Mysterious camera

[mich8261]

thank you guys for all the great info. I dropped off the camera today at Nippon PhotoClinic in NYC to have them check and align the shutter. They will also check the focus. The stitching on the hand strap is just that, stitching. But inside that stitching it does say Made in Germany.

 

[chippy]

No, the one with his finger on the shutter release! That one gives me so much hassle you wouldn't believe. Without him, the camera might take some decent pics...

Adrian

(on a more serious note, if I find the piccy from my Trioplan, I'll post it)

LOL walked right into that one eh!! that cracked me up...I must remember to drink a little when reading these posts!

Mich good luck with it, it should be a beauty when ya get it back

oh and thanks Charles,,, and Gaday!, always nice to put a name to someone

 

[FallisPhoto]

I'll post pics of the back and interior tonight. I see no trave of a name anywhere. Perhaps the leatherette was replaced at some point. I agree with the assessment that in its day this must have been a nice and expensive camera. It has the 1/500 shutter with a relatively fast lens (f/2.9) and it also has a parallax adjustment wheel for the viewfinder. From memory I think the film socket is "female". There's also a small sheet of metal that curves around to protect the film spools.

The shutter works, although I had to strain to get it to 1/500. Aperture blades all seem fine and work all the way down to f/16. The only thing I can't figure is how to focus. The front element turns (until is unscrews completely) but I am not sure what the guide is for distance. I tried testing it with the back open and placing my face where the film would be 🙂, but no luck.

Sounds to me like you have two lens elements stuck together (with dried lubricant, no doubt). Unscrew it "completely" again and put the two stuck-together elements into a bath of naptha (lighter fluid) for a few hours. If they don't unscrew after that, try warming the conatiner of naptha and submerged lens by setting it in the sun outdoors for a while. The two elements should unscrew from one another then with no problem.

It isn't like you have an Agfa/Ansco camera, with that damned green grease they used that sets up like plastic (only heat will soften it).

 

[Muggins]

For what it's worth, finally found the pics from my Welta with a Trioplan lens - this is the only one that I liked... Surprisingly good sky, given the total lack of a filter.

Adrian

 

[nice1]

BALDI 1930 TRIOPLAN CAMERA Hi,i Have An Origional 1930s Model Of Which Everyone Is Talking About,it Came From My Fathers And Was Wondering How Much One Is Worth,so I Can Place This Item Seperatly From My House Insurance Thanks !!

 

[nice1]

Baldi Camera

Baldi Camera

BALDI 1930 TRIOPLAN CAMERA Hi,i Have An Origional 1930s Model Of Which Everyone Is Talking About,it Came From My Fathers And Was Wondering How Much One Is Worth,so I Can Place This Item Seperatly From My House Insurance Thanks !!

 

[FallisPhoto]

BALDI 1930 TRIOPLAN CAMERA Hi,i Have An Origional 1930s Model Of Which Everyone Is Talking About,it Came From My Fathers And Was Wondering How Much One Is Worth,so I Can Place This Item Seperatly From My House Insurance Thanks !!

Well, you're talking about a ranging (not rangefinder) folding camera that uses defunct 127 film that you can only get from Coatia (Efke brand). It also has a Meyer Goerlitz Trioplan (a three-element lens), which was rather less than Balda's top-of-the-line. They usually sell for about $20 in average condition. You might get $50 if it has been restored or if it is in original mint condition. What's really hurting you is that 127 film thing and that it is a ranging camera (focusing by guesstimate). It isn't common as dirt, but it isn't really rare either (most days you can find one or two or three on ebay), so that doesn't really help much. Sorry.