Weltur

The Weltur is a series of rangefinder folding cameras using 120 film, made in the 1930s by the German company Welta. The lens is unit focused, driven by a small knob at one side of the folding bed, a system which was already used in the earlier Solida model. The distance setting is visible in a small window on the interior of the folding bed. The rangefinder is coupled, and combined with the viewfinder. There is a depth of field table on the top plate, and a body release.

The Weltur first existed in a 4.5×6 version, with a black finish. Then it was released in 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 versions with a chrome rangefinder, looking like the rangefinder of the first Weltini model. The 6×6 and 6×9 versions are dual format and can also take 4.5×6 pictures, with a mask inserted in the exposure chamber and another slid in front of the viewfinder. They have two red windows on the back.

Weltur, 4.5×6cm, chrome finish, Tessar 7.5cm f/2.8 lens, Compur-Rapid shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights)

Welta Kamerawerk Weltur (Black) 6x4,5cm, Meyer Trioplan f2,9/7,5cm Lens, Compur shutter. Images by yalluflex. (Image rights)

Welta Weltur 4.5x6, black Xenar 7.5cm f/2.8 Lens in Compur shutter image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

Lens/shutter combinations:

• Weltur 4.5×6 black:
  • Meyer Görlitz Trioplan 7.5cm f/2.9 & Compur
  • Schneider Radionar 75/2.9 & Compur
  • Schneider Xenar 7.5cm f/2.8 & Compur or Compur-Rapid
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 7.5cm f/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 8cm f/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
• Weltur 4.5×6 chrome:
  • Schneider Xenar 7.5cm f/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
• Weltur 6×6:
  • Schneider Xenar 75/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 75/2.8 & Compur
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 75/2.8 & Compur-Rapid
• Weltur 6×9:
  • Schneider Xenar 105/3.8 & Compur-Rapid
  • Carl Zeiss Tessar 10.5cm f/4.5 & Compur-Rapid

In all cases, the Compur shutter goes to 1/250 and the Compur-Rapid to 1/400.

Japanese advertisement for the black 4.5×6cm model

Catalogue by the Japanese retailer Photo News, April 1936. (Image rights)

Bibliography

• 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). P.992.
• Photo News Sha. Catalogue of Welta cameras, dated April 1936. Document reproduced in this Flickr album by Rebollo_fr.

Links

• The black Weltur 4.5×6, the Weltur 6×6 and the Weltur 6×9 at Cosmonet Classic Camera
• The Weltur page at the Vintage Folding Cameras site certo6.com
• A Weltur 6×6 at Griffin Byteworks
• A Weltur gallery by Jason Tay at photo.net
• Weltur 6×9 at Aruku Camera