DUCATI SOGNO (DREAM) MICROCAMERA ACCESSORIES

For the Ducati Sogno microcamera, in addition to the 8 fine production lens types, numerous accessories were designed and put into production in order to create a true "system camera" as had been realized for all of the other important photographic devices that had previously appeared on the market until that time.

LENS HOODS, FILTERS AND VIEWFINDERS:

For the various lenses, LENS HOODS (OI 3401 and OI 3402), COLORED FILTERS (OF 2401 & 2402)  and SOFTENING FILTERS  (OF 2501)  were created to "soften" the images. These as well as the Close-up Lenses, Hoods & Finders we have individually listed with greater precision for each individual lens, on their own page, and the tables therein.

For some of the lenses, in order to accurately frame the desired image, it was necessary to use a separate Finder such as either:

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Alternatively, and in some cases (Lator, Luxtor & Eltor),  FINDER MASKS (TMP 3334)  were available later on, and these could be fixed to the front of the camera’s viewfinder to reduce the framed field to the applicable lens. These accessories we have also listed on the pages dedicated to the lenses.

For other accessories they included the following:

TRIPODS AND CLAMPS:

When necessary, such as when the shutter speed was less than 1/50 of a second, it was recommended to use a tripod or a stand. For the Microcamera Ducati produced three different types of such accessories:

SH 6441 – TABLE TOP TRIPOD

SH 6442 - PANORAMIC TRIPOD

SH 8407 - TABLE CLAMP

To better use the camera in case of long shutter speeds, a Flexible Shutter Release Cable (MH 5870)  and an adapter FITTING (MU 5870)  were also available to enable these remote shots.

MACRO-PHOTOGRAPHY AND REPRODUCTION ACCESSORIES:

To enable macro-photography, even from the early years were made for the normal lenses, the Vitor and other 35 mm lenses, designated  CLOSE-UP (OD 4401) and to compose correctly was also designed the appropriate VIEWFINDER MASK (OD 2401) which could be fixed in front and over of the camera’s viewfinder and rangefinder.

Later, the Lenses and Masks were sold together in a set as “EQUIPMENT FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC SHOOTING OF NEARBY OBJECTS” (OK 6406).

For the reproduction of objects or documents, initially a 4-LEG STAND (SH 6440) was produced for use with the close-up lenses.

Later, another version, the  REPRODUCTION EQUIPMENT (OK 6402)  was also put on the market, consisting of a 4-leg copy stand, a flexible shutter release cable, and 2 close-up lenses with the accompanying masks.

MICRO-PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES:

The Ducati Sogno was also designed to be used in the scientific field, and so accessories were created for use with a microscope, these were:

FITTING TUBES (TMR 2306)

FRAMER (OR 2402.1 or OR 2402.2)

There were 2 different connecting tubes and these were used to connect the camera, or the framer, to the applicable microscope size.

Later, the two accessories were sold together as EQUIPMENT FOR MICRO-PHOTOGRAPHS (OK 6401)

Around 1950, to make the use of the Dream easier with the microscope, a REFLEX DEVICE FOR MICRO-PHOTOGRAPHS (OR 4401)  was also manufactured, which was sold together with a lockable tube as REFLEX EQUIPMENT (OK 6405)

The original documentation of Ducati suggested to use the “Inquadratore” (Framer) (OR 2402)  also to evaluate more clearly the choice of the close-up lens, and the most well framed shot for the subject that you wanted tophotograph.

FLASH ACCESSORIES:

The Sogno camera was synchronized for the use of a flash only on the last model, and then only in a very small number, around 1952. But even from 1948 a SYNCHRO LAMP ES 1301 (Shutter Release Adapter) was available that could be screwed on over the shutter release button.

In 1949 a series of accessories for this magnesium photo lamp were made:

CABLE GROUP AND REFLECTOR FOR LAMP (OG 2701)

METAL REFLECTOR (OD 3402)

Together the three accessories described above were used to form the EQUIPMENT FOR FOTO-LAMP (OK 6403).

Around 1950 Ducati also produced a rather bulky electronic flash unit called FOTOELET-TRON (OK 6404).

TABLES:

LAYING TABLE (MX 1203) to calculate with greater precision the time-diaphragm pairs to be used in the realization of the images.

DEPTH OF FIELD CALCULATOR (MX 1205) to help the photographer in focusing.

ESPOSIMETRO  (Exposure Table) to help calculate exposure times.

DAYLIGHT FILM LOADERS:

One of the weaknesses of the Ducati microcameras was the need to use of special film magazines, and it was very difficult to find ready-to-use cassettes, only Ferrania had produced and sold them for a short time.

