which also has a very short lens. but thanks!

09-23-2018, 10:43 AM - 1 Like	#13
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	You are right - that and the case rides farther out from the man’s body. A Leica would be quite flat, while the Bolsey had a trapezoid shape with a deep back.

09-23-2018, 11:21 AM - 1 Like	#14
troika Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 1,753	Your grandpa was super cool!

09-23-2018, 04:09 PM	#15
TommySan New Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by troika Your grandpa was super cool! Thanks. He totally was, for sure. The coolest photography stuff I have seen comes from his father though, from the late 1800’s!

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