Xiaojiabiyu among classical cameras - Diax camera

In the colorful world of classical cameras, there are some brands that rarely attract people's attention. These cameras are not very famous and have low output, but they have unique design concepts and exquisite production. Craftsmanship that is still beloved by camera collectors today, Diax cameras being one of them.

In World War II, Germany's entire industrial system was drawn into the war. Established German optical manufacturing companies such as Leica, Zeiss and Voigtlander have all turned to military services. At the end of the war, these companies were severely damaged. For example, the main factory of Zeiss Company was bombed. The United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union scrambled to snatch Zeiss equipment, documents, and technical personnel. Several other companies are also facing serious shortages of factories, equipment, and personnel, and it is difficult to resume production for the time being. Against this backdrop, Mr. Walter Voss, who was about to turn 40, keenly captured this rare opportunity and founded a camera manufacturing company named after himself in October 1946. . Walter Voss relied on his many years of experience in the camera manufacturing industry and soon produced the first Diax camera using 135 format film the following year.

The design of the 1947 Diax prototype was very simple, with a smooth top equipped with large and small winding buttons and rewind buttons on both sides. The viewfinder is small and counts automatically. The camera uses a high-end Compur-Rapid shutter, speed range: B, 1 ~ 1/500 seconds; the three prototype versions are equipped with several different lenses such as Xenar (Figure 1). This camera responded to people's urgent demand for small products that used 135 film. It won praise from people, especially women, for its ultra-small size and simple operation. This type of compact camera product was classified as a Kun camera in later years. After several minor improvements from 1947 to 1950, Diax cameras first emerged in the photographic market.

The Diax I (Figure 2) was launched in 1950. This camera had no major changes except for the enlarged viewfinder and the heightening of the right side of the top of the camera.

When the Diax II was launched in 1951, the camera's viewfinder was enlarged and a linkage rangefinder was added. This camera used the Schneider-Xenar 1:2.8/45mm lens, which was later changed to the faster 1:2.0 format. In order to make the rewind button located at one end of the viewfinder no longer protruding, the rewind button was changed to a flat design. This made it a little inconvenient to rewind the film, but it took care of the balance of the camera's appearance. This design has been used in all subsequent Diax models (Figure 3). When the Diax II was launched, development of the Diax interchangeable lens model had been largely completed, and a year later the new Diax 1a was launched. Therefore, the non-interchangeable lens Diax II model was already lagging behind when it was first launched. Only a few of this model exist and it is one of the rarest models in the entire Diax collection.

There is actually a Diax Standard between Diax I and Ia. The body of this model is the same as the L type, but the lens can be replaced. It should be a trial product with only single-digit production, which is very rare. A standard model was once auctioned for more than 340 Australian dollars on the eBay auction website.

The Diax Ia in 1952 can be said to be a completely new system of Diax cameras. For the first time, it adopts an interchangeable lens design, and the lens is matched with the camera through the M55 external rotation interface.

In order to match the viewfinding of lenses with different focal lengths of 35, 50 and 90, Diax did not follow the practices of other brands at the time that used frame lines inside the viewfinder or an external viewfinder. Instead, Diax ingeniously designed three viewfinders corresponding to different focal lengths. lens (Figure 4). On the back of the Diax Ia, you can see three viewfinders with clear focal length numbers. In order to reduce confusion, the three viewfinder windows use colorless, blue and yellow glass respectively (Figure 5).

In 1954, Diax launched the II series based on the I series. This series is no different from the I series in appearance, but both have added linkage focusing functions. The II series models are among all Diax machines. The most technologically advanced.

In 1956, based on Diax type a, type b was launched with a flat-top body and a winding wrench (Figure 6). In addition to changes in appearance, type a and type b were functionally similar. There is no big difference.

The two series of Diax cameras with interchangeable lenses look beautiful, especially the three side-by-side viewfinders that are very eye-catching. The mechanical transmission parts such as the shutter of the camera are solid and reliable; some of the lenses are supplied by famous manufacturers such as Schneider, with very fine workmanship and excellent optical quality, and are still capable of taking good photos (Figure 7, Figure 8).

New models with interchangeable lenses have greatly expanded the application range of Diax cameras, but their unique viewing systems limit the use of lenses with more focal lengths. In the later stages of the development of the Diax I series, there were already more than a dozen lenses with six different focal lengths of 35, 45, 50, 85, 90 and 135 produced by different manufacturers that could be matched with the camera (Figure 9). This is in line with the presets of the camera body. The design of the viewfinder creates a contradiction.

