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Lot Essay
The Dallmeyer Snapshot cameras were available for a short period between 1929 and 1935. Three models were produced, each featuring improved features while retaining the look of the original model. The cameras were made for Dallmeyer by the Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Company of Walthamstow.
The original film pack Snapshot camera was the subject of British patent 295071 granted to J. H. Dallmeyer Ltd and H. A. Carter on 12 May 1927. The patent described three features: a collapsible camera with rear box portion to hold a film pack; an automatic self-erection mechanism; and, tubular vents in the camera front to permit free passage of air into and from the bellows during opening and closing. Cameras were being increasingly made from pressed metals using more precise manufacturing techniques and such vents were necessary as camera became airtight to prevent damage to the more fragile bellows.
The camera was reviewed in the 1929 British Journal Photographic Almanac. The review described the camera: 'Messers. Dallmeyer, who during the past few years have made records in the introduction of notable cameras for amateur use, are this season introducing an entirely distinctive model which will certainly attain wide popularity on account of its novel design and features and its moderate price. The Dallmeyer Snapshot is a camera made specially to take film-packs of 3¼ x 2¼ inches size (6 x 9cm) A special feature of the camera is the arrangement of the markings for lens aperture and shutter speed by which the novice is told what to do without bothering about exposure tables and other technicalities. In place of the usual markings of lens aprture the camera is provided with an indicator which is to be set at 'Dull' or 'Bright' according to the lighting. The between-the-lens shutter or ever-set type is embodied in the camera front, and gives the two useful exposures of 1-40th and 1-20th of a second, in addition to 'time' when the camera is used on a tripod Made entirely of metal, the price of the camera complete in morocco leather case is £5 5s.'
Dallmeyer themselves described the camera as being fitted with a new design of Dallmeyer Anastigmat lens of large aperture and possessing enormous depth of focus. They claimed: 'A novel camera for Simplified Photography. Nothing to Learn - Nothing to Forget'.
A Deluxe film-pack model was available in 1930 and in 1931 the British Journal Photographic Almanac described the rollfilm Snapshot camera: 'The Dallmeyer Snapshot camera taking 3¼ x 2¼ in. film-packs made a great hit as an utterly simple 'snapshot' camera giving pictures of extremely good technical quality, thanks to the provision of the minimum of adjustments and an f/6 Dallmeyer anastigmat lens of very short focus. The 3¼ x 2¼-in. camera for roll-film is just as good in these respects The body incorporates a patented air-valve which prevents displacement of the film from the plane of focus by suction in opening the camera'. A deluxe rollfilm model was also available.
The original film pack Snapshot camera was the subject of British patent 295071 granted to J. H. Dallmeyer Ltd and H. A. Carter on 12 May 1927. The patent described three features: a collapsible camera with rear box portion to hold a film pack; an automatic self-erection mechanism; and, tubular vents in the camera front to permit free passage of air into and from the bellows during opening and closing. Cameras were being increasingly made from pressed metals using more precise manufacturing techniques and such vents were necessary as camera became airtight to prevent damage to the more fragile bellows.
The camera was reviewed in the 1929 British Journal Photographic Almanac. The review described the camera: 'Messers. Dallmeyer, who during the past few years have made records in the introduction of notable cameras for amateur use, are this season introducing an entirely distinctive model which will certainly attain wide popularity on account of its novel design and features and its moderate price. The Dallmeyer Snapshot is a camera made specially to take film-packs of 3¼ x 2¼ inches size (6 x 9cm) A special feature of the camera is the arrangement of the markings for lens aperture and shutter speed by which the novice is told what to do without bothering about exposure tables and other technicalities. In place of the usual markings of lens aprture the camera is provided with an indicator which is to be set at 'Dull' or 'Bright' according to the lighting. The between-the-lens shutter or ever-set type is embodied in the camera front, and gives the two useful exposures of 1-40th and 1-20th of a second, in addition to 'time' when the camera is used on a tripod Made entirely of metal, the price of the camera complete in morocco leather case is £5 5s.'
Dallmeyer themselves described the camera as being fitted with a new design of Dallmeyer Anastigmat lens of large aperture and possessing enormous depth of focus. They claimed: 'A novel camera for Simplified Photography. Nothing to Learn - Nothing to Forget'.
A Deluxe film-pack model was available in 1930 and in 1931 the British Journal Photographic Almanac described the rollfilm Snapshot camera: 'The Dallmeyer Snapshot camera taking 3¼ x 2¼ in. film-packs made a great hit as an utterly simple 'snapshot' camera giving pictures of extremely good technical quality, thanks to the provision of the minimum of adjustments and an f/6 Dallmeyer anastigmat lens of very short focus. The 3¼ x 2¼-in. camera for roll-film is just as good in these respects The body incorporates a patented air-valve which prevents displacement of the film from the plane of focus by suction in opening the camera'. A deluxe rollfilm model was also available.