scorp
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Post by scorp on Nov 19, 2011 22:02:05 GMT -5
My latest find is a mystery and I could really use the help of this forum!!! This camera (see photo) is almost identical in size and design to the 1934 Baldi, except it has a later-model Prontor II shutter, and the film winder is on the top. And, it has a 3/8" tripod socket instead of 1/4". There are no logos or other markings on the camera body. Any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Scorp s1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc490/Scorp87/?action=view¤t=100_4020.jpg |
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Nov 20, 2011 4:28:24 GMT -5
I tend not to know about such things, but I'm sure someone will.  I've put the photo up on here, it'll save people having to look it up. |
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scorp
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Post by scorp on Nov 20, 2011 11:01:42 GMT -5
Thank you, daveh, I tried to paste the photo into the original message but was not successful - Scorp
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Post by Peltigera on Nov 20, 2011 12:30:53 GMT -5
It has the same f2.9 (rather than f2.8) Radionar lens as my Franka Solida III although it is clearly not one of those.
It has a 5cm lens - is it a 35mm camera?
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Post by John Farrell on Nov 20, 2011 13:56:24 GMT -5
Perhaps for 828 film?
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Nov 20, 2011 18:00:22 GMT -5
It has the same f2.9 (rather than f2.8) Radionar lens as my Franka Solida III although it is clearly not one of those. It has a 5cm lens - is it a 35mm camera? 5cm is good for either 35mm or 828 (Univex 00) roll film. Open the back and see if it was made to fit a 35mm cassette or roll film. I cannot see a rewind knob so I would guess 828. Mickey |
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scorp
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Post by scorp on Nov 20, 2011 19:07:07 GMT -5
OK, more info . . . there is no rewind knob, this camera accepts 127 roll film just like the Baldi, it even has the little film tray that pivots out to accept the new roll just like the Baldi. What's so puzzling is that it is virtually identical to the Baldi except for the position of the film advance knob and the 3/8" tripod socket. ( And the shutter which I'm started to think may have been a later replacement.) Please keep the suggestions coming, I'm stumped! Scorp
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Andrew
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Post by Andrew on Nov 20, 2011 23:52:54 GMT -5
i'd say your first assessment is on the money, thats its a Baldi (although possibly a variant sold under a different name, perhaps by Berier although thats just a stab in the dark, possibly right thou, however it could be a number of other distributors. that was common for Balda to do and for this camera in particular-reason i say that is appears void of of a Balda marking, although even that can still mean it was sold as a Balda) the film advance knob is in the correct place for the Baldi (its only the early models that had it on the bottom, later in 1930's they changed it to the top) everything else looks spot on too, to confirm its a Balda Baldi (or exact same camera sold under different name), the struts, body, door release, correct lens and shutter combination (others were available as well, but this combination was common ), it was available in both black and chrome finish (for this lens shutter combination black would be the more common variant purchased). obviously yours looks like the black finish but has come off over time, either on purpose or from wear, likely the later happy owner of a Baldi i think  cheers |
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Post by olroy2044 on Nov 21, 2011 0:33:58 GMT -5
Andrew!! Good to hear from you, my friend!
Roy
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scorp
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Post by scorp on Nov 21, 2011 9:25:50 GMT -5
Andrew, you are correct, the strut hardware is identical to my other Baldi. And the thought that this is a later model would also fit because of the Prontor II shutter, just don't understand the 3/8" tripod socket and the lack of their logo. Thanks for your help - Scorp
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Andrew
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Post by Andrew on Nov 21, 2011 19:25:46 GMT -5
Thanks Roy, ditto back to you, mate!
Scorp, yeah no doubt thats what it is , i might sound like i am sitting on the fence ,but , there's no doubt its a Baldi (or name variant)....Lack of logo was pretty common for Balda on a number of cameras and also a few other makers, a large part of Balda sales were to various distributors, leaving their own name off allowed them to sell to distributors that preferred to market them under different (as their own) names or models ...the 3/8 tripod thread is plenty large enough for the job isnt it! but again that was pretty standard for even the small 127 film cameras of the time (from europe), i have number of the little guys with 3/8" socket...cheers
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Stephen
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Still collecting.......
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Post by Stephen on Sept 2, 2013 15:18:03 GMT -5
Although posted about 3 years ago, the camera shown is a Balda, the same basic model as the Westminster Westex version I recently posted on, 127 film, Radionar lens, etc, etc., and the same fittings, which Balda manufactured in several branded and un-branded versions. Some have top wind on knob, some the Balda bottom wind on knob, but the rest remains the same.
Stephen.
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Post by Peltigera on May 31, 2015 15:48:45 GMT -5
I have just bought a Balda Baldi. Meyer Trio plan 5 cm lens and a Compur shutter. Shutter has a non-standard serial number (A076393) so I cannot date it and the lens serial number points to 1938. As noted above, it has a 3/8 inch tripod socket but has a 1/4 inch slug in it.
I have a roll of 127 film on the way to test the camera.
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Stephen
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Still collecting.......
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Post by Stephen on May 31, 2015 17:59:27 GMT -5
The Balda Baldi was made from 1935 in both 127 and 35mm versions, and both were sold under other names as well. The wind on knob appears to wander in the various versions, most Balda own label have the wind on the bottom. It appears the chassis was common to both film sizes, 35mm and 127. Welta made almost equivalent models as well.
Stephen.
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