P & B Audax
Specification
| Manufacturer | : | P & B (Italy) |
|---|---|---|
| Produced | : | 1939 |
| Classification | : | Medium Format |
| Body Type | : | Folding Bed |
| Bellows Deployment | : | Self Erecting |
| Construction | : | Metal |
| Film Type | : | 120 |
| Film Width | : | 62mm |
| ImageSize | : | 2¼ x 3¼ in |
| No. of Images | : | 8 |
| Lens Type | : | Anastar |
| Focal Length | : | 105mm |
| Focus Type | : | Variable |
| Focal Range | : | 1.5m - inf. |
| Aperture Type | : | Iris |
| Aperture | : | f/8, f/11, f/16 |
| Shutter Type | : | leaf |
| Shutter Speeds | : | T,B, I(1/25, 1/50, 1/100) |
| Size Closed (w x h x d) | : | 90 x 170 x 34 mm |
| Size Open (w x h x d) | : | 110 x 170 x 120 mm | Weight | : | 511g |
Art Deco Credentials
Significant: Pronounced and self evident
- Produced during the main Art Deco period.
- Geometric black and chrome faceplate design.
- Chrome struts.
- Angled ends to body.
- Body leatherette embossed with linear pattern.
- Concentric stepped circles on spool centres.
- Chrome winder, lens door release and film door latch.
- Black & chrome pop-up finder
Description
This camera was made in Italy, by P&B of Turin in the years 1939-42. It's name was derived from Latin and means bold and audacious which was typical of this company that produced cameras with high sounding names.
It is a self erecting folding bed camera producing 6x9 cm images on 120 rollfilm. It has an Anastar f/8 lens that can be stoped down to f/11 and f/16.
The shutter supports T and B and the normal range of shutter speeds - 1/100, 1/50 and 1/25s. The shutter has to be primed before it is released. The shutter release in on the body of the camera. It has a connector for remote cable operation.
It has front focussing allowing focus down to 1.5m. The pop-up viewfinder is on the side of the camera. It has two tripod sockets for portrait and landscape use. The bellows are retracted by pressing a chrome plated bar under the lens plate.I found it offered for sale new in the Hull Daily Mail, Yorkshire, England on Friday 12 July 1946 for £8. That's £340 in today's money.
How to Use
This camera takes 120 film which is easily available from photographic outlets.
If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide shown, using shutter speeds are 1/25s, 1/50s and 1/100s only. It is based on the 'Sunny 16' rule. Film is so forgiving and will produce acceptable results even when overexposed by 2 or 3 stops or underexposed by 1 stop.
The table assumes that the sun is at least 30 degrees above the horizon - that's 10am - 5pm on a summer's day (May-August) in the UK.
If you are not sure about the light level, err on the side of overexposure - i.e. assume the smaller f number.
Where there is a choice, a larger f number will give a larger depth of field.
For the slower speeds, you may need a tripod to stop blur through shake.
The results shown in green show perfect exposure. The results shown in amber will give acceptable results. Results in red are unacceptable.
Using ISO 100/125 film
| Weather Conditions | Shadow Detail | Shutter Speed (s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/25 | 1/50 | 1/100 | ||
 SunnySnow/Sand | Dark with sharp edges | f/16 | f/16 | f/16 |
| Sunny | Distinct | f/16 | f/16 | f/16 |
 Slight Overcast | Soft around edges | f/16 | f/16 | f/11 |
 Overcast | Barely visible | f/16 | f/11 | f/8 |
 Heavy Overcast | None | f/11 | f/8 | f/8 |
 Open Shade/Sunset | None | f/8 | f/8 | f/8 |