Friday, August 6, 2010

Gallus Derby-Lux

Gallus Derby-Lux

Gallus Derby-Lux
France ~1941
Boyer Saphir lens  f=50, 1:3,5
Focal Plane shutter, self-capping cloth curtains, shutter seeds range 1/25-1/500, B.
The shutter is cocked by turning the shutter speed selector.
16, 4x3cm exposures on 127 film, the film advance is controlled, by two little windows on the back, with a sliding device to cover them with a red or green gel, for orthochromatic  or panchromatic film.
The focusing is achieved by means of an helical that displaces the front element of the lens.
The body is made of an aluminium alloy, without any covering. The bellows is made of leather.

This camera is so beautiful that two of the pictures that I uploaded to Flickr made Explore:

Gallus Derby-Lux Restoration (33)  Gallus Derby-Lux

This was made in the occupied France, during WWII, it's a copy of the German Foth Derby.

I found this camera in a flea-market. I had already some nice finds in my bag when I saw this one. It was a mess, dirty, with obvious signs of attempts to repair...
I wasn't familiar with the brand. The seller asked me 25€ and I passed.

When I got home, started digging information about it.
What I found gave me the urge of rip my hair, if I had any to rip.

You can imagine, next week I was there at eight o'clock, in the morning. I went to the seller, my heart almost stopped, when I saw it standing there. Casually I asked the seller, how much he wanted for it. This time he didn't ask for 25€, but only 15. I tried to take it for 10 but he didn't gave. So 15 it was.
But look what I took home:

Gallus Derby-Lux Restoration (1) 

Next time I'll tell you about it's restoration.

Stay tuned (o;

11 comments:

  1. Excelente trabalho, Raul. Deu até vontade de trabalhar um pouco em minhas "meninas" aqui.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Raul,

    Great blog. Looking forward to learning a lot on old and exotic cameras.

    All the best,
    Dennis

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Elmo Alves
    Óptimo Elmo.
    É esse o espírito.
    Abraço

    @Dennis
    I'm glad you liked it.
    I'll try not to disappoint you, in the future ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Adorei! Este blog além de informativo, está muito apelativo e muito profissional!
    Espero aprender muito! Quem sabe ainda me vai ajudar a escolher a minha futura máquina analógica! :)

    Beijinhos e um bom fim de semana!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Obrigado Teresa.

    Espero que sim, a minha intenção, ao criar este blog, não foi, apenas, exibir a minha colecção mas, também, partilhar histórias e, espero, que algum conhecimento.

    Um bom fim de semana, bjs.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm certainly very interested in how it turns out.

    Carl

    ReplyDelete
  7. An interesting blog I'll have to add to my daily computer duties. Your cameras and photography of them are always top notch. Makes my meager collection look so humble in comparison. Keep up the great work.

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Carl
    You will see it soon.

    @Curt
    Thank you Curt.
    Your "meager collection" it's an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, I have one of these cameras -- the later Derlux model. I am looking for the lens cap to fit it. It is engraved with "Gallus" and the image of a Gallic warrior. Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, i am considering buying one of these cameras, however it is the later model. Unfortunately there is the small circular button missing from the top, do you think i would be able to get hold of one of these as this would complete the camera. It is being offered to me in its present condition for £15.00. Anthony

    ReplyDelete
  11. There are only two ways for you to get replacement parts, for such a camera: either buying another one to cannibalize or have the part made by a mechanic.
    Even with that part missing, if the overall condition is nice, I think it's a good price.

    ReplyDelete