FERRANIA CONDOR I
1948

Serial Nr.006721
Lens Serial Nr.0103879

Characteristics and functions
La Ferrania Condor I is the first camera model produced by collaboration between
Ferrania and Officine Galileo in Florence.
This is the first real attempt by Italy to enter the professional photographic market
offering for the first time a complete and performed camera. At the time it was a greatcompetitor of Leica in the field of advanced professionals and amateurs: "The Italian
Leica", as the editorial staff of the “Il Progresso Fotografico” in 1948 wrote, on theoccasion of the launch of the new camera.
The words "Condor I" (this last part of the abbreviation is painted in red) and"Ferrania" are engraved and painted in black in the center of the upper cap. The
other indications present on the shell are: "A" and arrow of the rotary direction on thepawl for the advancement of the film; "R" and rotational direction arrow on the pawlfor rewinding the exposed film; letters "A" and "R", which are highlighted by moving
the central cursor (position to be used respectively in the Advancement of the film orduring the Recovery of the exposed film). On the back of the upper cap there are theeyepieces of the viewfinder (on the right) and the one of the rangefinder (on the left).
There is also the symbol of the “Officine Galileo” engraved and painted in black.
The shutter button is located to the right in the forward position and has no thread forusing the flexible shutter. The shutter release is only active with the film inserted in
the camera.

The back occupies the entire rear part of the camera, is covered in black leather withthe engraving "Ferrania" placed in the center of the same. In the front there are thetwo round portholes of the rangefinder with the viewfinder window in the center andthe small knurled wheel for focusing the rangefinder (at the extreme left); below in thepart covered with black leather, we find the retractable mount of the lens with thefocusing system and distance scale (for an estimate focus in case of situation where
the use of the rangefinder is impossible) surmounted from the diaphragm scale usefulfor the hyperfocal calculation. On the bottom cover there is the thread for the use of
the stand, the counter (manual adjustment) and the inscription engraved on two lines,painted in black: "MADE IN ITALY - PATENT", surmounted by the serial number ofthe camera. The body of the lens, in chromed steel, carries the engraving of an arrow
and a black line that indicate the movement to be performed to extract the lens andposition it correctly for use (turn the barrel until the "clak" of the block. To retract thelens, rotate it in reverse to free it from the block and push it into the camera. The front
lens has a black frame and white painted indications: "Officine Galileo Eliog
1: 3.5f = 5cm N° 0103879". On the shutter frame we find the signs engraved andpainted in black "Officine Galileo" - "Iscus" - "Rapid". There are also the diaphragm
scale with the arrow-shaped frame for setting the working diaphragm, the reference
for setting the shutter speeds that are engraved on the mobile circular crown. On theexternal body of the shutter frame there are the lever which, when lowered, allows
you to arm the shutter and, higher up to the right, the small lever that allows theshutter to be released.
.
Technical specificationsShutter (central with 6 blades – Officine Galileo): Icsus Rapid from 1” to 1/500” andbulb “B” (B, 1”, ½”, 1/5”, 1/10”, 1/25”, 1/50”, 1/100”, 1/250”, 1/500”)
Syncro-X: with all speeds
Lens (retractile): Eliog 5cm f/3.5 (Officine Galileo)
Focusing system: coupled rangefinder, separate from the viewfinder
Viewfinder: Galilean type
Film: type 135 (Images of 15/16 x 1” 13/32 - 24x36mm.)
Exposure meter: no
Self-timer: noColors: silver body (satin brass) and black leather
Weight and size: 18.342oz. Length 0.50”, height 0.30”, depth 0.20” / 0.25” (with lensin working position)