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Neidig Kamerawerk was based in Plankstadt and made cameras from 1949 till about 1953. This was the Perlux range with quite a distinct body design. The first model had a fixed lens, later ones had interchangeable lenses based on the Paxette m39 mount. The cameras were also sold as DeJUR and Bower in the USA.
Neidig Perlux
The first Perlux reached the market in 1949 and was a fairly simple viewfinder camera with wind knob and body-mounted shutter release. It had the name Perlux on the shutter plate as well as on its back. It was available with a range of fixed lenses, but most commonly a Staeble Kataplast or Steinheil Cassar in Prontor-S shutter. Identical versions were sold as Bower 35 and Adox 35, with the name printed on the shutter plate. It had a small pin next to the wind knob that indicated if the shutter lock was released and the camera ready to shoot.
A Neidig Perlux with Staeble Kataplast lens in Prontor-S shutter. One of the smaller 35mm cameras out there.
Perlux rebranded as Adox 35. I am a little surprised that Adox rebranded this model, as they generally build their own cameras, whereas most rebranded cameras were distributed by photography retailers.
Neidig Perlux Ia
The Perlux Ia had lever wind, a new larger top housing and an interchangeable lens mount, the same m39 screw mount as Paxette cameras. It could thus use all lenses that were available for the Paxette range. Note that none of the Perlux models has their model number on the camera, which often leads to them being referred to by the wrong number (this one was sold as a Perlux II). The wind lever needed two strokes to cock the shutter and transport the film. It would rather unusually spring back all the way over the top of the camera.
Perlux Ia with Staeble-Kata 45mm f/2.8 lens, which appears to be the standard lens this camera was sold with. Note the peculiar wind lever.
DeJUR D-1 (Perlux Ia)
The 1952 DeJUR D-1 was a rebranded Perlux Ia, with the name DeJUR was prominently visible on front of the cameras top housing. The shutter was a Pronto, which differentiates it from the Neidig Ia, which had a Prontor-S shutter with a larger range of speeds. DeJur was an American brand of electronics and photographic equipment, and probably best known for their cine equipment. They sold a small range of rebranded consumer cameras.
A DeJUR D-1 with interchangeable Staeble-Kata 45mm f/2.8 lens.
Neidig Perlux II
The Perlux II was equipped with an uncoupled rangefinder with a distance dial mounted at the rear. It was very similar otherwise to the Perlux IIa/DeJUR D-3 below, which had a coupled rangefinder instead. Logic tells me that this model would have been sold as the DeJUR D-2, but to be fair I've never heard of one.
DeJUR D-3 (Perlux IIa)
The 1953 DeJUR D-3 was similar to the DeJUR D-1 but was equipped with a coupled rangefinder. The rangefinder and viewfinder were separate, the rangefinder provides an enlarged image for accurate focussing, the viewfinder was used for framing. The camera had therefore two eye pieces at the back. Like on the D-1, the shutter was a Pronto. It was a rebranded Perlux IIa.
A DeJUR D-3. The leatherette around the lens mount is missing, as it still needs some work, including rangefinder adjustment.
The same DeJUR D-3 here with Staeble-Telon 85mm f.5.6 lens.
DeJUR D-3 with top housing and lens mount removed. The brass pin sticking out the lens mount opening is the rangefinder link. The top housing has separate compartments for viewfinder and rangefinder.
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