Pilot Super Medium Format SLR Camera (1939-41)
Photo thanks to Dale Eccles
[email protected]
Related Local Links:
History of the Medium Format SLR
Pilot TLR
Pilot 6 SLR (of 1936-39)
This pilot super medium format SLR camera is a very interesting example
of a historically significant MF SLR camera (see MF history article above).
Many of the features seen or introduced in these early MF SLRs can still
be found on current MF SLR models. The above photo shows the rather
direct links between the twin lens reflex design and this single lens
reflex design.
The Pilot Super was produced from 1939-41 on the Pilot 6 body. You had an option
of 12 6x6cm images or 16 4.5x6cm images on 120 rollfilm with a mask. A small meter
(extinction meter type) on the viewing hood is original to this model. The same
shutter as in the later Pilot 6 models offered a 1/20th to 1/200th second speed range plus
Time and Bulb exposures. Lenses included the Ennastar, Laack or Pilotar (as in Pilot)
ranging in speeds from f/2.8, f/3.5, and f/4.5. Again, for such a historic camera series,
the going prices (around ~$100+) make it easy to start a medium format SLR collection!
The Pilot Super was made in Dresden Germany between 1939 and 1941. The successor to the Pilot Six, the Super has an extinction meter on the viewing hood. This camera takes 16 pictures, 4.5 X 6 cm on 120 film. The lens is a Pilotar f2.8, 7.5 cm Ludwig -Dresden # 470728.