Balda – John's Cameras. A collection of interesting and old cameras.

Balda Baldi

This is a small (very small) folder from Balda. It measures 100 mm by 80 mm by 35 mm (closed) or by 85 mm (open). This is slightly smaller (by 20 mm) than the 35 mm Balda Baldina of the same date. It takes 127 film – no longer made and very difficult to getContinue reading “Balda Baldi”

Balda Super Baldina

This is my second Balda Baldina. The first is a folding Baldina from the 1930s. The Super in the name indicates that it has a coupled rangefinder. This new Baldina is from the 1950s and is not a folder but nods in that direction with a collapsible lens. This is fairly effective – it reducesContinue reading “Balda Super Baldina”

Balda Jubilette

This camera dates from the very late 1930s – the model was introduced in 1938. The camera is very similar to my Balda Baldina – the Jubilette was a cheaper option but it is still well made. The Compur shutter has a serial number that should be able to date the camera but the serial numberContinue reading “Balda Jubilette”

Balda Baldina

This is a very nice folding camera from 1930s Germany. It is one of the first cameras to use Kodak’s 35 film cassette – this was made soon after Leitz made the Leica (1925) and Zeiss Ikon the Contax (1932). It follows Kodak’s lead in producing a folding camera unlike Leitz and Zeiss Ikon whoContinue reading “Balda Baldina”

Balda Baldessa F-LK

This is a nicely designed and made cheaper camera from 1965. This camera has a number of idiosyncrasies that would quickly became second nature with use. It measures 120mm by 87mm by 70mm and weighs 441g. This is my second Balda camera, the other being a Baldina from 1935. Balda Baldessa F-LK lens: Color-Isconor f2.8Continue reading “Balda Baldessa F-LK”