Steinheil Casca
The Casca is a German 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses, introduced in 1948 by Munich lens-maker Steinheil. The name came from the company initials, C.A. Steinhel Camera. There were two models, the Casca I was a viewfinder camera, and the 1949 Casca II had a rangefinder. Casca I came with a Culminar 5cm f/2.8 lens. Two other Culminar lenses were offered, an 8.5cm f/2.8 and a 13.5cm f/4.5, as well as a 3.5cm f/4.5 Orthostigmat. Casca II offered the option of a Quinon 5cm f/2 lens.
The Casca had very advanced features for its time, such as a sophisticated bayonet lens mount (different and incompatible on the two models), a very large finder with bright-lines for different focal lengths, and a flip-up back giving easy access for loading. It had a focal plane shutter, with speeds from 1/25-1000 + B (I) and 1/2-1/1000s + B (II), set by a slider on the back, operated by the right thumb.
Casca I with Culminar lens and accessory finder image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
Casca II with f/2 Quinon lens image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
Casca II with 3.5cm lens and finder image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
Outfit case for camera, 3 lenses & acc's image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
shutter speed selector slide image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
Links
- Images of the Casca I by André Bessot
- Casca on Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest.
- Casca I on the Leitzmuseum site
- Casca History & Images by Geoff Harrisson