Italian Ducati 35mm half-frame camera, Simplex. Known for legendary motorcycles such as the Single Desmo and 750SS, Ducati, a motorcycle manufacturer still active at the forefront today, produced this charming yet precise small camera around 1950. The Ducati catalog number is OI 6404.1. Many are captivated by its excellent exterior design.
When you hold it, you'll be enchanted by its hefty, metal-rich construction. The combination of gray leatherette and matte silver exudes a sophisticated atmosphere—true to Italian design.
The Simplex is an affordable model with a fixed lens and zone focusing. While the higher-end Ducati Sogno, which comes with a rangefinder and interchangeable lenses, features a 1/500 shutter speed, the Simplex offers up to 1/250.
You need to load film into a dedicated magazine for shooting, but enjoy the charm of this extra step in the process.
There are slight scuffs on the top cover, but overall, the camera has a clean appearance with minimal signs of use. All parts are functioning correctly. The focus has been checked using a focusing screen. Although there is some fogging in the viewfinder, the view remains clear.
The included Eter 35mm f3.5 lens has minor scuffs on the front element, but it is clear without any fogging. The camera can take 15 shots per roll. To load the film, cut a 47 cm (9-frame) segment from a full-size roll. By turning the handle of the included original DUCATI film loader approximately 12 times, you can stop at the appropriate length of around 47 cm.
The camera comes with a leather case, two magazines, and the highly prized film loader. The leather case does not have a strap. The catalog number for the loader is OI 7205.1.
Included are an article (in English) that explains the operating procedures and a copy of a Japanese article about Ducati cameras.