When Walter Voss was preparing to launch new models of Diax IIa and IIb with linked focusing, it had realized the limitations of the multi-viewfinder window design, so in the IIa and IIb models, it had Reduce the three viewfinder windows on the back to two (Figure 10), leaving only two focal lengths: 50 and 85-90.

Diax Company once developed an independent viewfinder that matched lenses with different focal lengths. Later, in order to avoid the trouble of having to replace the viewfinder every time the lens was changed, it commissioned Steinheil Company to develop a viewfinder that can be used with multiple lenses. An external viewfinder with a focal length lens and can adjust the parallax. This exquisite viewfinder can provide different focal lengths of 35, 85/90 and 135. The task of linked focusing is completed by the 50 focal length window on the body. This is a complete solution. The camera's framing problem. However, Diax IIa and IIb cameras with an external viewfinder will have six small viewfinder windows when viewed from the front (Figure 11). When the photographer is focusing and taking a view, unless he is using a 50mm focal length lens, other lenses must use two view windows. At this time, he must not only ensure the accuracy of the focus, but also ensure the consistency between the lens used and the view window, which will definitely increase the possibility of confusion. , causing confusion when using it.

Some of the interchangeable type a and type b lenses have the model name indicated on the lens body, while others are not marked. Fortunately, the lenses of the two models are interchangeable. The location of the rangefinder rod socket for type A body linkage is at the lower right of the lens interface, while for type B, it is at the lower left. Therefore, the two different types of lenses will have a 90-degree twist after installation, which will only affect the photographer's ability to read the lens. Your habit of carrying data on your body will not affect the function of the lens. Among all the interchangeable standard lenses (45 and 50mm focal length), the Schneider f: 2.0 Xenon lens is the rarest. It is the one with the largest diameter and the best film effect among all Diax series supporting lenses.

The most distinctive dedicated viewfinder window system of Diax cameras has finally come to an end. When the Diax-L-1 appeared in 1957, it was no longer possible to see multiple viewfinders appearing at the same time. The new Diax model Returning to the single viewfinder design (Figure 12) also no longer allows for lens replacement. Diax-L-1 has lost the compact image that Diax has insisted on for ten years. The new body is huge and bloated (Figure 13). Apart from the addition of a built-in Gossen light meter, the entire camera has no notable highlights. . This may also indicate that Walter Voss can no longer compete with the German camera manufacturing giants who have recovered after the war, because not long after the launch of this new model of camera, news of the company's bankruptcy came.

Although Mr. Walter Voss seized the opportunity of the reconstruction of the German camera manufacturing industry after the war, in the next ten years, he took the road of independent research and development completely relying on his own strength. It has never grown rapidly. At its peak, Walter & Voss had only more than 60 employees. By 1957, the company suffered losses and soon went bankrupt. This weak family business was unable to solve many problems such as cost management, marketing, technology research and development, external competition, etc., and became one of the first German camera manufacturing companies to collapse after the war.

The output of Diax cameras reached nearly 100,000 units in ten years. Although production has been discontinued for more than 50 years, there are still a lot of them in existence in the European and Australian markets where sales were smooth at that time. Since the brand is not well-known, it is not difficult to collect Diax cameras. eBay is a good platform for treasure hunting. A good Diax Ia or Ib usually costs less than $100. Among all Diax models, the IIa and IIb models, which are interchangeable lenses and have linked focusing functions, are beautifully made and are the two most worthy of collection and play. Among the interchangeable matching lenses, 2.0-caliber ones are relatively rare.

Among the supporting lenses, all Schneider lenses are made of solid materials and have superior quality. However, you should pay attention to the matching lenses of other brands. Some lenses supporting the I series do not include the linkage focusing function, so you should pay special attention to this. . In addition to those rare varieties, other Diax models were also less expensive, including the transitional model Diaxette camera (Figure 14), which was produced in low production volumes. On the other hand, those Diax original accessories, such as external viewfinders, lens hoods, various filters and lens caps, are even rarer, and you need to have enough patience to collect them (Figure 15). Diax occasionally appear at some famous foreign auctions. If you are lucky, you can even get a relatively rare Diax set (Figure 16).

Today, when film cameras are about to withdraw from the stage of history, facing these exquisite Diax cameras often arouses people's curiosity about their short history. Collecting these cameras or even reusing them to take photos has a sense of nostalgia. Colorful photos bring us more special experiences and nostalgia for the era of pure model cameras.

This article was originally published in the June 2013 issue of "Photography World"

The photos in this article are all from personal collections. No quotation is allowed without permission, and violators will be prosecuted.

