The Nagel Pupille is a small marvel of German miniaturization and precision, designed in 1931 by August Nagel , one of the greatest engineers in the history of photography. Produced in only about 5,000 copies , it embodies the transition between precision craftsmanship and high-end industrialization by Kodak, which would buy the brand the following year (1932).
Viewable in Paris by appointment
3x4 cm format on 127 half-frame film (16 exposures per roll)
Compact and elegant case, smaller than contemporary 35mm cameras
Removable top cover : the viewfinder and film transport mechanism slide out as a single unit
Dual helical focusing : lens placement followed by distance adjustment via a wide black ring
Lens : Elmar 5cm f/3.5
Compur shutter - speeds up to 1/300s
Bright folding sight with dual lenses
Lens :Elmar 5cm f/3.5 - Input/output and focusing functional
Compur shutter - speeds up to 1/300s - Functional at all speeds
Namely
The name Pupille (French, German and English) perfectly symbolizes its international spirit and the finesse of its design. The model shown here demonstrates sustained use but remains a rare and refined example of pre-war photographic engineering . At the time, it could be equipped with accessories such as a Leitz Fofer rangefinder , a guarantee of the quality and prestige of the device.
