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Doug Eisemann
05-16-2012
08:57 AM ET (US)
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I guess if I wanted an affordable collectible camera, I became interested in the Clarus at the wrong time! I was watching that camera with 35mm lens for some time, but as the starting price was more than I wanted to pay for a camera at the moment, I dropped it. Really quite surprised to see it went so high. Then again, there is one seller that has a Clarus with additional 35mm and a buy it now of over $500 with no takers for months. (I think he actually lowered the price from over $600 at one point)
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rick
05-16-2012
06:31 AM ET (US)
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maybe he bought it to use the 35mm on his Lumix......
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Adrian Wylie
05-15-2012
08:15 PM ET (US)
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Let's see... in February a Clarus kit sold for $898, and today the camera with a 35mm lens brings in a winning bid of $516. Something in the last year has caused an upward shift in the demand for Clarus items. Could it be... dare I say it... "Clarus diot" is a genius?!! (see posting #1651)
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Scott Bilotta  05-15-2012
04:54 PM ET (US)
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Come to think of it, if a Leica can sell for nearly 3 mil...
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Scott Bilotta 05-15-2012
04:53 PM ET (US)
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REALLY? See closing price for this clean Clarus with 35mm lens and finder!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...rig_cvip=true&rt=nc
...Scott
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Scott Bilotta 05-03-2012
08:07 PM ET (US)
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I'd read that La Belle Industries bought the remaining parts and cameras when Clarus closed its doors in 1952. I believe this was mentioned in Glass, Brass & Chrome, but my copy of the book is not handy. So I've wondered if La Belle created the Wescon brand. Someone had to do some design work to create the Alphax shutter version. La Belle is known for their slide projectors and the La Belle Pal camera. Other than these products I know nothing of La Belle. And feel free to correct any misinformation I may have spewed here as this is all from memory.
I agree with Bob. The bottom mount flash is also my favorite.
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markteamster278
05-03-2012
12:05 PM ET (US)
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Thanks Bob, Do you think the Wescon was just a name change and still the same ownership? Wonder what Wescon is derived from? I noticed very old clarus parts on your collection such as Leica style shutter dial!
Thanks, Mark
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Kellys
05-03-2012
11:28 AM ET (US)
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The flash that mounts under the camera is the one I like. It is a shallow dish, polished chrome. I had to build a wood stand to display a camera with the flash attached.
The deep dish units also come in a color, sort of a maroon
Looking over my Clarus paper collection, I am not able to document the flashes other than from photos.
They seem to be called Flash Guns. I have a Clarus Accessories card announcing the Flash Gun and it is dated November 1947. Also on the card is listed the F2 lens and Sun Shade and Filters. Coming soon has listed the "wide angle lens, telephoto lens photocopy and more"
Bob Kelly
< replied-to message removed by QT >
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Kellys
05-03-2012
11:14 AM ET (US)
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One thing to check is to see if there were any bankruptcy proceedings. I have not seen any information on that, so would be interested if any had been found.
The match and mis-match of camera parts we see in Clarus are very similar to what is seen with Argus cameras. I think it my have been just using up old parts as an efficiency.
The WESCON name is also one that needs more investigation. I am not aware of any company named WESCON taking over Clarus or even being in the camera business. So if information's found about the WESCON name please send it along.
Bob Kelly
< replied-to message removed by QT >
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markteamster278
05-03-2012
10:59 AM ET (US)
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Here is my conjecture on the lack of linear progression at the end of Clarus. Suppose for purposes of this fantasy that the B series B5000 thru B8500 was actually made to satisfy Bankruptcy creditors, then after they used whatever was in the works. Would this account for the B series Brown leather clad customs and Wescons with B8500+ series numbers? The mix of Wescon and Clarus tops? As far as the 700,000 series body (in Scott's list), it might have been the idea to start numbering when the B bodies were used up but was then stopped because it was not necessary because Wescon was new owner. That could account for lots of bodies with no number and the far advanced Clarus 750,000 series lenses. (and using the 400.000 lenses left around in old inventory) Do I have too much time on my hands or what?
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markteamster278
05-03-2012
08:53 AM ET (US)
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Has anyone ever seen one of these Morton Magni-Far telephoto lens add-ons for Clarus. Was made in Minneapolis and fits over the f/2.8 lens. Fits on nicely and looks sleek on camera. The little info sheet says there was an accessory finder attachment but it is not pictured in instructions. Also, I was unaware that there were various versions of the Clarus flash. One I bought with a B6000 series camera had a much deeper bell and different box than my other one. Does anyone know how many versions were made?
thanks, mark
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Scott Bilotta 05-02-2012
11:59 PM ET (US)
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Hi Doug,
No need to peel off any covering, but I'd appreciate it if you'd email me with this information. While I haven't taken the time to update the serial number table on my Website, I'm still actively maintaining a database of all these little details. My email address is scott@vintagephoto.tv
Thanks!
Scott
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Doug Eisemann
05-02-2012
09:27 PM ET (US)
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On the subject of serial numbers and Clarus variants, is there someone who I can forward the numbers and distinguishing characteristic of the cameras I have (and possible ones in the future) to?
I generally don't try to get obsessed with cataloging serial numbers and variants whenever I collect something, as I know it will drive me nuts attempting to make sense of it, but I would gladly pass on information to anyone who is making a record of known cameras, their numbers and details etc.
I would be reluctant to peel off body covering if it is in good shape to find a number however!
Best Regards and thanks,
Doug
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markteamster278
05-02-2012
07:53 PM ET (US)
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Seems like might have been more of a piece shop than an assembly line. I suspect odd things happened from some camera examples I have and Scotts list of serial numbered cameras. I think when they came back for shutter repair they must of gotten a whole new insert or new body. I have boxes and paperwork with correct lens serial# and a camera serial# on paperwork but no serial# left on body. (this is on a couple of the early painted serial# 400,000 old series). Then there B series,(I call bankruptcy line)at the end of this group alot of cameras have no serial# and completely random lense serial#'s. I have one that is new in the box with a different style thinner leather mocha colored case (separates,not embossed). No serial on the camera and a lens #479660. It is almost as if they were using whatever was left in inventory. I would like to strip off covering to see if these late ones were even numbered anywhere? Even the leather Clarus and Wescons in the Forums old posts were B8000's.
Is this post going anywhere or just adding to Clarus confusion?
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Scott Bilotta 05-02-2012
01:13 PM ET (US)
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I just noticed this Clarus on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...e=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
It caught my eye because it seemed that the case was yellow, but after a close look at the photos I think it is actually brown.
But then I noticed something else. The leatherette is missing from the back and this reveals a number that was engraved into the metal. I have a few Claruses that are similar, but the number that is engraved matches the serial number of the camera. However, in this case the numbers are similar but not a match. They are 5417 and 5873. This makes me wonder how the cameras were assembled in the factory? Just a curiosity.
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Doug Eisemann
04-22-2012
04:03 PM ET (US)
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Hi Rick,
Thanks for the links, and I will send you an email. Your info has been very helpful, and after checking out some old posts here on this forum, I see that there are some internal photos of the Clarus mechanism that should be helpful when working on my units.
Thanks again.
Doug
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