UMK 1318 Survey Camera Head

UMK 1318 Universal Photogrammetric Camera Head, manufactured by Zeiss VEB, Germany, c.1975. Serial number 267910A. Fitted with Lamegon 8/100B Carl Zaiss Jenna DDR lens, serial number 738117. Comes in carrying case, with lens cap, leather pouch and a rubber band. The case is marked with 'UMK 117' and 'heli-cone'.

UMK 1318 Universal Photogrammetric Camera Head, manufactured by Zeiss VEB, Germany, c.1975. Serial number 267910A. Fitted with Lamegon 8/100B Carl Zaiss Jenna DDR lens, serial number 738117.

This is a rare example of a camera designed for a specific industrial application – a photogrammetric camera used for surveying, architectural, civil engineering and aerial photography. A precision instrument made by the East German branch of Zeiss in about 1975 it is a late example of a large format camera designed to use sheet film or glass plates.

This particular camera was used between 1992 and 2008 by a company based previously in Harrogate and currently in York. Specialising in terrestrial photogrammetry, they used it for various heritage mapping projects to accurately map the historic buildings to every stone by obtaining the terrestrial imageries. Some of the specific projects this camera was used were; Harlech Castle, Conway Castle, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Lincoln Cathedral, Carlisle Cathedral, York Minster, and Winchester College.