Voigtländer Avus (1927-35) image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)
Voigtländer Avus is a series of folding plate cameras, manufactured by Voigtländer & Sohn AG, Braunschweig, in Germany from 1913 to 1935. These medium-to-upper-quality cameras were made in various formats. They had double-extension bellows, were equipped with Ibsor or Compur shutters (either the older dial-set or the newer rim-set versions), and high-quality Tessar-type lenses, such as Voigtländer's own Skopar design, or with a Voigtar lens. The front lens standard allowed a small amount of both rise/fall and lateral shift. Other than that, they were typical of the other folding plate cameras of the day, with big folding sports finder and additional brilliant viewfinder.
The name Avus was taken from a popular car race circuit in Berlin, the first speedway of Germany. There is another explanation in the literature: the name A.V.U.S. is abbreviation of the company name: Aktiengesellschaft Voigtländer Und Sohn, (Voigtländer & Son, Limited Company).
This data belongs to the camera model in the pictures. Principally the same with other Avus models. Lenses and shutters are variable. Other format models are also available.
By a thumb wheel, with locking facility, on the right of the front cover, index and scale on the right-inside of the front cover
You can view and adjust the exact focus via the ground glass screen on the back of the camera, w/ cloth hood, opens by a latch on the left back side of the camera, this part can be remove by sliding it upwards for replacing the plate film holder
For this direct focusing the shutter must be on Z or T
Focus range: 1.2-20m +inf
Shutter: Compur leaf shutter, speeds: 1-1/200 +B & T
Setting: two dial sets on the shutter
For speeds: ring-dial on the shutter
Taking instant pictures with speeds, the time dial must be set on I or M
For time: markings on upper side of it Z-D-M (German) and opposite side T-B-I (English)
Cocking lever: for speeds, on the left side of the lens-shutter barrel,
For time exposures cocking is not necessary, just press the shutter level after T or B settings
Shutter release lever: on the right lower side of the lens-shutter barrel
Cable release socket: on the lens-shutter barrel
View finders:
Waist level Brilliant Finder on top of the lens and bellows mount plate, w/ a small spirit level (or water level) mounted beside it
Sports finder: a big wire sports finder, hinged on the lens-shutter barrel mount plate and used with a folding rear peep sight frame, on the left side of the camera
Bellows: double-extansion, can slide vertically and horizontaly by micrometer knotched knobs on the lens and lens standard
Front plate and bellows opening: front plate opens by a knob on the top side of the camera, it is invisible cause it is under the leatherette cover, then pull the bellows forward by engaging its rails to the front cover mounted rails, then press the two chrome grips on front of the lens rails to inwards simultaneously for slide-unlocking, then pull out the bellows as far as reaching to the focus scale,
Closing: simply pull in the bellows as far as it goes, than push to inward the struts
Back cover: as a plate film holder or ground glass screen, removable by sliding upwards after unlock the latch on top back side of the camera
Others: Tripod sockets two 3/8inch; Lugs for leather hand grip; serial no. none; Engravings on the back cover parts and inside of the front cover: Voigtländer; Relief on the leather hand grip: avus
Body: metal, Weight: 1069g
Voigtländer Avus (1927-35) Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)
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