AFPU issue, and other cameras used to record WW2

This list is based around the cameras issued to the WW2 British Army Photographic and Film Unit (AFPU) with illustrations from my collection. It also includes references to cameras used by civilian photo-journalists, US army photographers and also to civilian cameras of the period which have a specific connection to the conflict. I would be grateful for any details of omissions or errors (use contact form).
Malcolm Atkin

Zeiss Super Ikonta

(model 530/16)
1935-7

The Super ikonta models 530/16 and 532/16 were the standard cameras issued to the AFPU. They were described in the AFPU manual as having been ‘proved to be the best and handiest in action’. By contrast Bert Hardy, commented 'I can only think that it was adopted by the army in order to make life difficult for us (Hardy, p.188).

Rangefinder camera with F3.5 or f2.8 80mm lens with compur shutter to 1/400th. Separate rangefinder and viewfinder (530/16) or combined (532/16). 120mm size film, 11 exposures.

The 530/16 was used by Sergeant Peter Norris during the Normandy campaign.

Zeiss Super Ikonta (model 532/16)
1937-56

Later model with combined viewfinder and rangefinder.

Used by Bert Hardy as a sergeant in the AFPU.

Rolleiflex Automat
1937-9

Twin lens reflex camera. In AFPU service, intended to cover ‘feature sets’ rather than rapid action.

Compur shutter to 1/400th. Tessar F3.5 75mm lens

120mm film, 12 exposures

A Rollieflex was used by Robert Capa from 1943 to supplement his Contax, on the insistence of Life magazine. It was used to photograph images of wounded troops on board ship on return from the first wave of D Day landings. Lee Miller also used a Rolleiflex during WW2.

An earlier model of the Rolleiflex was used in the Spanish Civil War by Gerda Taro during 1936-7 and by David 'Chim' Seymour during 1936-8 (alongside his Leica).

Kodak Medalist I
1941

Heavy and awkward rangefinder camera 'the professional's heavy tank'.

Kodak Super-Matic shutter to 1/400th. F3.5 100m lens. Unusualy for pre-war cameras, the lens was coated.
620mm film 8 exposures.

The AFPU manual stated that this camera ‘should only be handled by an experienced photographer’. it was mainly used for Used for colour and infra-red photography.

Voightlander Bessa I
1931-49

This was the most basic camera of the cameras issued to the AFPU. Although the Bessa was also available as a rangefinder model, the type illustrated in the AFPU manual relies on estimating focussing distance and adjusting using the mount on the lens.
Compur shutter to 1/400th. F4.5 105m lens.

120mm film taking 8 or 16 half-sized exposures (with mask).

AFPU manual takes care to note that the ‘lens should not be cleaned with a handkerchief’.

Ensign Commando
1945-50 (civilian version illustrated 1947)

The original military version of the Ensign Commando was issued to some forces at the end of 1945. The main difference to the civilian version released in 1946 was in having a plainer trim and different design of rewind knob.

F3.5 75mm lens.120mm film size

Leica IIIa
1935-40

Regarded as less rugged and more difficult to loasd than the Contax II but lighter. Interchangeable lenses (standard for professionals was the50mm F2 summar). 35mm film in cassettes.

Leica II or IIIA used by Robert Capa in 1936 during Spanish Civil War (he had used a Leica II to photograph Trotsky in 1932). In 1937 he changed to a Contax and gave the Leica to Gerda Taro. David 'Chim' Seymour also used a Leica in Spain (alongside his Rolleiflex).
Also used by British WW2 war correspondent George Rodger for Life magazine. Sgt Sandy McLaren of AFPU used his personal Leica alongside Super Ikonta until temporary capture by the Africa Corps. He continued his efforts to recover his camera until 1964! (Grant, p,22-24).

Zeiss Contax II
1936-45

The first camera with a combined range/viewfinder. It was able to use interchangeable lenses and had an cccessory shoe for flash.

Speed to 1/1250. Interchangeable lenses (standard is 50mm Sonar – F2 or F1.5). 35mm film in cassettes.

Favoured by many professional photographers of the time – notably Robert Capa, Bert Hardy and Lee Miller. The AFPU allowed Hardy to use his Contax – but refused to pay the costs of servicing it

Kodak 35 (Military)
1941-3

Military version of the first 35mm camera produced by Kodak in 1938. Most of the first production was bought by the US military.

Basic 35mm camera without rangefinder. F4.5 51mm lens

Argus C3 ('The Brick')
1939-66

35mm camera with fixed lens. Introduced in 1939.

Issued to GI soldier/photographers (GIs given cameras to record unit histories). Most famously used by Tony Vaccaro to record the 83rd Infantry Division in Europe 1944-5.

Graflex Speed Graphic (Anniversary)
1940-47

The American Speed Graphic half-plate camera was the standard press camera of the 1930s and 1940s (35mm cameras were considered 'toys' by some editors until the pioneering work of photographers such as Bert Hardy).

Interchangeable lenses. Speeds 1 sec to 1/1000.

Film size 3-1/4" x 4-1/4" or 4" x 5" single sheets.

The 'anniversary' model was manufactured 1940 - 47 and was also produced in a military version for the US forces. It was not suited to action shots – but the US produced a military version and was the camera used by Rosenthal to take the iconic image of the raising of the US flag on Iwo Jima.

Ensign Midget
1934-41

The Ensign company seized upon the marketing opportunity afforded by the outbreak of war and advertised their well-established Midget camera to troops as 'A remarkable war time camera'. ‘It goes into a tunic pocket, with room to spare’.
‘Keep an Ensign Midget war-time diary’. (Ensign 1940 catalogue).

It uses E10 roll film to produce a negative 3.5 x 4.5 cm.