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Created 11 April 2009 ... Updated 11 April 2009



Paxette

Paxette Braun Nürnberg produced the Paxette series from the early 1950s up till the early 1960s. The series comprised of small and compact yet high quality view finder camera. Depending on the model the camera was equipped with a fixed lens or screw mount or with a basic viewfinder or uncoupled range finder or it came with an exposure meter built in.

Although inexpensive the high quality standards made for the nick-name "Elementary school teacher Leica" (die Volksschullehrer-Leica). The price was only a third of a real Leica or Contax camera with comparable options and half of the price of the top class Voigtländer Prominent with Ultron 50/2.0 lens.

The first Paxette was introduced in 1950s and had a flat top. This top was raised a few millimeters in 1953. Several models exist and Braun made a sport of reusing existing parts. So it's not always easy to figure out the correct kind of camera you have in your hands. The top cover mostly always looks the same even though some had an optical exposure meter built in whereas others had a range finder in the top cover. Unfortunately I sold my camera before I knew the exact type and there is no way to now figure out which specific model I once owned. A bit of a shame that is...

The film chamber opens by turning the knob on the bottom of the camera anti-clockwise. The back and bottom then comes off and the film may be put in easily. Be carefull to place the film _under_ the latch at the back. Failing to do so will result in an unexposed film. The latch makes for excellent film flatness.

My camera appeared to be in full working order. However, due to lack of time I have not put a film through to fully test this camera. The camera is a little dusty but nothing careful cleaning cannot solve :o)

Specifications
Manufacturor  :  Braun Nürnberg
Model  :  Paxette
Type  :  35mm view finder or uncoupled rangefinder camera
Produced  :  1950s
K.D. Müller Reference  :  K
Film  :  35mm (Type 135)
Picture size  :  24 x 36 mm
Made in  :  Germany
Material  :  metal and it's pretty solid
Lens  :  Steinheil München, Cassarit, 1:2.8 45mm
Lens system  :  M39 screw mount but incompatible with the Leica M39 lenses
Focusing  :  Uncoupled Rangefinder as an option
Manual through the focus ring.
Focus range  :  1 meter - infinity
Viewfinder  :  Small view finder
Shutter  :  Prontor SVS
1, 2, 5, 10,25, 50, 100, 300 and Bulb
Aperture  :  2.8 - 16 set by turning the front ring of the lens
Self timer  :  none
Exposure  :  fully manual
Film speed settings  :  none
Exposure meter  :  Some models had an optical exposure meter in a second top window
Power  :  none
Flash  :  Cold shoe on top of the camera
V, X, M.
Flash Contact  :  PC sync socket on the left hand side on the lens barrel
Film Advance  :  Double stroke film wind and to cock shutter
Shutter release  :  A cable release may be screwed into the standard release cord socket.
Dimensions  :  115 x 72 x 48 mm (W x H x D) without lens
Body serial number  : 
Collection status  :  sold
Paxette

links Paxette weblinks
links Paxette timeline
links A full time line with all known Paxette models listed.

links Paxette instructions manuals
links Two instruction manuals for PAxette cameras can be found at Urmonas.

links Super Paxette instructions manual
links Read the manual at Michael Butkus' Website.


All photos copyright of M. Koning 1997 - 2009

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