1947 Diax prototype, fixed lens, flat top, small viewfinder, Diax trademark on the top of the fuselage, equipped with Axinon f3.5/40mm lens, Compur-Rapid fastest 1/500 second nine speed shutter.

1948 Diax prototype, fixed lens, flat top, small viewfinder, in addition to the Diax trademark and Walter Voss factory logo on the top of the fuselage, equipped with Steinheil Culminar f2.8/42mm lens, Compur-Rapid 1 -1/500 second nine-speed shutter, no flash socket.

The 1949 version of the Diax prototype has a fixed lens, a flat top, and a small viewfinder. The difference from the 1948 version is that a flash socket is added to the front of the fuselage. Equipped with Steinheil Culminar f2.8/42mm or Schneider Xenar f2.8 45mm lens, Compur-Rapid 1-1/500 second nine-speed shutter. The whole machine weighs 423 grams.

1951, Diax I type, fixed lens, raised top right side, enlarged viewfinder, equipped with Schneider Xenar f2.8 45mm or Schneider Xenon f2.0 45mm or Heligon f/2 45mm lens, Compur-Rapid 1-1/500 second nine-speed shutter. The whole machine weighs 469 grams.

1951, Diax II type, fixed lens, heightened body, non-flat top, further enlarged viewfinder, linked rangefinder, self-timer, Schneider Xenar f2.8 45mm, Schneider Xenon f2. 0 45mm or Heligon f/2 45mm lens, Synchro-Compur 1-1/500 sec nine-speed shutter. The whole machine weighs 527 grams.

1952, Diax Ia type, interchangeable lens, non-flat top, focus estimation, three viewfinder windows on the back, flat rewind button. Equipped with Laack Diaxar f3.5 50mm, Schneider Xenar f2.8 50mm, Schneider Xenon f2.0 50mm, Isco Isconar or Westar f3.5 50mm lens, Synchro-Comapur 1-1/500 second shutter. The body together with the Xenar f2.8 50mm lens weighs 626 grams (the weights of the following interchangeable lens models all use the same lens).

In 1953, the Diaxette was basically the same as the I model, with a fixed lens, a lens Selfie, and an enlarged rewind button, which was the same as the winding button.

The lens body is equipped with a black sheath, equipped with a Steinheil Munchen Cassar f2.8 45mm lens and a Pronto 1/25-1/200 second shutter. The whole machine weighs 466 grams.

1954, Diax IIa type, interchangeable lens, non-flat top, linked focus, two viewfinder windows on the back, flat rewind button. Schneider Xenar f2.8 50mm, Schneider Xenon f2.0 50mm lens, Synchro-Comapur 1-1/500 second nine-speed shutter. The whole machine weighs 699 grams.

1956, Diax Ib type, interchangeable lens, film winding button changed to a film winding wrench, flat top, focus estimation, three viewfinder windows on the back. Equipped with Schneider Xenar f2.8 50mm, Schneider Xenon f2.0 50mm, Isco Isconar or Westar f3.5 50mm lens, Synchro-Comapur 1-1/500 sec ten-speed shutter. The whole machine weighs 705 grams.

1956, Diax IIb, with interchangeable lenses, the winding button was changed to a winding wrench, flat top, linked focus, and two viewfinder windows on the back. Schneider Xenar f2.8 50mm, Schneider Xenon f2.0 50mm, Isco Isconar or Westar f3.5 50mm lens, Synchro-Comapur 1-1/500 sec ten-speed shutter. The whole machine weighs 742 grams.

1957, Diax L-1 model, extended and widened body, fixed lens, film winding wrench, Gossen pointer type selenium electric light meter on the top of the body, time-lapse self-timer, shutter button On the right side of the front of the fuselage, it is equipped with a Rodenstock-Diax-Trinar f2.8 45mm lens and a Compur-Rapid 1-1/500 second ten-speed shutter. The whole machine weighs 638 grams.

35mm f3.5 Isco Westron lens weighs 77 grams

35mm f3.5 Schneider Xenagon lens weighs 171 grams

45mm f2.8 Schneider xenar lens weighs 166 Grams

50mm f3.5 Isco Isconar lens weighs 187 grams

85mm f4.5 Isco Isconar lens weighs 179 grams

90mm f3.5 Tele-Xenar lens Weighs 351 grams

The 135mm f4 Tele-Xenar lens weighs 304 grams

Figure 1 Diax prototype (1949 version).

Figure 2 Diax I camera with enlarged viewfinder.

Figure 3 is a Diax II camera based on Diax I that adds linkage ranging.

Figure 4 Diax Ia with interchangeable lenses.

Figure 5 The viewfinder is distinguished by colorless, blue and yellow glass.