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Kamerastore Digital Database

Walz Automat M - Camera

Walz Automat M - Camera

127 format manual focus TLR released by Walz in 1959. Advanced Japanese TLR made after the Rolleiflex 4x4 started the demand for compact smaller format TLRs. Uses the no longer available 127 format film. M model included integrated selenium lightmeter under the nameplate that the non-M version didn't have. The meter needle is located on top of a knob on the left hand side of the camera, along with adjustments for film speed as well as a scale for settings to use. Right hand side of the body has the crank advance, rear door has a window for film markings. Easily distinguishable from the non-M variant by the nameplate "M" and color, as the non-M only came in varying grey-blue finishes. The M also had a brown leather case available for it instead of the bluish grey one of the standard model. Metal body in black finish and leatherette.

  • Lens: Zunow 6cm f2.8 (4 elements, 3 groups)
  • Minimum focus distance: 0.7m
  • Aperture blades: 5
  • Shutter: Central leaf Copal SV, 1s - 1/500s + B
  • ISO range: 10 - 800
  • Size: 125 x 90 x 85mm
  • Weight: 841g
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TLR

Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) cameras are defined by having two lenses. One lens is used for taking images and the other is for viewing, focusing, and framing your photos. The lenses are synchronized and the same focal length to allow for proper framing and focusing.

Normally, the viewing lens redirects light upwards towards a waist level viewfinder and the lower lens exposes the film using a built-in leaf shutter. Because of the way this system works the image in the viewfinder is flipped horizontally, which can take some time to get used to. There are also slight differences in framing between the two lenses that can affect images at close focusing distances.

Most TLRs take 6x6cm images on 120 medium format roll film, although some could also use now-discontinued 220 film. Many companies made TLRs, including Yashica, Minolta, and Zeiss Ikon. The most famous TLR brand, though, is Rollei.

The Rolleicord and Rolleiflex cameras are the definitive TLR designs, with all others taking major inspiration from them. These cameras pair world-class build quality with legendary Carl Zeiss & Schneider-Kreuznach lenses to make an excellent, if expensive, camera.

TLRs are iconic ”old school” cameras, used as the primary camera of journalists and documentary photographers for decades before 35mm SLRs took over. Most people will recognize a TLR as an ”old camera” and many will be intrigued by its strange (by today’s standards) two-lens design.

DHW Fototechnik is still making Rolleiflex TLRs today in Germany.

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Walz Automat M - Camera Availability & Price History
Date Sold SKU Quality Control Price Image
28 Mar 2024 T19916 € 1.019,15 Walz Automat M - Camera Image