SUPERB! Circa 1933 Plaubel Makina II, 6x9, coupled Rangefinder camera. Freshly Serviced, CLA'd.

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

In this auction we have arguably one of the best prewar rangefinder cameras of the prewar era… This is the classic Plaubel Makina II and it is capable of producing very sharp 6x9 images on normal 120 rollfilm.

The Plaubel Makina II was introduced by Plaubel in 1933 and produced until 1935 as a top quality, professional press cameras. It was a very expensive camera that made common folding cameras of its era pale in comparison. Its body was carefully constructed, wrapped in fine quality leather and fitted with a coupled rangefinder that made focusing quick and easy. Though initially designed as a plate camera, Plaubel also offered a roll-film base that allowed it to use 120 roll-film. Another nice feature of this model is that the lens and shutter moves together as a unit when focusing. This provides better lens performance (especially up close) than the more common “front cell focus” in which only the front element is turned in or out.

During WWII war correspondents of all nationalities used the Plaubel Makina and as a result they were in high demand and in short supply. These photographers often reached for the Makina when they wanted to produce a higher quality photo then even a Contax or Leica could produce. They were used intensively and as a result many examples were lost, damaged or simply worn out.

Still popular 90 years later with collectors, photographers & reenactors who are lucky enough to own one, the Makina is still capable of producing lovely photos. Few are willing to sell them. Because of this and the limited number of clean, useable examples, the Plaubel will always be a desirable and hard to find camera.

This circa 1933 Plaubel Makina is excellent condition. The coupled rangefinder works well and makes focusing easy. The bellows are supple and light tight. Additionally the camera has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The quality Compur shutter works smoothly and all speeds are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the fast speeds are clean and snappy.

The Plaubel Anticomar 2.9/10cm (100mm) lens is clean and clear. There are no scratches or just a few very light cleaning wisps and it’s capable of producing lovely photos with modern color and black & white film.

It comes complete with a vintage brown leather case lined in velvet.

All in all a wonderful classic camera. Load it with your favorite film and keep it handy for that perfect shot you’ve been looking for. You know the one... the one with the perfect Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing you had a classic camera with you.