Durst Automatica Review
I added the Durst Automatica to my collection because it irresistibly combines beauty with craftsmanship and an eye for finesse and detail. It is a magnificent example of a camera from a time before mass production, when plastics and electronic circuits had begun to dominate manufacturing processes, but craftsmanship was still an essential part of production.
I found a lot of interesting material about the Durst Automatica on Mike Eckman's and Knippsen's websites. I drew on this material for this review.
The Durst Automatica came according to Knippsen's blog probably onto the market in 1960 and was produced until 1963. It was a viewfinder camera and the first 35mm camera with an automatic aperture priority exposure mode, albeit a very basic one. In addition, the most interesting feature was the pneumatic controlled shutter. It made a soft sound when pressed and gave the operation of the shutter release a unique soft sensation. It featured a Schneider Radionar 45 mm f/2.8 lens. The camera could also be operated fully manually. The camera exuded quality, with great attention paid to detail. It was ahead of its time blending mechanical precision, early automation, minimalist design, and a functional and beautiful control lay out.
My copy has serial number 66539 (in the camera body). The Schneider Kreuznach Radionar lens was probably manufactured in 1960. The filtersize is 32mm.
The light cell no longer works on my camera, which means that the pneumatic system no longer functions. I will therefore not include an assessment of the automatic mode in my review.
Specifications
Film Type: 135 (35mm)
Lens: 45mm f/2.8 Schneider-Kreuznach Durst Radionar coated 3-elements in 3-groups. Five rounded aperture blades
Focus: 1m to Infinity The subject distance is estimated in order to focus using zone focusing. There is no depth of field scale. The distance scale clicks at 3 metres. This roughly corresponds to the half of the hyperfocal distance at f/11.
Viewfinder: Reasonably bright and very spacious. I estimate the magnification to be 0.9. With my glasses on, I cannot see the entire viewfinder image at a glance. No further information. Onely projected frame lines are visible
Shutter: Prontor-SVS Leaf. Speeds: B, 1 – 1/300 seconds
Exposure Meter: Coupled Selenium Cell w/ top plate exposure display and very basic Aperture Priority Automatic Exposure
Battery: None
Flash Mount: Cold shoe and M and X Flash Sync
Other Features: Self-Timer
Weight: 676 grams
What I like about the Durst Automatica:
- Its historical significance: it was one of the first cameras with automatic exposure. When you hold this camera in your hands, you hold a piece of photographic history.
- Its minimalist functional design exudes quality, with attention paid to every detail of its finish, materials and construction. You can see, feel and even hear the quality. The design was ahead of its time.
- The viewfinder is reasonably bright and very spacious, with a magnification of approximately 0.90. However, as a glasses wearer, I find it just a little too spacious, meaning I cannot see the entire viewfinder image at a glance.
- The top plate has been designed really well. The film transport lever is recessed. It only rises with a reassuring clicking noise when you move it with your thumb. Along the way, you can distinguish another click when the frame counter jumps.
The tip of the film transport knob is serrated for a better grip. In my opinion, the film knob offers the ultimate in control, but its sharp edges are not always pleasant to use. A later model had finer grooves at the end, but these did not improve the user experience significantly.
- The beautifully designed film rewind button is recessed into the top plate. This is both nice and practical, as it rotates when you transport the film. As a result, it does not get in the way. At the same time, you can see that the film is being transported. However, when rewinding the film, you will notice that the button has quite sharp grooves. The film rewind release button must be pressed continuously when rewinding the film. When you press the rewind release button the rewind knob pops up, a nice feature.
- Inserting the film requires attention and time. This will take some getting used to, especially for inexperienced photographers.
- Fortunately, the camera can also be used in manual mode. As the selenium cell on my camera no longer works, I have to set the aperture and shutter speed manually.
- The shutter release button is ergonomically positioned at the front of the camera, but it requires some force to press. I am usually not in favour of this placement, but the force exerted by your finger is parallel to the optical axis, which significantly reduces the risk of camera shake. This makes handheld shooting at 1/30 sec possible. The shutter release button has a relatively large diameter. This distributes the pressure from your finger more evenly. In addition, the button has a short stroke.
- After removing the film, the counter on my camera does not automatically reset to zero. When I use a 24-exposure film,I have to transport the film 12 more times to get to zero.
- The numbers on the film counter are very small and difficult to read.
- The focus ring and the combined aperture/ASA ring around the Schneider Radionar lens are easy to adjust, but they have sharp grooves like the rewind button, which detracts from the user experience.
There are no strap eyes. The camera must be carried in the supplied leather half-cover. The cover's flap is made of plastic. This is a shame as it detracts from the design of the camera.
My thoughts:
It's a shame that I can't take the camera with me on outdoor activities or bike rides due to its size and weight. The fully manual settings are also time-consuming, and I usually don't feel comfortable using them when I'm with other people. The Durst Automatica is not a camera for on-the-go use. It's for special moments when I have time to myself and can enjoy a historic camera that looks great but is still very usable after more than 60 years.
