Iloca Aut-O-Matic 35mm Rangefinder

[br1078lum]

Found this in a pile of cameras at an antique store ($15.00), and it had some things that needed to be fixed.  The covering was coming off the bottom, viewfinder was hazed over, rangefinder woefully out of adjustment, and the filter ring was all bashed in.  After researching it, I found out there is not a a lot of info out there on this model.  Seems it came at the end time for Wilhelm Witt, before they were swallowed up by AGFA, and so not a lot of them were made.  You usualy see the various Rapid models, but not the Aut-O-Matic.  So I dove right in, and fixed the darn thing.  I spent at least an extra hour just studying how all the levers worked, and learning the quirks of the camera, but it didn't take too long to repair.

Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157628166102809/

And here is what it looks like after the work.


Iloca Aut-O-Matic Front by br1078phot, on Flickr

So I loaded it up with some Kodak BW400CN to give it a test run.  First stop was at the airport, after seeing some interesting patterns in the sky on my way downtown.


Tracers by br1078phot, on Flickr

Someone shot the sun from the sky!  Well, not really, just some contrails from all the jets in the flyway, and a little sun flare in the lens.

Next up, along Rorer Ave, in Roanoke, VA.  It's lined with some very old buildings that used to be a hub of repair and light manufacturing.  Slowly losing the battle with Mother Nature, and the result of human neglect, they are a sad reminder of the time when many small businesses did the same kind of work, and relied upon their good name and quality craftsmanship to beat the competition.


Losing The Battle by br1078phot, on Flickr

On the front side of the street, and up the road a couple of blocks, stands a testament to Mother Nature holding her own.


Rock And Wall by br1078phot, on Flickr

The rest of the set can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157628166723695/

Not done with the roll yet, I went in search of something more uplifting, and headed down to the Buseum.  It's run by Commonwealth Coach And Trolley, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and display of transit and over-the-road buses used in Virginia.  They could sure use a new facility, and while I was there, I got wrangled into removing the station scroll from one of the two Greyhound Silversides. 


Ride To Nowhere by br1078phot, on Flickr


End Of The Day by br1078phot, on Flickr

You can see this set at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157628166986899/

It's an interesting camera, the Aut-O-Matic, and I'm glad I found it.

PF

[Nick Merritt]

Really informative writeup!  I'm not familiar with the Ysarex, but it seems like a darn good lens.  You didn't say whether the meter works, but I'm assuming no.

[joho35mm]

This is great! Proof that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, or a camera by its looks. I'm glad you saved the camera, and Nick is right - there's absolutely nothing wrong with that lens. I particularly liked the last shot of the bus in the garage.

[br1078lum]

Joseph, one of my favorite cameras that I reluctantly had to part with was a Polaroid 110B, with a Rodenstock Ysarex.  A fine lens that was, and a fun camera to use.  It had a built in lens cap that when you flipped it up with the lens wide open, there was a little hole in the cap with a light baffle, and that gave you an effective f90 aperture.  Everything from 22 inches to infinity would then be in focus.

Nick, the meter on the Iloca is many moons from reacting to photonic exitation.  Still using my stereoscopic Sunny-16 meter.

PF

[Julio1fer]

Thanks for the informative post. I had never heard of this camera befoe.

You've got a very nice instrument there, the lens is excellent. 

[LarryD]

Outstanding.

[Hoosier_Rich]

Very nice PF. I especially like "end of the day"  but all are nice. I'm getting a bit jealous of all you guys finding these gems at your local haunts. All I've ever seen were antique stores that want $30 for a box camera. OK, I did score a Vivitar ultra wide & slim at Goodwill for $4 once ... once. I'm about ready to start hitting the auctions around here and see what I can rescue.  :rolleyes:

[Olypen]

The time you spent on repairs paid off with the restoration of a fine picture-taker-- as I looked at them I kept thinking "snappy" - some punch to them.  Like others I put the last photo at the top of my list, but all of them draw you in.  Good work!  I wonder if that company ever built cameras for Wards or Sears?

[Philip]

Amazing quality!  Fine camera.

[br1078lum]

Larry, Julio, thanks.  It's always fun to find a sleeper of a camera.

Rich, the reason this one was so cheap was it's condition being less than desirable.  Otherwise, I think the owner would have wanted $60-$80 for it. Sometimes you just have to take a chance.

Bill, I do know some of the Iloca Rapid models were sold as the Tower (Sears) brand.  Don't know if the Aut-O-Matic ever was.

Thanks, Philip.

PF

[LarryD]

Rich what do you want from my collection? I will send you  a Kiev 6c you find a lens for it you pay shipping and I will throw in film.. It is just extra to me.....  If that will make you feel better.... Your Goodwill there is all online I see so I do understand...

[Hoosier_Rich]

Oh I was just joking Larry. I do look just on the off chance, but I don't really NEED more cameras. LOL

That said, I'd love to take you up on your offer if we can work out some kind of payment. If you don't want it, use it to go buy the new grand son a new toy.  :cool:  I'll PM you so we can get this rolling.

[LarryD]

Well I may need cash As of January 1 Congress cuts off my cash.. LOL

[martolod]

i might be interested in a kiev......

[jamesmck]

I like these a lot, Phil.  I favor the last one, too.

James