MIOM Photax III

Specification

Art Deco Credentials

Noteworthy: Worth giving special attention

• Body shape designed in the main Art Deco period.
• Polished Bakelite
• Curvilinear body design
• Concentric raised circle markings on lens plate
• Ribbed and stepped viewfinder moulding

Description

The Photax is a viewfinder camera made almost entirely of Bakelite. It took 6x9cm exposures on roll film. Six different models were introduced between 1937 and 1960. The Photax III body shape is identical to the Photax II model which came out in 1938. So this camera truly has Art Deco credentials. The photax II has only two speeds - T & I. The cameras were also available with a lens cover known as the blindé variant. The cover also protected the shutter release. The shape of this camera was copied by several manufacturers, notably by the Gevaert for its Rex Lujo.

The camera is fairly simple. On the top is the optical viewfinder and the film advance wheel. On the bottom is the tripod mount. On the back is the red exposure counting window. All other functional parts are on the lens barrel's front plate. The camera's most characteristic feature is that the lens is deployed by turning the barrel counter-clockwise by about 300 degrees. The helicoid screw moves the lens outward into the working position. The functional elements on the lens tube's front plate are the meniscus lens, a two position switch to change the aperture and a switch to select one of the shutter speeds. The shutter has a tall release button which travels sufficiently to cock the shutter before exposure.

How to Use

This camera takes 620 film which is still available from selected photographic outlets. Although the actual film is the same as 120 film, the spools are different. The 620 spools are slightly shorter and have a smaller diameter. Do not use 120 film in this camera because it will jam and may snap. It is possible to cut down a spool of 120 film to fit or to re-spool some 120 film onto 620 spools in a darkroom or changing bag. Don't forget to cover the red window with black electrical tape except when advancing the film in low light. Modern film is sensitive to red light.