Beira

The Beika and Beira are 35mm folding cameras made by Beier in the 1930s. On all the models, the square front standard is mounted on scissor struts, and there is a focusing lever, moving the lens and shutter unit as a whole.

The camera was released in 1931 as the Beika. It has a folding optical viewfinder, and takes 3×4cm exposures on unperforated film, loaded in special cassettes. (When loaded with perforated film, the usable exposure format is about 24×40mm.)

The name was changed to Beira in 1932. The reason for that change is not known for sure, but maybe "Beika" sounded too close to "Leica". The camera was sold by Birnbaum as the Birelle.

The Beira Ia has a tubular viewfinder instead of the folding unit. The camera was further modified ca. 1933 or 1934, for 24×36mm exposure format. The new model can take a pair of standard film cassettes, but has no rewind knob.

Beira II, Cassar 5cm f/2.9 lens, Compur-Rapid shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights)

In 1935, a coupled-rangefinder version was offered, incorporating the Okula prismatic rangefinder made by Ernst Krauss in Jena. With that equipment, the camera was called Beira Okula or Beira II.

Beira II, Xenar 5cm f/2.9 lens, Compur shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights)

The Beira Ia and Beira II versions were also rebadged as the Kreca, sold by Kremp.

Kreca, tubular viewfinder, Kreca 5cm f/2.9 lens with no serial number, Compur shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights)

The Beira Okula was still listed in a Beier catalogue dated Spring 1941, then the production of the camera went to a halt during World War II.

Bibliography

• Kadlubek, Günther, and Beier, Wolfgang. Kameras um Dresden herum. Beier, Pouva, Welta & Co. Stuttgart: Lindemanns Verlag, 2003.
• 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). Pp.116 and 561.