Bolta
Photavit with Compur-Rapid shutter image by Rick Soloway (Image rights) |
In 1921 Johann Bolten founded the Bolta GmbH in Nuremberg. He emigrated to the USA where he founded a second factory. His German factory began making cameras in 1935; two years later it was renamed Photavit-Werk GmbH. In 1946, Bolten returned to Germany as a US citizen and restarted the German company.
Bolta made the Boltavit and Photavit models from 1936 to the late 1950s. The early models used unperforated paper-backed 35mm film on special spools, called Bolta film. A late version of the 1950s was named Photina. A typical 1950s camera was the rollfilm TLR Photina Reflex for type No. 120 film, marketed by Sears as Tower Reflex and by Obergassner as OGA Reflex.
The company stopped its camera making in 1957 and is currently a producer of specialized plastic components for industry.
Contents
Cameras
35mm film cameras
Unless otherwise noted, these used 35mm film in special Bolta film cartridges.
Fixed lens
- Boltavit (1936) identified by external hinges
- Boltavit II (1937) identified by internal hinges.
- Photavit I (1938) same housing as Boltavit II
- Photavit II (1938)
- Photavit III (1946)
- Photavit IV (1948) advertised as "world's smallest 35mm camera"
- Photavit V (1951)
Rangerfinder, interchangeable lens
- Photavit 36 (1956-1958), used standard 35mm cartridges
Bolta roll film cameras
- Photavit (1937)
120 film cameras
- Photavit Photina (aka Sears Tower Rediflex II)
- Photavit Photina Reflex II (aka OGA-Reflex)
- Photavit Photina Reflex III (aka Sears Tower Reflex 30)
828 film cameras
- Photavit 828
Super-8 cine cameras
- Photavit Super-8 S800 (1972) manufactured by Chinon
Photos and advertisements
Photina TLR image by trembleatdawn (Image rights) |
Photavit with Prontor shutter image by Rick Soloway (Image rights) |
Photavit image by Inspiredphotos (Image rights) |
Leaflet by the British distributor Seeing Camera. (Image rights) | Photavit miniature full frame 35mm camera in original box with film loader and film cartridges, 1938-46, images by rst12. (Image rights) |
Links
In English:
- Bolta Werke, GmbH - official website
- Boltavit and Photavit cameras at Submin.com
- Photvit/Boltavit page at Classic Cameras
- Cameras at www.collection-appareils.fr