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Nizo Heliomatic Focovario 8 mm
A further camera made by Niezoldi & Krämer G.m.b.H. Fabrik für Schmalfilmapparate, München 38 Germany appeared in the market in 1960 announced in the leaflet “Program 1960-61”, published by the company (in our collection), the camera was described as a new camera in Nizo Heliomatic series for 1960 year of the production . It was presented at International Photokina exhibition in Cologne Germany, in September 1959.
The camera is for double-eight film. The body of the camera is made of die cast aluminium alloy and nicely finished in hammer gray paint with chrome plated trimmings and the top handle identical as in Trifo model.
As in Heliomatic models, the camera has sprocket feed, five speeds and single frame, semiautomatic exposure control, frame counter dial, backwind mechanism, and the mirror shutter to take care of viewfinding.
In our collection are three cameras of this model.
Pict.1;Nizo Heliomatic 8 Focovario three cameras in our collection; © Anna Vacani
We can observe a few changes in this model of the Heliomatic cameras family since 1959.
At the time of the Focovario production some changes were applied. The main body remind the same only it was provided with a variable focal length zoom lens.
Comparing to the Heliomatic Reflex 8 model, the optical viewfinder is omitted, because viewfinding for the zoom lens is being provided by the prismatic, reflex finder. Continuous through lens reflex viewfinding shows the exact field of view and allows the lens to be focused precisely.
- The first cameras were produced with two types of lenses - Produced in Paris - P. Angenieux Paris Angenieux –Zoom f/1.8 with the focal range 9 to 36 mm.
The same design had a lens produced by Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon, but with different parameters – 1:2.8/10-40 mm zoom. That model of lens is fitted in our two cameras -prod No 6719824 and No 7178426.
 
Pict.2, 3 ;Nizo Heliomatic 8 Focovario Nr 230606 (left) and Nr 230827 ; in our collection; © Anna Vacani
- In A.C.W. October; 1959 edition, it was announced that the new lens model for the Heliomatic Focovario 8 mm camera was available in German market.
Our camera is fitted with this model – it is lens of P. Angenieux Paris F. 9 – 36 mm 1:1.4, Angenieux –Zoom Type K3; our lens has production No 818472. The zoom is adjusted by a rotating bar (Pict.4).
In the UK the camera was introduced into the market in 1960 – advertised in A.C.W. November edition. The lens in the camera was - Angenieux –Zoom f/1.8 with the focal range 9 to 36 mm. The price of the camera was £203 – 7 – 4. It was a very expensive camera. Presumable it was a reason that the camera with Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens was advertised in April 1962 for £195 6s. 1d.
- The next model of lens fitted in Focovario camera, introduced in August 1961, was lens Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon f/1.8 with 13 elements. The 8-48 mm lens is adjusted by rotating a bar, but automatic zooming is also possible with a small accessory, mounted under the lens, which brings it under push button control; the drive being taken from the camera spring. The Schneider electric power zoom attachment is working by pressing button controls adjusts zoom lens to wide angle or telephoto position.
The introduction of the lens at the International Photokina exhibition, in Cologne Germany September 1961, was minor sensation at the exposition.
The body of the camera, and its features remained the same. The price of the Focovario camera with this lens, in the UK, was predicted as £57 10s, dearer then camera with the Schneider lens 10-40 mm.
The Nizo Focovario camera model was produced up to 1964 , when the range of the new models of supper 8 cameras, were announced to the market.
- Accessories of our cameras:
- Original Nizo leather cases in gray colour; one case without pistol grip is smaller than others two with all accessories (Pict.5).
- Two pistol grips;
-The Nizo Filter box, without filters;
-Two cables release;
- A hand crank is supplied with the camera for back winding of film for a special effect.
Not any of the Nizo Heliomatic cameras are easy to buy now. They are elegant cameras, well designed and produced in a very precise technique. All elements are finished accurately. Our cameras were bought in Germany.
Serial production numbers of our cameras:
- With Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon – No 230606 and No 230827;
- with Angenieux –Zoom – No 132892.
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Pict.4;Nizo Heliomatic 8 Focovario Nr 132892; in our collection; © Anna Vacani
Pict.5;Nizo Heliomatic 8 Focovario cases; in our collection; © Anna Vacani
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Nizo Exposomat 8 mm, model “R”
The camera was produced from 1957 by Niezoldi & Krämer G.m.b.H. Fabrik für Schmalfilmapparate, München 38 Germany.
The company produced three version of this model:
- Model “R” – “The Nizo Exposomat 8 is designed for the quick change for Nizo Rapider cassette”, as we can read in Nizo Program;
- Model “M” - “M for the international Kodachrome magazine“ [produced by Kodak];
- Model T – „And T for daylight film spool. “ 
Pict 1; Nizo Exposomat 8 models R, M, T; Picture from “Nizo Program”
At the time of 1957, the cameras were priced from £59.15.0 to £ 85.12.5. Our camera was priced at £67.1.8. – In an advertisement published in “Popular Photography”, November 1958.
Photographic Blue Book – 1959 edition, priced our camera, with Rodenstock Ronar lens - £78.0.7.
Our camera is fitted into the Nizo special leather case, which helps to take close picture without the tripod. The case can be opened and camera is screwed to the case through tripod bush. This type of the case is named as ever-ready case. The price of the case was £6.8.6.
 
