Antique Goerz Tenax III Plate Camera With Zeiss Lens. Germany C.1920

Antique Goerz Tenax III plate camera, manufactured in Germany between 1912 and 1926. This is a folding 9x12 cm format model designed for professional and advanced photographers of the early twentieth century. The camera combines a robust structure with excellent mechanics, integrating top-tier components that place it among the most prestigious models of its time. It is equipped with a Compur central shutter and a Zeiss f/4.5 lens, a combination of high optical quality offering sharp images and precise exposure control. The serial number visible on the front ring (No. 256846) corresponds to production by C.P. Goerz, Berlin, prior to its integration into Zeiss Ikon, giving this piece notable historical value.

The body is made of metal covered with embossed leather, showing the name “Goerz” engraved on the side and “Tenax” on the original leather carrying strap. The black leather bellows remain intact, flexible, and light-tight. The front focusing bed retains its nickel-plated hardware in good condition, showing only minor edge wear consistent with age. The release, aperture, and shutter cocking controls function correctly; the Compur shutter speeds respond well, although they have not been timed, maintaining full mechanical operability.

The folding wire frame viewfinder, the bellows extension system, and the rack-and-pinion focusing mechanism work smoothly, allowing the camera to open and close with precision. The lacquered metal finish remains bright, with slight wear on the base and edges, without compromising structural integrity. The back retains its original hinged door with a secure metal latch.

This example includes two original 9x12 cm plate holders, both period-correct. One of them still contains an old glass negative, a remarkable historical detail that adds authenticity to the set. The holders are complete, with their red velvet interior lining well preserved and free from distortion. The insertion and locking mechanism fits perfectly in the camera body.

The Goerz Tenax III represents the transition between the artisanal era and the industrial production of precision cameras. Its design combines strength and elegance, highlighting the hand-finished details and the German engineering that characterized the Goerz company before its 1926 merger with Zeiss Ikon. Cameras like this were commonly used by studio photographers and traveling professionals who demanded reliability and image quality in a compact format.

This piece is ideal for collectors of historical cameras and for those who appreciate early twentieth-century German optical engineering. It is also perfect for display in a classic photographic studio or in a technical collection dedicated to the evolution of photography. Its excellent preservation and mechanical functionality make it a highly desirable item both aesthetically and historically.

Due to its rarity, outstanding integrity, and construction quality, this camera offers a unique opportunity to own an emblematic piece of European photographic history. Hard to find in this level of condition, it embodies all the hallmarks of a true collector’s camera.

Dimensions: 16 × 11.5 cm (6.30 × 4.53 in).

History of Goerz and the Tenax Model

The C.P. Goerz company, founded in Berlin in 1886 by Carl Paul Goerz, was one of the pioneers of German optics and photography. Originally a manufacturer of precision optical instruments, it soon expanded into the production of photographic lenses and cameras. During World War I, Goerz became a supplier of optical equipment for the German army, cementing its technical prestige. After the war, the firm resumed civilian production with high-quality models such as the Tenax series, aimed at the professional plate camera market.

The Taro Tenax III, produced between 1912 and 1926, represented an evolution in folding travel cameras. It featured an extendable bellows, precision metal mount, and fast f/4.5 lenses, designed to maximize brightness for both outdoor and indoor photography. Its Compur shutter, manufactured by Deckel, was one of the great innovations of the period thanks to its reliability and broad speed range. The 1926 merger of C.P. Goerz with other German manufacturers led to the creation of Zeiss Ikon, which inherited many of Goerz’s designs and patents.

The Tenax name continued to be used decades later by Zeiss Ikon for 35 mm cameras, though its origins trace directly back to these early plate cameras. For this reason, Goerz Tenax cameras in 9x12 cm format are now highly prized by collectors and museums alike, both for their mechanical engineering and their role in the history of pre-war German photography. We are professional antique dealers. To see more photos of this item, Please click on this link:

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