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Robot II |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1939 to (Before) 1945.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 11666
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Robot
The Robot cameras were invented by the watchmaker Heinz Killfit (1898-1980), who later designed the Killfit macro lenses and the Mecaflex camera. Killfit tried to convince Kodak and Agfa to make the camera, but it was only Otto Berning & Co. (Schwelm, Germany) that believed in Killfit’s innovative design and started distributing the camera in 1935. The design was a competitor of Leitz, Zeiss Ikon and other makers that were innovating with small format cameras for cine film (35mm), mostly for format 24x36mm. The Robot used a frame size of 24x24mm allowing over 50 exposures per standard roll.
The Robot designation had been invented not long before by the Czech writer Karel Capek, and the Robot cameras were amongst the first devices to bear the designation. But automation was a limited concept at the time. Nevertheless, a number of interesting innovations were present, mostly a spring mechanism that advanced film and cocked the behind-the-lens rotary shutter, providing the driving force for up to 24 shots in a row. With practice, the photographer could make 4 photographs per second.
1934 and 1936 patents showing the evolution towards the final form of the Robot:
N° GB411347
N° GB454454
This is a chromed variation that has a Schneider Xenar 2.8 / 75mm lens.
The rugged outline is easily recognisable thanks to the large motor winding knob.
Interesting links or bibliography :
 |  Popular Photography de 1939 |  Photo Revue de 1950 |
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