Photo thanks to Gary Cullen
[email protected]
Related Local Links:
History of Medium Format SLR
Pilot Super MF SLR (successor)
Pilot TLR Camera
Special thanks to Gary Cullen for offering and providing us with this neat
photo of his classic Pilot 6 camera photo. The Pilot 6 camera is an
historically interesting medium format camera that helped define future
generations of medium format single lens reflex camera design. This
camera was one of the first roll-film medium format SLR cameras put into
production. Dating from 1936-39, the SLR used standard 120 rollfilm for 6x6cm
exposures (12). The original shutter was of a metal guillotine design providing
only 1/25th to 1/100th second, later extended to 1/150th second. The last series
had shutters from 1/20th to 1/200th second. The original model had fixed Laack Pololyt
75mm f/3.5 lenses or a KW Anastigmat 75mm f/6.3. The latest models had interchangeable
lenses. This camera gave way to the Pilot Super in 1939. For such an early and historically
interesting medium format SLR, this camera can often be found for circa $100-150+ depending
on condition.
Photo Notes:
Watch out Hasselblad here comes the good old Pilot Super. This classic camera was made in 1939-41 before WWII, in Dresden Germany at the Kamera-Werkstatten Guthe & Thorsch. Metal Guillotine Shutter 20 to 200. Pilotar 75mm f4.5 lens closes to f16. The shutter seems to work fine but has not been tested for accuracy. The focus ring and the iris ring rotate with ease. Ground glass focusing with a built in magnifier and a sport finder. This one does not have an extinction meter and is missing one piece of leather on the film spool knob. Left side of camera has a factory installed Focal Depth Scale and an Exposure Table. This camera takes twelve 6x6 exposures on a 120 standard roll of film that is still readily available. And inside the film chamber is an original factory mask that allows conversion to 4.5 X 6 format. This camera accepts Interchangable lenses. I rate this fine classic camera to be in very good condition with only light normal wear and tear for a camera of this vintage. A fine addition to any collection and a good possible user.