A Website about Iloca Cameras and Associated Equipment
Iloca Quick-B
Iloca Quick-B
The Quick-B model shares the basic body housing with the Rapid-B, and consequently owes more of its heritage to the Rapid-B than to previous Quick or Quick-A models. However, the large film advance and rewind knobs on each side of the top plate highlight the fact that this is not one of the Rapid models. The Quick-B also inherits the built-in rangefinder from the Rapid-B. The overall design gives the camera a classic feel and appearance in line with products of that era.
In keeping with the Quick philosophy, the Quick-B uses an Ilitar lens - in this case a 50mm F2.9 (as opposed to the 50mm F2.8 Steinheil Cassar S in the Rapid-B). The Quick-B has the trusty Prontor-SV, so there is not all that much variance in specification between the two models. The Cassar lens on the Rapid-B may just edge out the Ilitar F2.9 for sharpness. However, certain Quick-B models were equipped with a 50mm Ilitar F2.8 four element unsymmetrical anastigmat lens (Tessar fashion) for superior performance.
The real choice, then, comes down to the controls. If you want a classic rangefinder style camera with large film advance and rewind knobs, then the Quick-B will fit the bill. It not only feels solid, but it performs with the classic feel of a camera from that period - you really do get to experience photography as it was during the '50's.
This model also incorporates the new focussing mechanism from the Rapid_B, achieved by moving the entire front lens assembly back and forward in relation to the film plane via a helical focussing mount (rather than the previous model's threaded rotating front element).
In other respects, the camera is a genuine upgrade from earlier Quick models. While it still uses the trusty Prontor shutter (with speeds from 1 to 1/300 sec plus B), it also offers the choice of an 'M' flash setting plus the 'V' delayed action (self timer) setting. The viewfinder image is larger than the previous Quick models, but there are no dedicated framing lines, just the perimeter of the viewfinder frame. Despite the reduced image size when compared with real life, you can still achieve reasonably accurate framing and composition, with improved focussing thanks to the newly introduced built-in rangefinder. This model has no built-in metering. The upgraded lens should give good results for a camera of this type, with its slightly longer 50mm focal length which was a popular 'standard' on cameras of the era.
All in all, this model is well-built and pleasant to use, with an upgraded specification offering significant improvements over earlier Quick models. Due to the camera's classic feel, I'm sure it would have appealed to plenty of buyers in its day. To my knowledge, this model is the last of the Iloca Quick range.
One tip for opening the back on these cameras - pull the rewind knob upwards to its full extension. Then twist slowly anti-clockwise until the springloaded mechanism releases the back. When replacing the back, make sure the red dots on the camera back and the camera body are aligned.
In keeping with the Quick philosophy, the Quick-B uses an Ilitar lens - in this case a 50mm F2.9 (as opposed to the 50mm F2.8 Steinheil Cassar S in the Rapid-B). The Quick-B has the trusty Prontor-SV, so there is not all that much variance in specification between the two models. The Cassar lens on the Rapid-B may just edge out the Ilitar F2.9 for sharpness. However, certain Quick-B models were equipped with a 50mm Ilitar F2.8 four element unsymmetrical anastigmat lens (Tessar fashion) for superior performance.
The real choice, then, comes down to the controls. If you want a classic rangefinder style camera with large film advance and rewind knobs, then the Quick-B will fit the bill. It not only feels solid, but it performs with the classic feel of a camera from that period - you really do get to experience photography as it was during the '50's.
This model also incorporates the new focussing mechanism from the Rapid_B, achieved by moving the entire front lens assembly back and forward in relation to the film plane via a helical focussing mount (rather than the previous model's threaded rotating front element).
In other respects, the camera is a genuine upgrade from earlier Quick models. While it still uses the trusty Prontor shutter (with speeds from 1 to 1/300 sec plus B), it also offers the choice of an 'M' flash setting plus the 'V' delayed action (self timer) setting. The viewfinder image is larger than the previous Quick models, but there are no dedicated framing lines, just the perimeter of the viewfinder frame. Despite the reduced image size when compared with real life, you can still achieve reasonably accurate framing and composition, with improved focussing thanks to the newly introduced built-in rangefinder. This model has no built-in metering. The upgraded lens should give good results for a camera of this type, with its slightly longer 50mm focal length which was a popular 'standard' on cameras of the era.
All in all, this model is well-built and pleasant to use, with an upgraded specification offering significant improvements over earlier Quick models. Due to the camera's classic feel, I'm sure it would have appealed to plenty of buyers in its day. To my knowledge, this model is the last of the Iloca Quick range.
One tip for opening the back on these cameras - pull the rewind knob upwards to its full extension. Then twist slowly anti-clockwise until the springloaded mechanism releases the back. When replacing the back, make sure the red dots on the camera back and the camera body are aligned.
In Summary
A classic 35mm camera, with a nice feel. Robust and well-built, the model offered a good specification at a reasonable cost. It is capable of producing good results, and is a great way to experience photography from the classic '50's era.
Specifications: Iloca Quick-B
- Camera Type: 35 mm Compact Camera
- Format: 35mm film format producing image sizes 24mm x 36mm
- Shutter: Prontor–SV with speeds 'B', 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/300 sec, with delayed action lever and M, X flash synch settings
- Lens: Jlitar 1:2.9 / 50 mm, focus range 3 feet (0.9 metre) to ∞; or Jlitar Super 1:2.8 / 50 mm Tessar Style, focus range 3 feet (0.9 metre) to ∞
- Aperture: F2.9 to F22 or F2.8 to F22 (Jlitar Super)
- Delayed Action: Approx 10 seconds (Prontor shutter model only)
- Flash Capability: Flash Contact Socket
- Frame Counter: 0 to 36
- Rangefinder: Yes
- Lightmeter: No
- Other Features: Accessory Shoe, Tripod Mount, Leather Camera Case, Instruction Manual, Box
Camera Gallery: Iloca Quick-B
