Baldessa

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Baldessa, c.1964 Isco-Göttingen Color-Isconar, 45mm/2.8 in Prontor 125 shutter

Baldessa

The Baldessa is a range of comparatively cheaply-made 35mm viewfinder and rangefinder cameras produced by Balda in Germany from c.1957 to the late 1960s. They have an unusual folding film advance key in the base - requiring a 180° 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. Early models have a removable back; later examples are hinged.

Baldessa base, showing winder (unfolded) and rewind crank

Baldessa I

Baldessa I, 1958 model with Baldanar lens in Vario 25/50/200+B shutter

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

Baldessa 1B, c.1958

The Baldessa 1B has an added uncoupled selenium light meter and coupled rangefinder.

Baldessa 1B base winder stowed;film reminder around tripod bush

Baldessa F

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

Baldessa LK, LF & F-LK

The 'L' models include a light meter; the LK's is coupled, the LF has an uncoupled meter and the flash-holder; the F-LK has flash-holder and coupled meter.

Sources

• Baldessa I on shutterbug.net
• Baldessa manual at Mike Butkus' site
• Video closeups of a Baldessa by Izzy & Ipsy
• Balda cameras including several Baldessas on Sylvain Halgand's Collection d'Appareils Photo Anciens
• Balda cameras at Collection G.Even
• Baldessa I review on ThorleyPhotographics