Related Links:
Medium Format Camera List and Links

The Optika Professional was a truly unique mid-1960s medium format, single lens reflex camera.

The Optika Professional supported the following formats:

• 1 3/4'' x 2 1/4''
• 2 1/4'' x 2 7/8''
• 2 1/4'' x 2 1/4''
• 2 1/4'' x 3 1/4''

The Optika Professional also had:

• interchangeable backs or magazines
• film packs
• glass plates
• sheet film holder

Lens for the Optika Professional included:

• 180mm f/4.5 preset lens by Optika
• 180mm f/4.5 manual lens by Optika
• 210mm f/4.5 preset lens by Optika
• 300mm f/5.6 manual lens by Optika

Other interesting facts about the Optika Professional include:

• easy lens interchanging using flat lens mounting plate
• bellows focusing mount integral to camera (like Mamiya RB67 body)
• easy double exposures
• lens cover (flat metal square) pops up above lens for flare control
• eye-level hood with 45 degree mirror (upside down image to focus)
• eye-level hood faces rearward, providing horizontal viewing at eyelevel
• right hand bellows focusing knob
• right hand film advance knob
• shutter speeds from 1/4 second to 1/400th second
• ground glass is marked for various formats
• ground glass has a fresnel lens
• price in 1965 was $299.50 with the 100mm f/3.5 preset lens
• distributed by Aetna Optix Inc.

Discussion

The Optika Professional was a unique MF SLR offering in the mid 1960s. If you wanted the larger format, this was the main choice in an MF SLR. The camera foreshadowed several features of modern day cameras, including the Rollei SLR and Mamiya RB series integral bellows with an SLR format. In fact, the Optika Professional looks very similar to a Mamiya RB67 and very different from both the overgrown 35mm SLR type (Praktisix) and Hasselblad style bodies of its competitors (Hassy, Bronica S). The closest competitor would be the Kalimar 660, which looks very similar to a Kowa 6 body. At this time in the mid-1960s, there were only seven medium format SLR cameras to pick from (Hassy 500c and 500EL, Bronica S and C, Kalimar 660 and Praktisix II).

The Optika Professional also provided a rather limited range of telephoto lenses in a simple flat lens board mount. The idea was apparently that you could easily adapt and mount other lenses for the Optika, just as if it were a mini-view camera. The mirror reflex idea is also similar to reflex viewing on some early 4x5 press cameras. Coupled with the multitude of backs, the Optika Professional has an unusual degree of format and lens flexibility.

Source: World of 120 SLR Norman Rothschild, p.150-153, December 1965, Pop. Photography.

Optika IIa Ad Reveals Features...
Source: Modern Photography, Dec. 1958, p.174

Photo Notes:

This is an impressively solidly built early important first 6 x 9cm Japanese SLR; this example with f/3.5/105 Luminor normal lens and rollback for 120 film. This example cosmetically excellent condition.

[Ed. note: additional notes from an EBAY ad of 4/28/98]

Optika 6x9 camera with 3 roll film backs for 6x6,6x4.5,6x7, sheet film holders for 6x9. Camera has 105mm normal lens, 180mm portrait lens, original strap, instruction book. Camera is in EX condition. It has a large focal plane shutter and waist level and sports finder viewing. Rare old camera, haven't seen but one in better condition, that works as good as this one. Buyer pays S and H

On 04/25/98 at 15:18:36 PDT, seller added the following information:

This is the Optika 2A. Last one I saw in Shutterbug was $550.00 without all these accs.

Optika Medium Format System
Photo Courtesy of David Price
[email protected]

Photo Notes:

Optika Medium Format Camera, Made in Japan approx.1965. Camera is in near Mint Cond. Shows very little sign of use. Comes with The folling 4 lens: (Musashino Koki 300mm F5.6)(Optika Actinar, 210mm 1:6.3) (Qty 2. 105mm 1:3.5, one of these has a small scratch, should not affect pic.) The 300mm has 2 small spots on coating very minor ,will not affect picture image. Lens need a good cleaning. Overall lens are cond.Ex., Overall Camera Cond.near MINT. Comes with 2 backs, (Back #1 looks adjustable 6x7, 6x4.5,6x6,) (Back #2, 6x6). Comes with Qty.8 Film Backs. Has original box for camera. This is a Rare Camera, Very Few Around, and this is a user camera ready to go. The Qty.8 film backs are for single sheet film and the other Qty.2 are film roll backs, for roll film.

rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: "John Stewart" [email protected]
[1] Re: Crazy lens swaps
Date: Sun Nov 29 08:31:54 CST 1998

Since the Great Wall uses a mirror-shutter (like the old EXA 35mm), I think you may find some image cut-off when you use longer lenses. Also, I think the 400mm lenses you refer to will only cover a circle on film that contains a 35mm sized negative.

I have an old Optika SLR that has a similar system, but has a focal plane shutter and rack and pinion focusing. I can stick almost ANYTHING on it and get some kind of image!

John