Difference between revisions of "Baldessa"

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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24225011@N04/3087410737/in/pool-camerapedia
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/awcam/3087410737/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/3087410737_13779b48e5.jpg
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/3087410737_13779b48e5_n.jpg
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|image_text= Baldessa, c.1964<br>Isco-G&ouml;ttingen Color-Isconar,<br>45mm/2.8 in [[Prontor]] 125 shutter
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|image_text= Baldessa, c.1964<br>[[Isco|Isco-G&ouml;ttingen]] Color-Isconar,<br>45mm/2.8 in [[Prontor]] 125 shutter
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|image_by=AWCam
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The '''Baldessa''' is a range of comparatively cheaply-made [[35mm]] [[viewfinder camera|viewfinder]] and [[rangefinder camera]]s produced by [[Balda]] in Germany from c.1957 to the late 1960s<ref>{{McKeown}}, pp.96-7</ref>. They have an unusual folding [[film advance]] key in the base - requiring a 180&deg; turn, along with a flip-out rewind crank. On the simpler models, this along with the front-mounted shutter release and the frame counter to the left of the viewfinder [[ocular]] leaves the top plate empty except for the accessory shoe.
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The '''Baldessa''' is a range of modestly priced [[35mm]] [[viewfinder camera|viewfinder]] and [[rangefinder camera]]s produced by [[Balda]] in Germany from c.1957 to the late 1960s<ref>{{McKeown}}, pp.96-7</ref>.  
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__TOC__
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Baldessas have an unusual folding [[film advance]] key in the base - requiring a 180&deg; turn, along with a spring-out rewind crank. On the simpler models, this along with the front-mounted shutter release and the frame counter to the left of the viewfinder [[ocular]] leaves the top plate empty except for the accessory shoe. Early models have a removable back; later examples are hinged.
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24225011@N04/3087411143/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/awcam/3087411143/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/3087411143_e8e3631105_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/3087411143_e8e3631105_m.jpg
|image_align= right
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|image_align= left
 
|image_text= Baldessa base, showing winder<br>(unfolded) and rewind crank
 
|image_text= Baldessa base, showing winder<br>(unfolded) and rewind crank
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|image_by=AWCam
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{{brl}}
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===Baldessa I===
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3279106640_e3b8e8e393_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Baldessa I, 1958 model with Baldanar<br>lens in Vario 25/50/200+B shutter
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|image_by=AWCam
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The '''Baldessa I''' was introduced in 1957 with a [[Isco|Westanar]] 45/2.8 lens in a [[Prontor]]-SVS shuttter. It was updated in 1958 to have a bright-line finder, with a second window to illuminate the frame. This model has a Baldanar, [[Isco|Color-Isconar]] or Westanar 45mm/f2.8 lens in a 3-speed [[Vario]], [[Pronto]], Prontor 125 or Prontor-SVS shutter.  The base has a film reminder fitted around the tripod bush, and the rewind release is angled out to form a foot for standing on a horizontal surface.
 
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/chi_bellami/8251015355/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8251015355_ddcd5bfe81_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Baldessa 1a
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|image_by= Chi Bellami
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|image_rights= nc
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}}
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===Baldessa 1a===
 
===Baldessa 1a===
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The Baldessa 1a was introduced in 1958, and adds a [[rangefinder (device)|coupled rangefinder]] to the Baldessa I design. It was available with a Color-Westanar or Baldanar 45/2.8 lens in a Prontor-SVS shutter.
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{{br}}
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=== Baldessa 1b===
 
=== Baldessa 1b===
 
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemphoto/256564420/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemphoto/256564420/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/256564420_85cc351211.jpg
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|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/256564420_85cc351211_n.jpg
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|image_text= Baldessa 1B, c.1958
 
|image_text= Baldessa 1B, c.1958
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|image_by=SteveMPhoto
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|image_rights=nc
 
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The '''Baldessa 1B''' has an added uncoupled [[selenium meter|selenium light meter]] and coupled [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]].
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The '''Baldessa 1B''' has an added uncoupled [[selenium meter|selenium light meter]] and coupled [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]]. Design was by [[Karl-Heinz Lange]].
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemphoto/256564370/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemphoto/256564370/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/256564370_68e5839d47_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/256564370_68e5839d47_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Baldessa 1B base<br>winder stowed;film<br>reminder around tripod bush
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|image_by=SteveMPhoto
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|image_rights=nc
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}}
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{{brl}}
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===Baldessa F===
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/64947908@N05/16517485597/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/16517485597_baba569581_n.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
|image_text= Baldessa 1B base<br>winder stowed
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|image_text= Baldessa-F
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|image_by= OZBOX
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|image_rights=  with permission
 
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The Baldessa F models have a [[flashbulbs|flashbulb]] holder built-in to the top plate.
 
