Spartus 35 & 35 F

Spartus "35" (Herold) c.1954 image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

The Spartus 35 and Spartus 35 F are a series of 35mm film Viewfinder cameras made by Spartus and then Herold Mfg co. in Chicago, USA., and produced between 1947-1954. ^[1]

The original black version of the body bears a strong resemblance to the Argus A. Later Spartus "35" models from Herold Products switched to a gray & silver body style somewhat reminiscent of the Kodak Pony. Their bodies is Bakelite. There are many different lens & shutter combinations of the Spartus 35 and 35 F. The most expensive model offering an f/3.5 coated anastigmat lens, four shutter speeds from 1/25 to 1/150 sec. plus T and B. But, commonly the cameras have a simple manual scale focus, one speed shutter (Inst 1/50 / Time) and 50mm f/6.3 (or f/7.7) lens with apertures f/6.3-7.7-11-16. Also,there were many cosmetic variations of the body during its manufacturing period. The "F" designation indicated a top flash sync connector bolts on the top plate. Late Spartus 35 models also have connector holes or bolts for dedicated bulb flash units on the top.

Specifications[]

This data belongs to the camera c.1954 in the photos

Lens: 50mm f/6.3 filter slip-on
- Aperture:(no scale or ring on the lens), setting: rotating plate with 4 holes corresponding the aperture numbers f/6.3-7.7-11-16, by wheel under the lens-shutter barrel, markings on it: cloudy, hazy, bright, dull
- Focus range: 4-20 feet +inf
Focusing:manual front focusing, guess the distance
Shutter: Simple spring rotary shutter, one speed, Instant (1/50) +T (B), setting lever on the shutter
Cocking lever and Shutter release: by the same lever, for instant press once and release, on the lens-shutter barrel
Frame counter: on the top plate, manual setting, not works wo/film in the camera
Winding knob: on the top plate, double exposure prevention
Viewfinder: reverse telescopic finder, in the top housing
Re-wind knob: on the top plate
Re-wind release: knob on the back cover
Flash:Dedicated Spartus bulb flash unit, fits to the two holes on the the top plate
Flash PC socket: none
Back cover: removable, opens by a latch on it
Tripod socket: 1/4"
Body: Bakelite; Weight: 408g w/flash unit