Chris's camera pages

A simple, but well made 35mm camera from Braun. This model was made around 1957 and was fitted with a fixed lens, either a Steinheil Cassar 45mm f/2.8 lens with the focus scale calibrated in metres, or with a Staeble Kata 45mm f/2.8 with the focus scale calibrated in feet. In both cases a Pronto shutter was used.

Braun made a whole raft of similar cameras. If the camera is otherwise identical, but has a Steinheil Cassar 45mm f/2.8 lens in a Prontor SVS shutter, then the camera is a Paxette I. If the camera is otherwise identical, but is fitted with an Enna-Plastigon 50mm f/2.8 lens in a Prontor SVS shutter, then the camera is a Paxette Ia.

The second window in the front of the cast top cover is not a rangefinder window as might be expected, but actually is an extinction exposure meter. The extinction meter is used by looking into the tiny window at the right-rear of the top cover and after a wait of twenty seconds to allow your eye to adapt, you take note of the highest visible number, which is the exposure value for a film of a speed of ISO 50. There is a chart in the instruction book with the corresponding shutter speeds and aperture settings.

These cameras were fitted with Pronto shutters, one with speeds running from 1/25 to 1/200 seconds plus B. The shutters have X flash synchronisation, and a built-in self-timer.

The shutter release is a large knurled button on a lever, at the right-hand side of the shutter body.

The film advance is by lever on the top-right of the top cover. Two complete strokes of the advance lever are required to cock the shutter and advance the film to the next frame.

There is a conventional knob to rewind the film at the left-hand end of the top cover. The rewind button, which must be held depressed throughout the entire rewinding process, is the small button on the top of the top cover, on the right, towards the rear.

Braun Paxette Ib instruction manual on Richard Urmonas' excellent website.