495. Ross No.5 Mark IV Binocular Spy Camera

This clandestine subminiature Tele camera in form of a Ross No. 5 Mk IV binocular, was a very robust optical instrument used by the military and had provisions for use under tropical conditions. The designer of the clandestine camera changed the optical part of the binocular from 7x50 to 10x45 and integrated two very small motorized subminiature cameras for thin base film in dedicated cassettes. The cameras, that work independently and whose parts were milled from the solid, are cleverly positioned in the light path of the Porro prism arrangements: the first of the usual three prisms was replaced by a semi-transparent mirror whose outer form and size are that of a prism. Both cameras have their own small lenses and sit in the optical axle of the binocular objectives, ideal for best photographic results. Negative format of the cameras is 8x8mm, the cassettes have some similarities with Minox cassettes, but are smaller and not interchangeable. The lamellary shutter in form of a rotating disk and the film transport are powered by two highly sophisticated clockwork motors. The rotating lamellary shutters are different and probably rendered two different exposure times (the cameras have different slit widths and different rotation speeds of the shutter), which may be an explanation for the fact that not one, but two cameras were integrated. About 100 exposures can be made with each camera, before they have to be rewound and the film cassettes changed, which demands for a removal of the prism housings. The shutters are tripped by pressing of one of the two chrome plated screw heads on the prism housings (that in the original binocular serve for flooding the binocular halves with dry air or nitrogen to prevent haze and fungus). The cameras lack the cassettes, the green outer painting seems to have been renewed at some time. All in all a superbly made clandestine military camera that was totally unknown to collectors until now. We highly suspect a military origin of this device, as the design is far too complicated and the execution of the optics and mechanics is far too professional for any amateur workshop or forger.

Buyer's Premium 20%

The buyers premium for all items exported out of EU is 20%.
For items marked with *, sold and/or shipped within the EU (European Union) the premium is 20% plus VAT (20% for cameras, lenses and accessories, 13% for photographs and 10% for books) on hammer price and premium.
For all other items (without *) sold and/or shipped within the EU (European Union) the premium is 24% (including VAT)

Das Prämium für alle Artikel, die in Drittländer exportiert werden, beträgt 20%.
Für alle Artikel, die mit einem Sternchen * gekennzeichnet sind und innerhalb der EU verkauft werden, beträgt das Prämium 20% plus Mehrwertsteuer (20% auf Kameras, Objektive und Zubehör; 13% auf Photographien und 10% auf Bücher) auf Hammerpreis und Prämium .
Für alle anderen Artikel (ohne *), die innerhalb der EU verkauft oder verschickt werden beträgt das Prämium 24% (inklusive MWSt)