ICA Polyscop (609 - 6x13)

The Polyscop (609 - 6x13) was a medium format camera produced by the German manufacturer ICA (Internationale Camera Actiengesellschaft) between 1911 and 1926. ICA, formed in 1909 from the merger of several camera companies, was a significant player in the European camera market before eventually becoming part of Zeiss Ikon. The Polyscop featured the unusual 6x13 format, creating negatives that were 6cm by 13cm, which provided a distinctive panoramic aspect ratio compared to more common medium formats like 6x6 or 6x9. This format suggests it may have been designed for specialized applications requiring wider field of view or unique composition options.

As a product of ICA during the early 20th century, the Polyscop represents a transitional period in photography history when manufacturers were experimenting with various film formats and designs. While not particularly innovative in terms of revolutionary features, the camera's 15-year production span indicates it found a stable market segment. The 6x13 format would have required specialized handling and processing, suggesting the Polyscop may have been aimed at professional photographers or enthusiasts seeking distinctive image dimensions. The camera's appearance likely reflected typical early 20th-century medium format construction with a robust metal body, bellows for focusing, and possibly a ground glass viewing system common to cameras of that era.