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This is a rare Baldaxette II folding rangefinder camera made by Balda in Dresden Germany between 1936 and 1938. This model was in direct competition with the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta in it’s day. This is an early model with a leather covered top plate and a depth of field table attached to it. The serial numbers on the shutter and on the lens suggests 1935/6, so I suspect this is one of the earliest made. It features a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar f/2.8 lens. This camera is generally in very good cosmetic condition and is in good working order. It will however need a general service if you intend to use the camera.
Cosmetic condition (to be read in conjunction with the photographs)
The leather on the body of the camera is complete with no scuffs or tears, showing just a few signs of normal wear and tear. The leather is a little uneven in places and there are several ‘Zeiss Bumps’ beneath the leather on the back of the camera. The chrome and nickel plated finishes are excellent throughout. The black painted surfaces are good, but with traces of paint loss on the camera door. The bellows are excellent and the interior of the camera is in very good condition.
Operational Condition
The coupled rangefinder is working but needs adjustment. The camera focusses smoothly and the rangefinder is definitely coupled, but the moving image is offset in the very small rangefinder window. I suspect the internal mirror needs adjusting. The aperture opens and closes smoothly. The camera is fitted with a Compur shutter with speeds up to 1/250th second. The shutter is functional at all speeds, but the slower speeds all seem to have the same timing. A shutter service should resolve this issue. The lens is a Schneider-Kreusnach Xenar f/2.8 with a focal length of 75mm. The lens is clear and appears to be free from fungus. The back of the camera hinges smoothly on releasing the locking clip. The camera takes 120 film. Dimensions when closed are 4.5 x 10 x 13.5cm and the camera weighs 670g.
The camera comes in an original English made leather ever ready case which is in good condition.
Overall, this is a very nice example of this well made pre-war German rangefinder – rare in the UK. With a little work it would make an excellent camera. It has not been tested with film and as with any camera of this age it would benefit from a general mechanical service and internal clean. I check all lenses for fungus as best I can, but do not guarantee that any lens is entirely fungus free. I recommend having the lens professionally cleaned if you intend to use this camera.
Due to the age of this camera it is being sold as seen without warranty.
This camera will be sent fully insured by eBay Shutl. The price you see is a contribution to this cost.
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Category: Cameras and Photography:Vintage Photography:Vintage Cameras:Rangefinder Cameras
Location: Basingstoke