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=== Sources ===
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===Baldessa LK, LF, F-LK, RF, R-LK & RF-LK===
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The 'L' models include a [[light meter]]; the LK's is coupled, the F means that there is AG-1 bulb flash-holder; the 'R' models have a rangefinder. The RF-LK has a rangefinder, a flash-holder and a coupled lightmeter.
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==Notes==
 
<references />
 
<references />
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== Sources ==
 
* [http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/classic_historical/0505classic/index.html Baldessa I] on shutterbug.net
 
* [http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/classic_historical/0505classic/index.html Baldessa I] on shutterbug.net
 
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/balda/baldessa/baldessa.htm Baldessa manual] at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Mike Butkus' site]
 
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/balda/baldessa/baldessa.htm Baldessa manual] at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Mike Butkus' site]
 
* [http://www.vimeo.com/2234551 Video closeups of a Baldessa] by Izzy & Ipsy
 
* [http://www.vimeo.com/2234551 Video closeups of a Baldessa] by Izzy & Ipsy
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/balda/html/liste.php Balda cameras] including several Baldessas on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/ Sylvain Halgand's Collection d'Appareils Photo Anciens]
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* [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/index.php?/category/164 Balda cameras] at [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/ Collection G.Even] (in French)
* [http://photo.even.free.fr/col_app.php?type=balda Balda cameras] at [http://photo.even.free.fr/ Collection G.Even]
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* [http://www.thorleyphotographics.com/?page_id=48 Baldessa I review] on [http://www.thorleyphotographics.com/ ThorleyPhotographics]
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== Links ==
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* [http://butkus.org/chinon/balda/baldessa/baldessa.htm Baldessa PDF instruction manual] from [http://butkus.org/chinon/ OrphanCameras.com]
  
 
[[Category: German 35mm viewfinder]]
 
[[Category: German 35mm viewfinder]]

Revision as of 06:02, 13 July 2020

The Baldessa is a range of modestly priced 35mm viewfinder and rangefinder cameras produced by Balda in Germany from c.1957 to the late 1960s[1].


Baldessas have an unusual folding film advance key in the base - requiring a 180° turn, along with a spring-out rewind crank. On the simpler models, this along with the front-mounted shutter release and the frame counter to the left of the viewfinder ocular leaves the top plate empty except for the accessory shoe. Early models have a removable back; later examples are hinged.



Baldessa I

The Baldessa I was introduced in 1957 with a Westanar 45/2.8 lens in a Prontor-SVS shuttter. It was updated in 1958 to have a bright-line finder, with a second window to illuminate the frame. This model has a Baldanar, Color-Isconar or Westanar 45mm/f2.8 lens in a 3-speed Vario, Pronto, Prontor 125 or Prontor-SVS shutter. The base has a film reminder fitted around the tripod bush, and the rewind release is angled out to form a foot for standing on a horizontal surface.

Baldessa 1a

The Baldessa 1a was introduced in 1958, and adds a coupled rangefinder to the Baldessa I design. It was available with a Color-Westanar or Baldanar 45/2.8 lens in a Prontor-SVS shutter.

Baldessa 1b

The Baldessa 1B has an added uncoupled selenium light meter and coupled rangefinder. Design was by Karl-Heinz Lange.


Baldessa F

The Baldessa F models have a flashbulb holder built-in to the top plate.

Baldessa LK, LF, F-LK, RF, R-LK & RF-LK

The 'L' models include a light meter; the LK's is coupled, the F means that there is AG-1 bulb flash-holder; the 'R' models have a rangefinder. The RF-LK has a rangefinder, a flash-holder and a coupled lightmeter.

Notes

  1. McKeown, pp.96-7

Sources

Links