A Few Ansco Prototypes

I feel the camera collecting community outside the immediate area of Binghamton, New York should be made aware of these historical treasures so the legacy of the "old" ANSCO can be preserved and appreciated. From a historical viewpoint, a company's "what ifs" or "what were they thinking" efforts are fun things to speculate about when we compare the dreams of the designers to the realities of the final production versions.

Most of the Ansco camera prototypes presented here are in the collection of the Broome County Historical Society, Binghamton, New York (BCHS). Photographs of these prototypes are identified by the initials BCHS. The remaining cameras shown are in the collection of the author and are identified by the initials WLC.

Ansco Combat (ca.1942). This is a wooden mock-up of a proposed camera for the US military. Its fluid, graceful lines seem very modern and out-of-place in the boxy 1940s. It was designed to use rollfilm or film packs. (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

Ansco Traveler (ca.1945). This wooden mock-up has nice looking lines. It seems to be designed for carrying in a pocket for trips, etc. But why put the viewfinder on the front section? (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ansco Cinemasnap (ca.1945). This is an unusual concept. The Cinemasnap camera would have taken a 3 in by 1 1/2 in image on vest pocket (127) film. An early panoramic camera? (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ansco S. L. Rediflex (ca.1949). This is a very solid looking prototype for a single lens reflex camera, possibly designed as a companion to the Ansco Automatic Reflex. The proposed new logo at the upper left on the front might be interpreted as "caution/danger another Ansco Camera." The Rediflex name shows up on a few prototypes, but eventually ended up in production on a cheap plastic TLR. (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ansco Shurflex TLR (ca.1948). This prototype has some nice design features similar to the 1954 Anscoflex II, such as filter selector switch and its overall appearance. (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ansco Unidentified Prototype. This unnamed prototype uses the body-style of the ReadyFlash with a rather complex viewfinder. It would permit viewing through the rear, top, or side (vertical). (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

 

Agfa Ansco Cine 8 (ca. 1935). As far as I know, Agfa Ansco did not market 8mm cine cameras. I don't know why. During the thirties, they sold the two models of the 16mm Cine Ansco and the Ansco-Risdon. In the late 1930s Agfa marketed the Movex 8 series of cameras. Obviously Agfa Ansco did consider the possibilities of 8mm with this prototype. (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ansco Pioneer (ca.1935). The D-shaped camera is the prototype Ansco Pioneer. It is in front of the production versions of the Agfa Chief (left) and the Ansco Pioneer. Their designs are much easier to hold. (BCHS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ansco used Raymond Loewy Associates to design cameras in the 1950s. Here are two of a series of proposed designs dated November 15, 1950 for a Rediflex camera . The one on the right has some features and the general appearance of the Anscoflex and Anscoflex II of 1954. (WLC)

 

For a look at some prototype Anscoflex IIs (click here).

 

Ansco Electra (ca.1959). This seems to be a proposed electric-eye version of the Ansco Cadet. The drawing dated November 4, 1959 was done by Hodgman-Bourke, Inc. of NYC. (WLC)

 

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