Mentor* Atelier-Reflex

Overview

The Mentor Atelier-Reflex is a large-format camera with a rich history, made by the German company Mentor-Kamerafabrikn (Dresden) made between 1920s and late 1950s. Unlike the modern cameras you asked about previously, this is a much older, mechanically-focused camera that uses sheet film (also known as plates).
Key Characteristics:

Large Format and Plate Camera: The "Atelier-Reflex" is a type of plate camera, meaning it uses individual sheets of film, typically in a format like 9x12cm. This was a common format for professional cameras in the early to mid-20th century, before the widespread use of roll film and smaller formats.
Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) Design: Despite its age and large format, the camera has a single-lens reflex (SLR) design. It uses a mirror and a ground glass focusing screen, allowing the photographer to view and compose the image exactly as the lens sees it. This was a significant feature for its time, as many cameras required a separate viewfinder or a tedious process of focusing on a ground glass at the back of the camera after composing the shot.
Focal Plane Shutter: The Mentor Atelier-Reflex often features a focal plane shutter located directly in front of the film plane. This type of shutter, common in early SLRs, is a key part of the camera's design. The shutter speed is often controlled by a dial or knob that adjusts the tension of the shutter spring.
Studio Camera: As the name "Atelier-Reflex" (studio reflex) suggests, this camera was designed for professional use in a studio. Its size, weight, and the plate film system made it a workhorse for portraits, still-life, and other static subjects where high image quality was paramount.
Construction: The camera is a typical robust, all-metal and wood construction with a large bellows for focusing.

In summary, the Mentor Atelier-Reflex combines the precision of a large format camera with the convenience and speed of a reflex viewing system.

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