Steinheil Casca I 35mm Viewfinder Camera with Culminar 5cm f/2.8 — Munich, ca. 1948
CHF 650.00
A rare and historically significant post-war German 35mm viewfinder camera by C. A. Steinheil Söhne, Munich. The Casca I was designed by Hubert Nerwin — a former Zeiss Contax engineer — and represents one of the more intriguing "what-ifs" of early Cold War German camera manufacturing. Production is believed to have run only from 1947 to 1948, reportedly curtailed by patent disputes with Ernst Leitz Wetzlar. Total combined output of the Casca I and the more sophisticated Casca II is commonly estimated at fewer than 2,000 units, making any surviving example genuinely scarce.
The camera is fitted with Steinheil's own Culminar 45mm (nominally 5cm) f/2.4 lens — a fast, compact Tessar-type formula that reflects the optical heritage Steinheil had cultivated since the 19th century. The serial number engraved on the lens barrel reads Nr. 508414, providing a useful dating anchor within the short production window. The shutter assembly visible to the left of the taking lens is characteristically offset on the Casca I body, with the finder window occupying the upper-right corner of the front panel. The entire front face is chrome-over-aluminium with black leatherette covering the grip area — a construction approach typical of German camera makers transitioning from pre-war brass-body tooling to post-war light-alloy production.
From the image the camera presents in VG+ collector condition. The chrome retains most of its original lustre with light scattered wear consistent with careful handling. The leatherette is intact and adhered across the grip panel without obvious lifting. The Culminar front element shows a fine blue anti-reflection coating bloom, suggesting the glass is clean and free of separation, though internal haze or fine cleaning marks cannot be excluded without direct inspection. A leather strap is visible alongside the body, likely contemporary though not confirmed original.
Pricing context: completed auction results on platforms such as eBay and Catawiki show Casca I bodies selling in a wide range — from roughly €200–300 for untested or cosmetically worn examples, up to €500–700 for clean, fully functional copies with confirmed shutter operation. The CHF 650 estimate here reflects a VG+ cosmetic grade while acknowledging that mechanical function has not been verified; a confirmed working example in this condition could reasonably command the upper end of the market range.
Material: Chrome-over-aluminium body, black leatherette covering, polished aluminium lens barrel
The camera is fitted with Steinheil's own Culminar 45mm (nominally 5cm) f/2.4 lens — a fast, compact Tessar-type formula that reflects the optical heritage Steinheil had cultivated since the 19th century. The serial number engraved on the lens barrel reads Nr. 508414, providing a useful dating anchor within the short production window. The shutter assembly visible to the left of the taking lens is characteristically offset on the Casca I body, with the finder window occupying the upper-right corner of the front panel. The entire front face is chrome-over-aluminium with black leatherette covering the grip area — a construction approach typical of German camera makers transitioning from pre-war brass-body tooling to post-war light-alloy production.
From the image the camera presents in VG+ collector condition. The chrome retains most of its original lustre with light scattered wear consistent with careful handling. The leatherette is intact and adhered across the grip panel without obvious lifting. The Culminar front element shows a fine blue anti-reflection coating bloom, suggesting the glass is clean and free of separation, though internal haze or fine cleaning marks cannot be excluded without direct inspection. A leather strap is visible alongside the body, likely contemporary though not confirmed original.
Pricing context: completed auction results on platforms such as eBay and Catawiki show Casca I bodies selling in a wide range — from roughly €200–300 for untested or cosmetically worn examples, up to €500–700 for clean, fully functional copies with confirmed shutter operation. The CHF 650 estimate here reflects a VG+ cosmetic grade while acknowledging that mechanical function has not been verified; a confirmed working example in this condition could reasonably command the upper end of the market range.
Material: Chrome-over-aluminium body, black leatherette covering, polished aluminium lens barrel
Condition notes
Overall VG+ (Very Good Plus). Chrome surfaces retain strong original lustre with only light scattered wear; no significant brassing or deep scratches observed. Leatherette covering is fully adhered and undamaged across the grip panel. The Culminar lens front element shows a healthy blue coating bloom; glass appears clean in the image though internal haze or fine cleaning marks cannot be confirmed without hands-on inspection. Shutter and aperture operation status not verified from images alone. A leather strap accompanies the camera — likely period-correct but not confirmed as original Steinheil-issued equipment.
steinheil
casca
casca i
culminar
35mm
viewfinder camera
german camera
post-war