Dollina

The Dollina is a series of 35mm folding cameras produced by the German maker Certo based in Dresden. There were three generations of Dollina, each with a different body.

The first generation: Dollina O, Dollina I, Dollina II

The first model was the Dollina I, a horizontal-bed folding 35mm camera with a simple viewfinder, and the focus knob on the top plate.

The Dollina O was a cheaper version, with front lens focusing. The choice of lens / shutter for the Dollina 0 included:

• Certar 5cm f/4.5 with Automat 25-50-100-B-T shutter
• Certar 5cm f/2.9 with Compur 300

The Dollina II was a more expensive version, with a coupled rangefinder unit above the top plate. It is operated by the top focusing knob, and the viewfinder and rangefinder windows are separated. The choice of lens / shutter for the Dollina II included:

• Steinheil Cassar 5cm f/2.9 (three-element) w/Compur 300
• Schneider Radionar 5cm f/2.9 (three-element) w/Compur-Rapid 500
• Schneider Xenar 5cm f/2.8 (four-element) w/Compur-Rapid 500
• Zeiss Tessar 5cm f/2.8 (four-element) w/Compur-Rapid 500
• Schneider Xenon 5cm f/2 (six-element) w/Compur-Rapid 500

The Dollina III

The Dollina III was a high-end model, with a focusing wheel above the top plate like the previous models, and a coupled rangefinder integrated in a new body with a baroque shape. The folding bed is a flat square plate, and the two sides of the body protrude together to leave room for the lens and the rangefinder. The choice of lens and shutter for the Dollina III included:

• Schneider Xenon 5cm f/2 with Compur-Rapid 500
• Zeiss Tessar 5cm f/2.8 with Compur-Rapid 500

The Dollina III was short lived and replaced by the Super Dollina, and today it is the most uncommon of the Dollina models.

The last generation: Super Dollina, Super Dollina II

The Super Dollina replaced the Dollina III as the top of the range. It also had a coupled rangefinder integrated in the body, but this new body was more rounded and compact, similar to the Dollina I and II. The viewfinder and rangefinder windows were separated. The focusing wheel sticks out of the right side of the top plate. The Super Dollina has two thick buttons for advance and rewind, and was made at least until the war. The shutter was the Compur-Rapid 1-500. The choice of lenses for the Super Dollina included:

• Schneider Xenar 5cm f/2.8
• Zeiss Tessar 5cm f/2.8
• Schneider Xenon 5cm f/2

After World War II, it was replaced by the Super Dollina II with slim buttons for advance and rewind.