Vrede Box Standard Menis (1950) image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)
Vrede Box is a series of medium format film box camera, manufactured by Vredeborch GmbH, Nordenham, Germany.
A large number of cameras were made for other distributors with their own name. Vrede Box models were the basis for many name variations, such as Filmor, Fodor, G-M-Box, Haaga, Helios, Hanimex, Joy-Box, Manex, Monty, N-Box, Prinz Pilot, Photopia, Regia Box, Slomexa, Texar, Union.
There are many models and versions of the Vrede Box. Sometimes the camera fronts with the names have been used indiscriminately, so a Standard has a self-timer or a Paloma has none. Early versions of the cameras has diagonally hand-strap on the top, late ones straight hand-strap.[1]. Some cameras have no model name on the front.
Aperture: f/8 and f/16, setting: via the upper pull-out tab above the shutter release, without pulling out the tab setting is on the large aperture, when pulled out, sets the small aperture w/yellow filter controlled by the small button on the lower front of the camera
Focusing: fixed focus; Focus range: 3m - inf
Shutter: instant-return self-cocking simple spring rotary shutter; Speeds: 1/30 +B; Setting : via the pull-out tab above the shutter release, when pulling out sets to B
Cocking and Shutter release lever: same, on the front left side of the camera, pressing once to downwards the lever cock and release the shutter
Cable release socket: at the corner below the cocking lever there is a bolt of safety of the shutter release
Viewfinder: two bright magnifying glass finders, on top and right sides of the camera, polished steel reflectors
Winding lever: on the right side of the camera
Back cover: hinged, w/ red window, opens by a handle on the top back side of the camera
Film loading: via a removable magazine, open the back cover, then pull out the winding handle, and then pull out the inner part of the camera, then insert the film roll to the lower plate, and place it to the upper take up spool, then insert the film magazine into the camera and pull in the winding lever, then close the back cover, wind the film until the number 1 visible in the red window
Tripod sockets: 1/4 inch, two, left and bottom sides of the camera
Buttons for hand grip on top of the camera
Body: metal, Weight: 468
Serial no. none
Vrede Box Standard Menis (1950) Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)
Vrede Box Standard Menis (named Slomexa) image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)