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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 1
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 2
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 3
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 4
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 5
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 6
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 7
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 8
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 9
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 10
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 11
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  • Zeiss Jena Werra 1 35mm film camera, 1965, unique design, full working order 12
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Description

In the years after the Second World War, when the USSR had taken control of the eastern half of Germany and shipped all the best machinery from the country's factories back home to Mother Russia, the part of the legendary Zeiss camera firm which had the misfortune to be based at Dresden in the DDR suddenly found that it only had 8% of the machinery it'd had before the Soviets came. One might have thought, then, that they'd concentrate on producing tried-and-tested basic cameras to old designs that didn't require expensive retooling and the development of new production methods. But they didn't. Instead, they developed the Werra - a totally unique camera and among the quirkiest ever designed.

First off, the top panel has only two features - the shutter button and a hotshoe. A few other controls (including the film rewind, which in this instance is a conventional fold-out lever rather than the knurled dial of earlier models - making rewinding far easier) appear on the bottom, which means the film is inserted upside down like the equally quirky (but far superior) Rollei B35. Everything else - aperture, distance scale, shutter speed and flash sync setting - is on the lens barrel.

Strangest of all, however, is the film advance, which tends to fox people who haven't seen a Werra in action before: around the barrel is a leatherette-covered aluminium ring which, when rotated clockwise, both advances the film and cocks the shutter - a feature which may well be unique to this camera and actually not a bad idea as it's very easy to do with cold, numb hands. The lens cover is clever too, doubling up as a shade (the screw-on/off cap is usually missing, but remains with the camera in this case) - a nice feature, though it does make aperture agjustment awkward.

Some of the camera's other quirks, meanwhile, aren't quite as well thought-out and have earned the Werra 1 as many haters as admirers - the aperture control is located right at the end of the barrel and, though beautifully smooth, hasn't even nearly enough resistance to twisting so that adjusting other settings or even accidentally lightly touching it will cause the aperture to change, a real pain until you get into the habit of checking before every single exposure (which in itself can be a pain, because the aperture control rotates with the distance scale so that, when photographing close objects (precisely when you're likely to want wide aperture), you can't see it. There's also the internal mechanism - switching film is slow and laborious, and it has a bad reputation for chewing film.

On the other hand, while the East German Zeiss soon fell behind West German Zeiss in terms of lens quality, their glass was still Zeiss and by far the best on offer from the other side of the Iron Curtain - this one is a Tessar 50mm with aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/16. The diaphragm is great, too, as is the leaf shutter with flash synch across the range from bulb to 1/750". Build quality, featuring plenty of gorgeous semi-matte brushed aluminium, is fantastic.

Is it a nice camera to use? Being honest, no, not really - with the exception of that clever film advance, the controls are fiddly, the ergonomics are rubbish and the results are unreliable. Yet, due to being so different to everything else, it somehow manages to be fun, and it's always interesting: you'll never use another camera quite like it, and it's a sure-fire way to start conversations with other photographers - if weird old cameras are your thing, it's a very worthy addition to your collection.

This example is a Werra 1f and dates to 1965*, one of the last models before the Werra gained a selenium light meter and, later still, a rangefinder; it's an export model (as proven by the "Q1" logo - "Erste Qualität" - symbol on the lens barrel) and is in excellent condition. As stated above, it's complete and retains its detachable shade and lens cap. The exposed aluminium has a couple of minor scratches on the back and on the film advance, but is free of dents and the leatherette coating is is unusually superb condition without peeling or rips. The film compartment is clean and free of rust, and the film advance/rewind, diaphragm, shutter and timer have been tested and is in full working order. There is no light leakage and the optics are faultless, nor is there any dust or fungus within the barrel.

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 12.5 x 8.5 x 8cm (5 x 3.4 x 3.2")

*Werras are tricky to date; however, 1965 is the only year that a model featuring max. shutter speed of 1/750" and a hotshoe but without pinstriped decoration around the viewfinder was produced. The lens serial number, 6601999, also points to this era and indicates that the lens was made circa 1964.

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice supports people in Cambridgeshire living with a life-limiting illness and those who need end-of-life care. Our services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile

We only accept payments via PayPal for items sold through eBay, or cash and credit/debit card if the item is to be collected. If paying via PayPal, please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within three working days.

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery.

Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within three working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

We use Hermes to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order.

Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which requires a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office.

International Delivery

International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping Programme.

For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme.

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

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Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its 'Outstanding' services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

More than 4,100 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients' own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Day Therapy and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £8.56 million in 2020/2021 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. £4.29 million has currently been secured from the NHS, meaning that £4.27 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.