super baldina?

[Pherdinand]

hello all,

does anybody know the super baldina coupled rangefinder folders (35mm)?
with xenon 50/2 lens?

any opinion on these little fellows?

 

[Pherdinand]

44 views and no reply? hm. reall, nobody knows it?
c'mon guys it's a real rangefinder 😀

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I think I casually glanced at them on Ebay once... does that count? 😉

Prices appear to be all over the place. Looks like a nice compact folding RF, similar to Retina IIs, Weltinis and Dollinas.

 

[sevo]

I've glanced over them on a few camera fairs, but never found a working one for an attractive price. Besides, I think a folder mechanism from that period is a bit too strained on a f/2.0 lens. Most of my f/2.8 or 3.5 folders already are visibly out of parallel when fully open (the Super Ikonta BX is the only exception, but that one is as heavy as a Hasselblad). And if they need stopping down to f/5.6 or beyond in any case, there is not much point beyond collectors' pride in going for a extra fast lens with its added weight and bulk.

 

[Pherdinand]

good point, sevo.
Hmm.
I'll have to think about it. I have a chance within 10 days or such to get one.

 

[batterytypehah!]

I had to remind myself what those even are but would agree with sevo. That strut arrangement doesn't look terribly solid.

If you can inspect it in person and the price is right, though, why not?

 

[shadowfox]

Never heard of this one.
Pretty interesting, I don't think I've ever seen an f/2 lens on a folder before.

As with any old folders, check the light-tightness of the bellows.

 

[Pherdinand]

hey guys.
Sorry to dig this old thread out, BUT.
I did get that pre-war folding super baldina i was talkin about. 🙂

It's a nice little beast, BUT.
1. The film wind/counter: It's a weird one. Im not sure if it is broken or i'm just doing something wrong. I got some large blanks and the pointer in the counter mechanism behaves erratic. I have the button next to the film wind knob but no extra lever (as it can be seen on some photos over the net). Am i missin something??
2. The rangefinder. It's just impossible to use 🙂 I can barely see a second image on the top, and it moves but it does not line up vertically. So if it's a pole i can "focus" on it but if it's no vertical sharp line it's impossible. Is this normal??

thx - maybe somebody has a hint before i take the beast apart 🙂