Pict 6; Nizo Exposomat 8 camera in the Nizo ever-ready case; ©Anna Vacani
Pict 7; Nizo Exposomat 8 camera screwed to the Nizo ever- ready case; ©Anna Vacani
Using the Nizo Exposomat 8 camera, we can take pictures in three ways with the Nizo ever-ready case; with a pistol grip or using a tripod.
Features of the camera
- The body of the camera is made of die cast aluminium alloy and nicely finished in crystalline green paint with chrome plated trimmings.
- Meter counter - In the camera is built in a meter counter and the automatic stop film of motor at the end of film run (Pict. 3 – top right).
- Film- The camera is for double-eight film, on the spools or in charger.
It is possible to use 8 mm film daylight loading, holding 25 ft (7½ meters). For complete exposure, films of this type must pass the camera twice, one half being exposed at a time.
Our camera is supplied with Nizo Rapider 8 mm cassette, Model 1 and it has to be filmed from both of side.
The camera was described, by users and salesmen’s, as Nizo Exposomat with Rapider charger (model “R”).
 
Pict 8, 9; Nizo Exposomat 8 camera with Nizo Rapider charger, both sites; ©Anna Vacani
- Filming speed: 16 and 24 pictures per second; Continuous filming can be done by depressing the release button below the lens (Pict 2 & 6). It can be filming using the cable release supplied with our camera – Pict 6. It can be taken some single pictures, as well, through cable release socket by unscrew the plaque above Nizo letters, on the front plate Pict 2 & 6.
- The spring motor for 16 or 24 f.p.s., making the camera speed suitable for sound.
- Exposure Meter - The camera has electric exposure meter built in coupled to the lens iris.
When you look through the viewfinder, you will see two pointers. If they are as on left, it indicates over exposure, if as centre, under exposure, but by moving the diaphragm lever so that both needles, as on right, your film will be correctly exposed.
- Lens – the camera is fitted with Rodenstock – Ronar lens 1:1, 9; f=12, 5 mm; prod No 3728219. The lens is coated.
The lens is connected to the adjustment arm for the light exposure – Pict 2 &6. Above the lens is a scale of aperture in use.
- Viewfinder - in the viewfinder is built in parallax correction.
Inside of the camera is fitted a film speed conversion table and just below of the viewfinder window (in the front - Pict 2) is an adjustment for film emulsion speed from 10 to 21 DIN.
Pict 10; Nizo Exposomat 8 camera with a speed conversion table; ©Anna Vacani
Accessories of the camera:
- the original leather Nizo ready case;
- cable release;
- yellow filter – u.v. 1x; Ø 20.
Production number of the camera - No A81424
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Pict 2; 3; 4; 5; Our camera Nizo Exposomat 8- pictures from all sides; ©Anna Vacani
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