Carl Zeiss Jena Minimum Palmos

Photos by JPP text by JPP. From the collection of JPP. Last update 2019-11-17 par Michel Rochevalier.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1902 to (Circa) 1903.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 9567

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Carl Zeiss Jena

The Minimum Palmos camera appeared in the first catalogue of Carl Zeiss Jena in 1902, for formats of 6 x 9, 9 x 12, 9 x 18 and 13 x 18 cm. The cameras are made of wood and have round articulated central struts. In the 1904 catalogue both the wooden and new metal versions appear.
This camera, for a plate format of 9 x 12, is from the initial 1902 wooden type. On the inside of the bellows there are four ribbons that limit the extension of the struts (of variable length) and give tension to keep the camera rigid.
The focal plane shutter delivers speeds up to 1/1000 second by a combination of slit width and roll tension. The lens is a Carl Zeiss Jena Unar with 136 mm of focal length and maximum aperture of 4.5. The lensboard has horizontal and vertical movements.