Ferrania, Galileo Condor II /b + Esaog 2/5Ccm Rangefinder camera

35mm Camera CONDOR II /b (Ferrania/Officine Galileo)

The Condor II, introduced in 1950, represents the flagship of the Condor series produced by Officine Galileo for Ferrania. Built in two versions, with or without a sensitivity indicator on the shutter button, it presents itself as a professional camera, robust and with modern performance for its time. It is equipped with a bright lens, the Esaog 5cm f/2 six-lens, a shutter release lever (available in short or long versions), and a film rewind knob, features that make it somewhat comparable to Leica cameras.

Object: CONDOR II /b 35mm rangefinder camera (serial number 00212892) with fixed, pull-out lens ESAOG 5 cm f/2 (serial number 028455), accompanied by the original lens cap.

Production: Italy (Ferrania / Officine Galileo), 1950 – approximately 1955.

Rarity: Quite rare (index 5), considered a collectible 'Leica Copy,' made entirely of metal and glass. The Condor II is among the rarest Ferrania cameras and highly valued by Italian photographic material collectors.

Historical and collectible value: the Condor II also achieved success abroad, as highlighted by the French magazine Photo Cinéma in May 1953: 'Italian post-war manufacturing has not finished surprising us.' Today, it is considered a milestone of post-war Italian photography, appreciated for its build quality, luminous optics, and advanced technical solutions for the period.

Estimated Production: The high serial number (located near no. 215328, the highest known) suggests it is one of the last produced. An estimated production of approximately 15,000 units is assumed (codes no. 200000 – 215328).

Technical Details
Film format: 24×36 mm (standard 35 mm).
ESAOG 50mm f/2 lens with 6 elements: the brightest Italian lens ever produced for the 24x36 mm format (aperture from f/2 to f/16).
Unique feature: It is the world's first machine of its kind with an extractable manual winding lever.
Shutter: Galileo Iscus Rapid central shutter with speeds from 1 second to 1/500 of a second, plus B mode.
Telemetro: a wide-base coincidence, paired with the lens for precise focusing. Operates from 0.80 m to infinity, well contrasted and in parallax.
Mechanical: long version charge lever and a knob for rewinding the film.
Body: Solid, all-metal, with original black leather upholstery.
Measurements: L 13.00 x H 9.0 x P 6.5 cm (with the lens closed).
Weighs approximately 700g.

Conditions of the object
Aesthetics: Excellent overall condition, slight signs of aging and use, without deep scratches or dents. Original lens cap intact.
Lenses: clear, clean, and free of mold.
Diaphragm functioning (photos 8 and 9 show f/2 and f/16).
Mechanical: perfectly functioning.
Shutter: Working with all exposure times (B and from 1 second to 1/500 second).
Telemetro, load film and count frames are functioning.

Attention: Test conducted without film and/or flash.

Note: The original instruction manual is provided in PDF format upon request.