Weltur

The Weltur was a series of rangefinder folding cameras using 120 film, made in the 1930s by the German company Welta. The lens was unit focused, driven by a small knob at one side of the folding bed, a system already used in the earlier Solida model. The distance setting was visible in a small window on the interior of the folding bed. The rangefinder was coupled, and combined with the viewfinder. There was 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 were dual format and could also take 4.5×6 pictures, with a mask inserted in the exposure chamber and another slid in front of the viewfinder. They had two red windows on the back.

Lens/shutter combinations:

• Weltur 4.5×6 black:
  • Schneider Radionar 75/2.9 & Compur 250
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 7.5cm/2.8 & Compur-Rapid 400
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 8cm/2.8 & Compur-Rapid 400
• Weltur 4.5×6 chrome:
  • Schneider Xenar 7.5cm/2.8 & Compur-Rapid 400
• Weltur 6×6:
  • Schneider Xenar 75/2.8 & Compur-Rapid 400
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 75/2.8 & Compur 250
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 75/2.8 & Compur-Rapid 400
• Weltur 6×9:
  • Schneider Xenar 105/3.8 & Compur-Rapid 400
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 10.5cm/4.5 & Compur-Rapid 400

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
• The Welta page at the Medium Format Megasite
• A Weltur gallery by Jason Tay at photo.net
• Weltur 6×9 at antjam65's Photo Page