Carl Braun Camera-Werk of
Nuremberg
Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
, Germany, or Braun, as it was more commonly called, was founded as an optical production house. It is best known for its 35mm film
camera
A camera is an Optics, optical instrument that can capture an image. Most cameras can capture 2D images, with some more advanced models being able to capture 3D images. At a basic level, most cameras consist of sealed boxes (the camera body), ...
s named Paxette, and for
slide projector
A slide projector is an opto-mechanical device for showing photographic slides.
35 mm slide projectors, direct descendants of the larger-format magic lantern, first came into widespread use during the 1950s as a form of occasional home ...
s named Paximat.
History
The company was founded in 1915 under name of ''Karl Braun KG, Fabrik optischer Geräte und Metallwaren'' for the fabrication of optical appliances and metalware. In 1948, the company began producing box film cameras, in rollfilm and
35mm 35 mm may refer to:
* 135 film, a type of still photography format commonly referred to as 35 mm film
* 35 mm movie film, a type of motion picture film stock
* 35MM 35 mm may refer to:
* 135 film, a type of still photography format ...
format. It changed its name to ''Carl Braun Camera-Werke''. Its best known model was the Paxette series of 35mm
rangefinder
A rangefinder (also rangefinding telemeter, depending on the context) is a device used to measure distances to remote objects. Originally optical devices used in surveying, they soon found applications in other fields, such as photography an ...
cameras. Most of the company's cameras were consumer-level models, though the company did briefly produce several more advanced 35mm
rangefinder
A rangefinder (also rangefinding telemeter, depending on the context) is a device used to measure distances to remote objects. Originally optical devices used in surveying, they soon found applications in other fields, such as photography an ...
designs as well as an interesting 35mm
single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system (hence "reflex" from the mirror's reflection) that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. With twin le ...
line with leaf shutters, the Paxette Reflex (Automatic?)/AMC M335 Reflex. The most advanced of Braun's rangefinders and SLRs had interchangeable lenses.
Braun ceased making cameras in the 1960s, in part because of high labour costs and a resultant inability to compete in the consumer level camera market, a market increasingly supplied by Japanese firms.
Parallel to the camera manufacturing began the development and construction of film slide projectors. In 1955, under the ''Carl Braun Camera-Werk Nürnberg'' label, the company introduced one of the first semi-automatic slide projectors with a tray magazine to the consumer market named ''Paximat''. Other innovations included wired or wireless remote control, automatic focus, brighter halogen lamps, and variable brightness control. Since 1955, about 4 million slide projectors have been built and sold in 120 countries around the world under the names ''Paximat'' or ''Novamat''.
Although the company was selling more than four million units by 1997, Braun's overall profitability declined precipitously, and in 2000, the company ceased trading. It was reorganized the following year.
In addition to the successful introduction of digital cameras and accessories, in 2003 Braun introduced the Braun Multimag SlideScan 3600 digital scanner for the consumer market. This scanner was based on the Paximat Multimag series of slide projectors, and enables the scanning of slides directly from six different slide trays. New Braun scanners utilize Digital ICE technology.
In 2004, Braun changed its name again. It is now known as ''Braun Photo Technik
GmbH'', and continues to sell and/or manufacture slide projectors, other optical goods, and optical business applications.
[{{Cite web, url=http://www.braun-phototechnik.de/braunphototechnikDe/De/produkte.htm, title = BRAUN Photo Technik Germany – Since 1915]
Gallery
Image:Braun Paxina.jpg, Braun Paxina 6x6
File:Braun Norca Super.jpg, Braun Norca Super
Image:Braun Super Paxette I.jpg, Braun Super Paxette I
Image:Braun Paximat electric IMGP4491 wp.jpg, Braun Paximat electric
References
External links
Reinventing The Camera Experience
Braun
Braun is a common surname, originating from the German word for the color brown. The name is the 22nd most common family name in Germany. Many German emigrants to the United States also changed their name to ''Brown'' (''see Brown (surname)'') ...
Braun
Braun is a common surname, originating from the German word for the color brown. The name is the 22nd most common family name in Germany. Many German emigrants to the United States also changed their name to ''Brown'' (''see Brown (surname)'') ...