Orion Rio

De-luxe finish

c. 1928

Orionwerk A.G.

Hannover

Germany

Lens:

f4.5, 13.5 cm Meyer Trioplan, iris diaphragm to f25. Serial no. 377314 .

Shutter:

Dial-set Compur, speeds 1 - 1/200, B, T. Serial no. 973236.

Construction:

Wood with aluminium baseboard. Finished in brown/orange leather with light brown bellows.

Format:

9 x 12 cm plates held in single metal slides.

Focusing:

Bellows to 21". Double extension. Scale to 2 metre. Infinity stop.

Attributes:

Brilliant view-finder. Spirit level.

Movements:

Rise and cross front.

Serial Number:

178246 297 .

With:

Hooded focusing screen.
3 single metal slides in pouch. Film pack adapter.
Sales ticket. Yellow filter in pouch by Lifa Augsberg. Cable release. Case.

Rio is a generic name for many cameras by Orion. This example has a de-luxe finish, covered in coloured leather and having brass fittings. Its design and construction is, though, quite modest. The front standard pulls forward and is held firm by friction, the cross front movement works in a similar way. A worm feed is fitted to the rising front.

Early Photography