Durst Automatica Review
I added the Durst Automatica to my collection because it irresistibly combines beauty with craftsmanship and an eye for finesse and detail. It is a magnificent example of a camera from a time before mass production, when plastics and electronic circuits had begun to dominate manufacturing processes, but craftsmanship was still an essential part of production.
I found a lot of interesting material about the Durst Automatica on Mike Eckman's and Knippsen's websites. I drew on this material for this review.
The Durst Automatica came according to Knippsen's blog probably onto the market in 1960 and was produced until 1963. It was a viewfinder camera and the first 35mm camera with an automatic aperture priority exposure mode, albeit a very basic one. In addition, the most interesting feature was the pneumatic controlled shutter. It made a soft sound when pressed and gave the operation of the shutter release a unique soft sensation. It featured a Schneider Radionar 45 mm f/2.8 lens. The camera could also be operated fully manually. The camera exuded quality, with great attention paid to detail. It was ahead of its time blending mechanical precision, early automation, minimalist design, and a functional and beautiful control lay out.
My copy has serial number 66539 (in the camera body). The Schneider Kreuznach Radionar lens was probably manufactured in 1960. The filtersize is 32mm.
The light cell no longer works on my camera, which means that the pneumatic system no longer functions. I will therefore not include an assessment of the automatic mode in my review.
Specifications
Film Type: 135 (35mm)
Lens: 45mm f/2.8 Schneider-Kreuznach Durst Radionar coated 3-elements in 3-groups. Five rounded aperture blades
Focus: 1m to Infinity The subject distance is estimated in order to focus using zone focusing. There is no depth of field scale. The distance scale clicks at 3 metres. This roughly corresponds to the half of the hyperfocal distance at f/11.
Viewfinder: Reasonably bright and very spacious. I estimate the magnification to be 0.9. With my glasses on, I cannot see the entire viewfinder image at a glance. No further information. Onely projected frame lines are visible
Shutter: Prontor-SVS Leaf. Speeds: B, 1 – 1/300 seconds
Exposure Meter: Coupled Selenium Cell w/ top plate exposure display and very basic Aperture Priority Automatic Exposure
Battery: None
Flash Mount: Cold shoe and M and X Flash Sync
Other Features: Self-Timer
Weight: 676 grams
What I like about the Durst Automatica:
- Its historical significance: it was one of the first cameras with automatic exposure. When you hold this camera in your hands, you hold a piece of photographic history.
- Its minimalist functional design exudes quality, with attention paid to every detail of its finish, materials and construction. You can see, feel and even hear the quality. The design was ahead of its time.
- The viewfinder is reasonably bright and very spacious, with a magnification of approximately 0.90. However, as a glasses wearer, I find it just a little too spacious, meaning I cannot see the entire viewfinder image at a glance.
- The top plate has been designed really well. The film transport lever is recessed. It only rises with a reassuring clicking noise when you move it with your thumb. Along the way, you can distinguish another click when the frame counter jumps.
The tip of the film transport knob is serrated for a better grip. In my opinion, the film knob offers the ultimate in control, but its sharp edges are not always pleasant to use. A later model had finer grooves at the end, but these did not improve the user experience significantly.
- The beautifully designed film rewind button is recessed into the top plate. This is both nice and practical, as it rotates when you transport the film. As a result, it does not get in the way. At the same time, you can see that the film is being transported. However, when rewinding the film, you will notice that the button has quite sharp grooves. The film rewind release button must be pressed continuously when rewinding the film. When you press the rewind release button the rewind knob pops up, a nice feature.
- Inserting the film requires attention and time. This will take some getting used to, especially for inexperienced photographers.
- Fortunately, the camera can also be used in manual mode. As the selenium cell on my camera no longer works, I have to set the aperture and shutter speed manually.
- The shutter release button is ergonomically positioned at the front of the camera, but it requires some force to press. I am usually not in favour of this placement, but the force exerted by your finger is parallel to the optical axis, which significantly reduces the risk of camera shake. This makes handheld shooting at 1/30 sec possible. The shutter release button has a relatively large diameter. This distributes the pressure from your finger more evenly. In addition, the button has a short stroke.
- After removing the film, the counter on my camera does not automatically reset to zero. When I use a 24-exposure film,I have to transport the film 12 more times to get to zero.
- The numbers on the film counter are very small and difficult to read.
- The focus ring and the combined aperture/ASA ring around the Schneider Radionar lens are easy to adjust, but they have sharp grooves like the rewind button, which detracts from the user experience.
There are no strap eyes. The camera must be carried in the supplied leather half-cover. The cover's flap is made of plastic. This is a shame as it detracts from the design of the camera.
My thoughts:
It's a shame that I can't take the camera with me on outdoor activities or bike rides due to its size and weight. The fully manual settings are also time-consuming, and I usually don't feel comfortable using them when I'm with other people. The Durst Automatica is not a camera for on-the-go use. It's for special moments when I have time to myself and can enjoy a historic camera that looks great but is still very usable after more than 60 years.