Pentacon penti II Analogue camera
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Pentacon Penti II 35 mm half-frame camera, in very good cosmetic condition and tested and working.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
The Pentacon Penti II is an iconic and extremely stylish half-frame camera from the former GDR (East Germany). Produced by VEB Pentacon in Dresden in the 1960s, this model is world-renowned for its unique, slim, and luxurious design. The Penti II is often referred to as the “jewel box camera,” not only because of its refined finish but especially due to the special cassette film it uses (the SL cassette). It is a camera that feels more like a luxury accessory than a purely functional device, and thus an essential piece for any collector of iconic industrial design.
Key Features
Half-frame (18x24mm): With a single standard 35mm roll you could shoot up to 72 exposures, which was very economical at the time.
Unique ‘Plunger’ transport: Instead of a lever or knob, you use the distinctive retractable plunger button on the top to advance the film and cock the shutter.
Integrated light meter: The Penti II is the improved version with a built-in selenium light meter, which still contributes to the camera’s technical appeal.
Meyron 30mm f/3.5 lens: A quality lens well-suited to the typical DDR photography aesthetic; sharp in the center with a soft falloff toward the edges.
Luxurious housing: The camera has a very slim, rectangular profile with a beautiful textured pattern (in this case with the elegant decorative finish).
Technical Specifications
Camera type: Half-frame viewfinder camera (18x24mm) for SL cassettes.
Lens: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Meyron 30mm f/3.5.
Shutter: Mechanical central shutter with speeds from 1/15 to 1/250 second, plus the ‘B’ (Bulb) setting.
Serial number: Stamped on the bottom inside: 295059.
Condition of the object
Cosmetic: The camera is in very good vintage condition. The housing looks nice with minimal signs of wear appropriate for its age. The decorative texture on the front is well preserved.
Optical: The lens is clear and free of fungus or deep scratches. A few small specks of dust in the optics are present, which is normal for a camera from this period.
Mechanical: The shutter cocks and fires when the plunger is operated. The diaphragm control operates smoothly. The light meter responds to light, but accuracy has not been tested.
Test status: The camera is sold as a historical collectible. It has not been tested with film, which for this model specifically requires possession of the original SL cassettes.
What’s included?
Pentacon Penti II 35mm camera.
Original wrist strap.
Why buy this item?
The Penti II is a beautiful example of how camera design in the 1960s functioned as a fashion item. It’s a camera that is guaranteed to attract attention in any display case. For collectors of East German engineering (DDR), this is an absolute top piece, especially in this neat condition. It is a camera that begs to be admired for its mechanical ingenuity and its unique, slender appearance.
Keywords
Pentacon Penti II, Penti 2, Meyer-Optik Görlitz Meyron, Half-frame, DDR camera, Vintage camera, Analog photography, 35mm camera, SL cassette, East German camera, Collectible item, Retro photography, Analog collecting, Mechanical camera.
The Pentacon Penti II is an iconic and extremely stylish half-frame camera from the former GDR (East Germany). Produced by VEB Pentacon in Dresden in the 1960s, this model is world-renowned for its unique, slim, and luxurious design. The Penti II is often referred to as the “jewel box camera,” not only because of its refined finish but especially due to the special cassette film it uses (the SL cassette). It is a camera that feels more like a luxury accessory than a purely functional device, and thus an essential piece for any collector of iconic industrial design.
Key Features
Half-frame (18x24mm): With a single standard 35mm roll you could shoot up to 72 exposures, which was very economical at the time.
Unique ‘Plunger’ transport: Instead of a lever or knob, you use the distinctive retractable plunger button on the top to advance the film and cock the shutter.
Integrated light meter: The Penti II is the improved version with a built-in selenium light meter, which still contributes to the camera’s technical appeal.
Meyron 30mm f/3.5 lens: A quality lens well-suited to the typical DDR photography aesthetic; sharp in the center with a soft falloff toward the edges.
Luxurious housing: The camera has a very slim, rectangular profile with a beautiful textured pattern (in this case with the elegant decorative finish).
Technical Specifications
Camera type: Half-frame viewfinder camera (18x24mm) for SL cassettes.
Lens: Meyer-Optik Görlitz Meyron 30mm f/3.5.
Shutter: Mechanical central shutter with speeds from 1/15 to 1/250 second, plus the ‘B’ (Bulb) setting.
Serial number: Stamped on the bottom inside: 295059.
Condition of the object
Cosmetic: The camera is in very good vintage condition. The housing looks nice with minimal signs of wear appropriate for its age. The decorative texture on the front is well preserved.
Optical: The lens is clear and free of fungus or deep scratches. A few small specks of dust in the optics are present, which is normal for a camera from this period.
Mechanical: The shutter cocks and fires when the plunger is operated. The diaphragm control operates smoothly. The light meter responds to light, but accuracy has not been tested.
Test status: The camera is sold as a historical collectible. It has not been tested with film, which for this model specifically requires possession of the original SL cassettes.
What’s included?
Pentacon Penti II 35mm camera.
Original wrist strap.
Why buy this item?
The Penti II is a beautiful example of how camera design in the 1960s functioned as a fashion item. It’s a camera that is guaranteed to attract attention in any display case. For collectors of East German engineering (DDR), this is an absolute top piece, especially in this neat condition. It is a camera that begs to be admired for its mechanical ingenuity and its unique, slender appearance.
Keywords
Pentacon Penti II, Penti 2, Meyer-Optik Görlitz Meyron, Half-frame, DDR camera, Vintage camera, Analog photography, 35mm camera, SL cassette, East German camera, Collectible item, Retro photography, Analog collecting, Mechanical camera.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Brand
Pentacon
Model/type nr
penti II
Physical condition
Very good
Functional condition
Tested and working
Film type
35mm
Estimated period
1960-1970
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