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Carl Zeiss Jena Werra 1 |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in Germany (Former GDR) from 1955 to (After) 1955.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 10564
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Carl Zeiss Jena
The Werra cameras are surprising cameras in more ways than one. Coming from East Germany (DDR), they boast a modern design, which is unorthodox compared to the usual productions of the country. These were often the result of a pursuit of productivity in line with the expectations of a utopian plan rather than real technical efficiency.
The design is very streamlined, with almost perfect symmetry between the top and the base. The controls are seamlessly integrated, with film advancement and shutter cocking achieved by rotating a ring at the base of the lens. The shutter release button barely protrudes on the top cover. The top of the early models is flat, then becomes rounded from around 1961/62.
When not in use, the lens is protected by a cone-shaped cover. This transforms into a sunshade when the cap at its end is unscrewed.
On the same base, multiple versions were produced: with or without rangefinder, with or without light meter, black or khaki, flat or rounded top cover, flash shoe, different coverings.
Except for the early examples, the lens is typically a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.8/50 mm, renowned for its quality. On later models, the lens will be referred to as Jena T, following a complaint from Zeiss (West Germany). The shutter is usually a Prestor RVS, with the maximum speed evolving with successive models.
Some models include:
| Years (c.) | |||
| Werra |  |
1954 | Flat top, leatherette olive green |
| Werra 1 |  |
c.1955 | Flat top, leatherette olive green internal updates |
| Werra 1a |  |
1958 | Flat top |
| Werra 1b | 1959 | ||
| Werra 1c |  |
1961 | Flat top |
| Werra 1e |  |
1964 | rounded flat, shoe |
| uncoupled lightmeter | |||
| Werra 2 |  |
1957 | Flat top |
| coupled rangefinder, interchangeable lens | |||
| Werra 3 |  |
1958 | Flat top |
| Werra 3e |  |
rounded flat, shoe |
|
| uncoupled lightmeter and coupled rangefinder, interchangeable lens | |||
| Werra 4 | 1958 | ||
| coupled lightmeter and coupled rangefinder, interchangeable lens | |||
| Werra 5 | 1960 | ||
| coupled lightmeter | |||
| Werramat |  |
1961 | rounded flat, Fixed lens |
| Werramat |  |
rounded flat, Fixed lens | |
| Werramat e |  |
c. 1965 | rounded flat, Fixed lens, hoe |
| Werramat e |  |
rounded flat, Fixed lens, hoe | |
| coupled lightmeter and coupled rangefinder, interchangeable lens | |||
| Werramatic | |||
| Werramatic e | |||
The Prestor shutter is quite unique. To allow for exposure times shorter than 1/500, East German engineers devised an original system.
In a typical central shutter, the shutter blades, shaped like shark fins, slow down as they approach full aperture, then come to a stop before reversing direction to close off the light passage. This compromises the shutter's performance for short exposures.
In the Werra, the crescent-shaped blades do not slow down as they reach full aperture but continue moving in the same direction; it's the second part of the crescent that blocks the light. The downside of this system is that during recocking, the blades follow the reverse path, reopening the shutter. Hence, the presence of a second shutter closed during recocking is necessary.
__________
Compared to the first Werra, the Werra 1 underwent several primarily internal modifications, so they are less visible. The ring at the base of the lens is now covered, matching the camera body.
The shutter is sometimes a Synchro-Compur. Some examples have bright lines in the viewfinder.
Interesting links or bibliography :
 de 1959 |  Photo Ciné Revue de 1960 |  Photo Ciné Revue de 1961 |  Photo Ciné Revue de 1963 |
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