The Camera Site

Balda- Werk, Dresden, Germany

Baldini

Baldini

Baldina,Baldinette,Baldini,Jubilette, many names but mainly similar cameras. They all take 24x36mm negatives on a 35mm. Viewfinders, shutters and lenses differ. These folders have a special charm about them, they are simple and basic, easy to use and they are very compact. At least these combinations can be quite easily found e.g. at the abay auctions.

Lens Shutter

Schneider Xenar F2.9/50mm
Schneider Radionar F2.9/50mm
Schneider Radionar F2,9/50mm
Schneider Radionar F3,5/50mm
Schneider Radionar F3,5/50mm
Balda Rigonar F3.5/50mm
Balda Baldanar F3.5/50mm
Enna Ennagon F3.5/50mm

Synchro-Compur
Compur Rapid
Prontor S
Compur S
Prontor S
Prontor SVS
Prontor S
Pronto

What is common is the well above average quality and the nice appearance. The production continued after WWII and so, some of them are made before WW2 and some after that.
Get more information about Balda cameras you should go to Mario Groleau´s excellent site about Balda and also other interesting cameras. HERE

  • Film type 35mm
  • Picture size 24x36mm
  • Weight 450g
  • Lens Schneider Kreuznach Radionar 1:3,5 /50mm, coated
  • Shutter Prontor-S
  • Shutter speed B , 1 - 1/300sec
  • Viewfinder Galilei, no parallax markings

Again a camera manufacturer with very long history. The story beguns when Max Baldeweg founded a camera factory in 1908. The production was busy until WW II changed all. Max Baldeweg lost his company to the state but he founded a new company under the Balda name in Western Germany. Also in East Germany cameras were manufactured under the same name, Balda.
As usual the models and manufacturing prosesses and machines and even the names were stolen. The East German company continued to produce cameras under the Balda name until 1951, when the name changed to "Optik Belca Werke". 1957 this company formed part of the new "VEB Kamerawerk Niedersedlitz" . (This information is from www.classic-cameras.info web Site. You have to visit there if you are interested in what really has happened.)

Hapo 66-E

Hapo 66-E (1954) Mfg. Balda Werke in Bünde

The Hapo 66-E is a 6x6 folder camera with an uncoupled rangefinder, similar to Mess Baldix. Essentially, it is a Hapo branded Mess-Baldix. My opinion is, that the three element (triplet) Haponar 1:3.5/75 lens is also rebranded Ennagon 1:3.5/75mm. Other features are a double exposure prevention and film counter. The Pronto 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200sec. shutter is more modest. It was the simpliest alternative to Mess-Baldix. Both cameras were manufactured by the Balda Kamera-Werk - Max Baldeweg Bünde in West Germany. Hapo was sold by the big West-German retailer, Photo-Porst.

All in all Hapo 66-E is a nice camera with a sharp, coated lens and it is very sturdily built. The film counter/advance knob is rather peculiar but clever. To get the next frame you turn the knob as long as it goes, then you have to reverse it and turn again for the next frame. Hapo still has an old fashioned red window on the back plate.

©2009 Reijo Lauro