This
is not a rangefinder, but it seems to be rare or all information got
lost. The S.E.T.R.I. is a simple 120 film folding camera, 6x9 format,
probably built in the
1920s or 1930s. I found no information either about the firm nor the
camera. There are several firms with this name, but it's either house
insulation or electrics.
Although there is an elaborate enamel sign for the brand and the lens is signed S.E.T.R.I. as well, I think this is a re-branded camera. I have most probably found the origin. It could be an Ihagee camera from Dresden. Please have a look at a very interesting Dresden camera page. The link opens in a new window. At 2/3s of the page there are the Ultrix from 1922 à 36, this one seems to be a no. 1460 model. Lens type, shutter, body, focus system, it all seems to fit.
Size (mm): 177 x 93 x 37 Weight: 615 g Lens: S.E.T.R.I. Anastigmat 4,5/105, closest focus ~1 m Shutter: Ibsor, B, T, 1s - 1/125, F 4.5 - 32 Finder: folding viewfinder and sports frame finder Film advance: via red window
Here are some photos of the camera. There is a short introduction to the use of it and how it feels at the bottom of the page.
Camera folded. Front. Stand folded and tripod socket (portrait mode).
Camera
front, bed open, bellows not extended..
Seen
from the back. Red window.
Left side. Film advance, opening button under the leather skin next to the film advance and tropod socket (landscape mode).
Right side. Sports finder folded and brand sign.
Seen
from above. Finder and cable release socket.
Camera
front open. Shutter speed setting on top of the lens:
shutter cocking and release lever (double action). Under the lens: aperture setting.
Left side, camera open. Focus setting lever on camera bed.
Right side, camera open.
Focussing lever, moves the camera bed out.
The lens.
The viewfinder...
...folds when the camera is closed. Keeps the body smaller.
Frame finder set up.
Seen from front.
Camera back open.
Handling
a S.E.T.R.I. is easy, it's just like
other folding cameras. Loading film is as usual. Open
the
camera back, retract the film advance to liberate the cradle, swing the cradle out and put the
take-up spool into
place. Same procedure for the film spool. Insert the film paper
backing
into the take-up spool and advance it using the advance knob until it's
well engaged. Close the camera back. Look at the red window and
advance
the film via the advance knob
until the red window shows "1".
Open
the camera bed. Squeeze the two levers under the lens and extend the bellows. Set shutter speed and aperture. Set focus via the lever on the camera bed,
focusing moves the bed out. Lower the
shutter release lever. Moving the lever back cocks the shutter anew. That's it. To
close the camera, set focus to infinity, squeeze the two levers under the lens and fold the bellows, press the hinges of the struts
as
usual, it will fold easily. Turn the film advance until the next number is
shown.
The S.E.T.R.I. is a nice and simple camera, easy to use, with a good lens and a reliable shutter. It
lacks automatic film advance and a rangefinder, but it's a nice camera
nevertheless. It's lightweight for a 6x9 camera. The origianal, the Ihagee Ultrix, is good choice if you want to
start with a basic 6x9 120 film folder and spend next to nothing.
