Who is crazy? (Super Baldax on eBay)

[SomeDayBeyond]

Late reply, but it should be noted that the price really depends on three factors: lens model / shutter / condition. Perhaps accessories could be added as a fourth factor (case, hood).
There is only one Tessar-typelens (Ennit), and combined with the Synchro Compur it cost 240 Deutsche Mark when new. That's closer to the Agfa and Zeiss Ikon Super Isolette/Ikonta models than the average Super Baldax was.
But for a camera 60 years old, condition has become as significant.

 

[oftheherd]

Not meaning any disrespect, but I doubt that anyone here would "drive up the price on a lark", especially on an exotic cult beast like an Autorange 820, which has a pre-existing WTF-price thread on this very forum. But, if it so offends you, I shall remove my post.

--nosmok

Today another one went for a ridiculous 350UKP! Pretty bizarre amounts for the first class folder from a second rate maker with a lens that ranks somewhere at the lower end of German 2.8 Tessar clones. Who is the nut that has has been hyping them?

Well, since this has been resurrected, I will comment. I learned some 12 to 15 years ago that when something is talked up on the more popular forums, the ebay prices suddenly go up, at least for a month or two, if not longer. A camera I bought for $15.00 suddenly went up to $30.00, then beyond that. It took about 2 1/2 months for the prices to return to normal so I could get a backup.

I often send a PM to a poster here on RFF rather than hype one up or join the chorus, just to attempt to give the member a chance at one before the prices become insane.

Don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings, but I have watched it happen several times.

 

[graywolf]

My old thread resurrected???

Well, it is relevant to a lot of cameras folks here may be interested in, so it maybe worthwhile.

I never did get a Super Baldax, but did wind up with several folders. Then my health slipped a bit and I have not been doing much in the way of photography/camera stuff, although I look in here every now and then to see what is going on.

 

[hanskerensky]

Ressurected threads also act as a kind of memory ressurection 🙂

Just remembered that there still must be a Super Baldax body somewhere on my attic.
Got one from my friend Ben which aquired some NOS bodies some years ago :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35960028@N03/8127122072

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Was there a difference - apart from name - between the Baldax, Baldix and Hapo 66 cameras?

edit: guess I found the difference: the only one with a coupled rangefinder seems to be the Super Baldax, the other two, Balix and Hapo 66E have an uncoupled rangefinder.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Ressurected threads also act as a kind of memory ressurection 🙂

Just remembered that there still must be a Super Baldax body somewhere on my attic.
Got one from my friend Ben which aquired some NOS bodies some years ago :
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35960028@N03/8127122072

Just curious Hans, did you find a lens/shutter combo for it?

 

[graywolf]

Was there a difference - apart from name - between the Baldax, Baldix and Hapo 66 cameras?

edit: guess I found the difference: the only one with a coupled rangefinder seems to be the Super Baldax, the other two, Balix and Hapo 66E have an uncoupled rangefinder.

Super Baldax = coupled rangefinder, had either the cheap lens and shutter or the expensive ones. The expensive ones (2.8 Ennit & Syncro Compur) are fairly rare in the US.

Mess Baldix, Hapo 66e = uncoupled rangefinder, cheaper lens and shutter. I have a Hapo 66 with the cheapest lens & shutter, made me want the Super Baldax, but I finally settled for an Iskra (big and heavy) instead.

Baldix = no rangefinder, usually the cheapest lens and shutter.

 

[hanskerensky]

Just curious Hans, did you find a lens/shutter combo for it?

Ron, no i didn't not until now 🙁

But you never know, maybe i find a Super Baldax cheap and in dire need of a "new" body 🙂

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Super Baldax = coupled rangefinder, had either the cheap lens and shutter or the expensive ones. The expensive ones (2.8 Ennit & Syncro Compur) are fairly rare in the US.

Baldax, Hapo 66 = uncoupled rangefinder, cheaper lens and shutter. I have a Hapo 66 with the cheapest lens & shutter, made me want the Super Baldax, but I finally settled for an Iskra (big and heavy) instead.

Baldix = no rangefinder, usually the cheapest lens and shutter.

Thanks for this info!

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Ron, no i didn't not until now 🙁

But you never know, maybe i find a Super Baldax cheap and in dire need of a "new" body 🙂

Hans, may have found a Baldinar and just asked Hubertus if he has still a spare body.....

btw I'm working on a Rolleiflex project, - apart from having very nice lenses, nothing is working and it is also missing some parts. So maybe I can try my luck with your parts cabinet? It was really for the quality of the lenses that I bought the cam.

 

[hanskerensky]

Hans, may have found a Baldinar and just asked Hubertus if he has still a spare body.....

btw I'm working on a Rolleiflex project, - apart from having very nice lenses, nothing is working and it is also missing some parts. So maybe I can try my luck with you parts cabinet? It was really for the quality of the lenses that I bought the cam.

Ron, i remember Hubertus had 2 types of bodies. With Meter scales and with Feet scales. You have to watch that when you buy one.

For what type of Rolleiflex do you need parts ?

 

[kuzano]

Look at their new prices.....

Look at their new prices.....

I have two old yellowed photo catalog/mags from 1946 and 1947, so I can often look up what most of these camera's were priced for new. Not necessarily relevant, but good for a YUK!!!

I don't think a Super Baldax is worth that money, but the Super had a coupled rangefinder, usually an upscale lens, and if well kept.... perhaps. The baldax with an uncoupled rangefinder, Enna Werke lens in f3.5 generally goes for $150. It's a very good camera. Coupled rangefinders and film count mechanisms are HIGH fail points on these 40's and 50's camera's and I won't pay more for those harder to find models.

I have had four Perkeo IIs and 5 Mamiya 6 folders with much automation... too much, and most of them were quite troublesome. And over budget for the trouble they offer.

Give me ruby window film forwarding so that I am not troubled with film spacing problems with the automated film count. Best little folder I had was a Perkeo 1 with all the automation removed and the Color Skopar/80mm in Synchro Compur shutter. Never had a Perkeo II that was reliable as an everyday shooter.

There are plenty of good folders in the under $200 range if you are diligent.

I have done business with Jurgen (Certo 6) and been happy. Best camera he sold me was a regular Balda rebadged as a Hapo 66E with Enne Werke lens. Uncoupled rangefinder, and sold through Hans Porst department/camera stores in Germany when new.

Today a Certo 6.... relatively high end coupled rangefinder folder showed up locally, on Craigslist, for $400 which is likely a fair price. Built in about mid fifties, used high grade glass and this one is f2.8. This particular camera was serviced and sold by Jurgen (Certo 5) a few month's ago.

If I had the money free at this time...... welll:bang:

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Ron, i remember Hubertus had 2 types of bodies. With Meter scales and with Feet scales. You have to watch that when you buy one.

For what type of Rolleiflex do you need parts ?

Thanks I'll see if its feet or meter.

It is an early F. There are missing small parts - and one bigger part. I'll send you a list through personal message if that is ok.

 

[ZeissFan]

Balda was never the top-tier maker of cameras. They aimed squarely at the amateur segment. However, there often is no logic when it comes to eBay sales.

Remember that Nikon lens shade that went for $5,000? I don't care how rare it is, $5,000 for a lens shade seemed to me like it had entered the "crazy" territory.

However, people will pay what the market will bear - even if it doesn't make any sense to the rest of us.