Purma Special - Unique Gravity-Timed 127 Roll Film Art Deco Classic

Purma Special - Good Condition | Compact Film Camera | Unique Gravity-Timed 127 Roll Film Art Deco Classic

The Purma Special (S/N: Not specified) is a fascinating piece of British photographic ingenuity, celebrated for its bold Art Deco "Bakelite" design and its revolutionary gravity-controlled shutter system. Produced by Purma Cameras Ltd. between 1937 and 1951, this camera was designed to be the ultimate simplified snapshot tool. It features a fixed-focus Beck Anastigmat 2.25-inch (approx. 57mm) f/6.3 lens, optimized for the square 1.25 x 1.25 inch negatives on 127 roll film. What makes the Purma Special truly legendary is its three-speed shutter that changes based on how you hold the camera: horizontal for medium speed, vertical (shutter button up) for fast, and vertical (shutter button down) for slow. It is a tactile, mechanical marvel that remains a favorite for collectors and lomography enthusiasts alike.

Key Features

• Revolutionary gravity-operated focal plane shutter with three automatic speeds

• High-quality Beck Anastigmat 2.25-inch f/6.3 fixed-focus prime lens

• Uses 127 roll film to produce 16 square "super-slide" style exposures per roll

• Iconic Art Deco body made of high-grade black Bakelite with a sleek, curved profile

• Retractable lens barrel for a slim, pocketable "compact" form factor when not in use

• Simple "point-and-shoot" operation with no complex aperture or focus settings

• Bright integrated optical viewfinder for quick and intuitive framing

Introductory Paragraph The Purma Special is a masterpiece of functional minimalism and British quirkiness. This specific unit features the classic Beck Anastigmat glass, which provides a soft, nostalgic rendering that modern digital sensors cannot replicate. The genius of the Purma lies in its shutter: there are no dials to turn. By simply rotating the camera 90 degrees, you physically move a weight inside that changes the spring tension of the shutter curtain. Because it produces square negatives, it was a precursor to the "Instagram" aesthetic decades before the digital age. Whether you are an analog experimentalist or a collector of mid-century design, the Purma Special provides a unique and deeply mechanical connection to the history of street photography.

Condition Report Good condition. The Bakelite body is in beautiful shape, free from major cracks or deep chips, maintaining its original deep black luster. The Beck Anastigmat f/6.3 lens is optically clear, free from fungus or significant haze. The unique gravity-controlled shutter has been tested and fires at three distinct speeds depending on the camera's orientation. The retractable lens mechanism moves smoothly, and the red window on the back (for frame counting) is intact. The internal film chamber is clean and ready for a roll of 127 film.

Specialist Note "The Purma Special is one of the most 'fun' cameras ever made. What I love about this model is how it challenges your brain—you don't think about numbers, you think about how you're holding the camera. The Beck lens has a lovely, gentle character; it's sharp in the center with a beautiful, dreamy fall-off toward the corners. It’s a rugged, honest piece of British engineering that feels like a piece of sculpture in your hand. For the photographer who wants to stand out and try a completely different way of shooting, the Purma is a fantastic and very stylish choice."

What's Included

• Purma Special 127 Roll Film Camera

• Integrated Beck Anastigmat 2.25-inch f/6.3 Lens

• Original Purma Lens Cap (if available)

Technical Specifications

• Camera Type: Compact Film Camera

• Film Format: 127 Roll Film (Square 3x3cm exposures)

• Lens: Beck Anastigmat 2.25" f/6.3 (Fixed Focus)

• Shutter: Gravity-timed Metal Focal Plane (approx. 1/25s, 1/150s, 1/450s)

• Viewfinder: Fixed Optical Viewfinder

• Category: 1. Cameras ▸ Compact Film Camera

• Battery Type: None (Fully Mechanical