Weltur
The Weltur is a series of rangefinder folding cameras using 120 film, made in the 1930s by the German company Welta. The lens is unit focused, driven by a small knob at one side of the folding bed, a system which was already used in the earlier Solida model. The distance setting is visible in a small window on the interior of the folding bed. The rangefinder is coupled, and combined with the viewfinder. There is a depth of field table on the top plate, and a body release.
The Weltur first existed in a 4.5×6 version, with a black finish. Then it was released in 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 versions with a chrome rangefinder, looking like the rangefinder of the first Weltini model. The 6×6 and 6×9 versions are dual format and can also take 4.5×6 pictures, with a mask inserted in the exposure chamber and another slid in front of the viewfinder. They have two red windows on the back.
Lens/shutter combinations:
- Weltur 4.5×6 black:
- Schneider Radionar 75/2.9 & Compur
- Schneider Xenar 75/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 7.5cm/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 8cm/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
- Weltur 4.5×6 chrome:
- Schneider Xenar 7.5cm/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
- Weltur 6×6:
- Schneider Xenar 75/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 75/2.8 & Compur
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 75/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
- Weltur 6×9:
- Schneider Xenar 105/3.8 & Compur-Rapid
- Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 10.5cm/4.5 & Compur-Rapid
In all cases, the Compur shutter goes to 1/250 and the Compur-Rapid to 1/400.
Japanese advertisement for the black 4.5×6cm model
Catalogue by the Japanese retailer Photo News, April 1936. (Image rights) |
Bibliography
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.992.
- Photo News Sha. Catalogue of Welta cameras, dated April 1936. Document reproduced in this Flickr album by Rebollo_fr.
Links
- The black Weltur 4.5×6, the Weltur 6×6 and the Weltur 6×9 at Cosmonet Classic Camera
- The Weltur page at the Vintage Folding Cameras site certo6.com
- A Weltur 6×6 at Griffin Byteworks
- The Welta page at the Medium Format Megasite
- A Weltur gallery by Jason Tay at photo.net
- Weltur 6×9 at antjam65's Photo Page