History
The Mometta II is a member of the Mometta line of cameras. They were manufactured by the Hungarian Optical Works
(Magyar Optikai Művek, or MOM) in Budapest.
More to come...
Description
This cute little rangefinder camera is one of many that were inspired by the Leica. The relative uniqueness lies in the bent film path, with which a shorter, albeit somewhat fatter body was achieved.
The f/3.5 50 mm lens is permanently attached to the body. The red O on the front of the lens means that the glass is coated.
The cloth focal plane shutter is capable of speeds between 1/25th and 1/500th of a second. Time exposures are also possible by setting the shutter speed selector to the Z mark. (Z for Zeit - a German word meaning Time).
On the bottom we find two threaded holes for the tripod and a lock in between. After undoing this lock the camera back can be taken off in the usual way. (Note: N is for Nyit meaning Open.) The camera works with 35 mm film, which makes it useable even today.
The leather case has a pocket for a plastic card, which served as a notepad (or slate) to write down details of photographs taken. This feature was not uncommon with cameras of this era.
Availability
The Mometta II camera introduced above is perhaps the commonest among the Mometta types. One can come across a specimen from time to time at better second hand camera dealers. (Sister models, such as the Mometta Junior, usually only surface at auctions.) Nevertheless, they usually command a relatively high price. (At least twice as much as a Zorkij.)
Further reading:
- other cameras in my collection
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