Piccochic
The Piccochic is a strut-folding camera for 3x4 cm pictures on 127 film, made by Balda in Dresden, in about 1930. It is rather similar to the Korelle 3x4 by Kochmann or the 3x4 Dolly by Certo.
Like many folding cameras of the 1930s, it was available with a wide range of 5 cm lenses, from moderately-priced f/4.5 triplets including a Radionar or Trioplan, to an f/3.5 Tessar, f/2.9 Xenar or f/2.7 Makro-Plasmat (by Meyer).[1] McKeown even refers to an Elmar.[2] A similarly wide range of shutters was available, from Vario to Compur-Rapid.
Some examples have front-element focusing; others have helical focusing with a focus lever moving through a short arc on the lens board. The cited example at Westlicht, with one of the best available lenses, has studs next to the viewfinder to attach an accessory rangefinder; the two examples pictured by McKeown lack these.[1][2]
There is a folding frame finder, which erects itself when the lens is pulled out to unfold the camera. The camera has a tripod bush, and a folding table stand attached to the shutter unit, that allows it to stand on a level surface for horizontal pictures.
The Piccochic was re-badged by Birnbaum as the Embirella, and by Photo-Schaja as the Schaja-Fix.[2]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Piccochic with Meyer 5 cm f/2.7 Makro-Plasmat, Compur shutter with speeds to 1/300 second, and studs to attach an accessory rangefinder; offered at the May 2012 Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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). p106.