To avoid this inconvenience in the early days, Ducati was able to provide the photographic METAL FILM MAGAZINE (SC 1211) and a LARGE FILM LOADER (OI 7201) that used bulk film segments of up to 30 meters long. (rare version)

Subsequently a  SECOND FILM LOADER (OI 7202) was produced for bulk film in 5 meter lengths as well as a REPLACEMENT TANK FOR THE SECOND FILM LOADER (SC 1212). The Large Charging Box was also modified so as to be able to contain long film lengths of up to 40 meters. (more common version)

Finally, a  MINI-DAYLIGHT LOADER FOR LOADING CASSETTES by DUCATI (OI 7205) was produced, which was very economical and manageable for daylight loading of film from standard over the counter 35mm cassettes, even for hobbyists.

To load the film into the various bulk loaders it could be useful to use the PORTABLE DARK BAG (SC 4211)  (This was not needed for the daylight mini-loader.)

FILM DEVELOPMENT AND PRINTING:

Those who owned a Ducati micro-camera could use their own methods to develop the film using a special DEVELOPER TANK (OI 4201) that could be used in full light even when loading the film. A useful accessory was also the WASHING BOWL (SC 5201) that could be used not only for the washing of the film, but also for measuring and collecting the liquids necessary for the development process.

After development, the negatives obtained could be studied or viewed using the  NEGATIVE VIEWER (OD 4506).
 
For printing on paper Ducati had originally designed a  FIXED ENLARGER (OE 6201) with which it was possible to obtain prints of size 6x9 cm or 9x12 cm and subsequently also a  UNIVERSAL or AUTOMATIC ENLARGER (OE 6202)  with which it was possible to obtain prints from a minimum of 6x9 cm to a maximum size of 24x32 cm. The maximum size could be even higher by projecting the negative to a larger surface.

Using the automatic magnifier was useful, if not essential, and it was designated as the FOCUSER (OR 2406)  and could precisely adjust the focus.

PROJECTION:

In the years when the Ducati cameras were produced, the most used color film was the color reversal type (slide film). So in order to properly view the slides obtained, projection was necessary, and since 1946 Ducati had conceived and created the  PROJECTOR SOGNOCOLOR (OE 6403) for viewing the frames.

Each frame to be used in the projection had to be inserted into an appropriate  SLIDE HOLDER (SH 6447). Theslides could then be stored and ordered in a  CLASSIFICATION BOX (SC 1407).

 
BAGS (Camera Cases):

For the transport and storage of cameras and accessories, various types of cases were made:

BAG PRONTO (SC 4204)  for micro cameras with re-entrant lenses

LEATHER ENVELOPE (SC 4201)  for micro-cameras with re-entrant lenses

BELT WITH HATCH (MH 2306) to bring the microcamera to the neck without a case

ENVELOPE ACCESSORIES (SC 4205)

LEATHER CASE (SC 4210)  for Fotoelettron torch

CASE WITH FLASH ZIPPER  (C 1001)

MICROLABORATORY CASE (SC 4208)  was designed to contain, in addition to the micro-camera, numerous accessories for shooting, for supplying the film and for developing the exposed film. The suitcase therefore constitutes a micro laboratory that could be used in any location, provided that it is supplied with water, and so allows those immediate operations that an amateur photographer needed from photographing through development.

ACCESSORIES DESIGNED BUT NOT PRODUCED:


Some accessories were announced but never made, among the most interesting we can mention:

PHOTOELECTRIC CELL LIGHT METER (RX 1301), could be placed on a spare back of the camera and would have been able to turn the camera into a camera with a built-in non-coupled Light Meter (from normal 0 1946)

AUTOMATIC TIME SWITCH (ES 7202) for setting times with adjustment from 1 sec. to 1 hour (from normal 0 1946)

LEFT:

OR 2404.1 (Early Type)

RIGHT:

OR 2404.2

(Later Type)

<- OR 2403 – WIDE ANGLE FINDER

(Argon & Dugon Lenses)

OR 2404 – SPORTS FINDER ->

(Teletor, Lator, Eltor & Luxtor Lenses)

NOTE: There was also an intermediate
version of 2401.1 which is a cross
​between the two shown here.

The Ducati Sogno came with a very large number of accessories to allow for use in any situation. The below is a condensed history of what they are, when they were produced, and what they are used for.

 Acknowledgement: The above, as well as the majority of the informational pages in this Ducati Sogno section of our website, is a translation (loosely and with additional text added) by us of the the fine research and work of Mr. Donato Consonni. He is the owner/designer of the Italian Camera's website:http://bencinistory.altervista.org/ With his kind permission and help.