Sida Turf

Specification

Art Deco Credentials

Significant: Pronounced and self evident

I consider this camera to warrant 4 stars for the following attributes:

• produced during the main Art Deco period;
• black Bakelite body;
• repeated triple rib design on body;
• geometric pattern on faceplate;
• rounded streamlined corners;
• chrome struts;
• chrome viewfinder;
• decorative bright metal table stand.

Description

The Turf is a Bakelite-bodied, self erecting folding camera for 4.5x6cm exposures on special roll-film. It was made by Sida GmbH of Berlin in about 1938. The name 'Turf' can be seen on the faceplate. It is moulded with slim ribs along the body to give an elegant 'streamline moderne' style.

It has an f/4.5 Turf Extra Anastigmat lens with a focal length of 70mm. The lens has an iris diaphragm stopping down to f/32 and front-element focusing down to 1.5 metres. The camera also has an everset variable-speed shutter with speeds 1/25-1/100 second, plus 'B' and 'T'. A cable release socket is provided. The camera has threads cut into the Bakelite for tripod sockets for both vertical and horizontal orientation. It has a Bakelite winding knob and a single red window with a metal cover. The folding table-stand on the front acts as the catch to unfold the camera. Framing is achieved by a pop-up frame viewfinder.

How to Use

Using this camera throws up some challenges:

• The size of the spools are similar to 620 spools but they have a tab that locates into the winding knob. It is possible to use 620 film in the feed side as long as you have the special spool on the winding side. Glueing a tab onto an old 620 spool will suffice.
• You will need to source some 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 spools in this camera because they may jam. It is possible to modify the spool of 120 film to fit, or to re-spool some 120 film onto 620 spools in a darkroom or changing bag.
• The red window lines up with the 12 frame annotation on the 620 film. With the 4.5cm x 6cm frame size, you would normally expect 16 frames. There will be larger than normal gaps between frames. Not really a problem, just a waste of film.

It must be said that there are various versions of this camera, some with two red windows and some that will take 120 film.

Exposure

Shutter speeds are 1/25s, 1/50s and 1/100s although the accuracy is not guaranteed.

If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide shown. It is based on the 'Sunny 16' rule. Film is so forgiving and will produce acceptable results even when overexposed by 2 or 3 stops or underexposed by 1 stop.