Balda Baldafix (Circa 1950 to after 1950)
A folding camera made in West Germany, available in dual formats and two distinct viewfinder generations.
Overview
The Balda Baldafix is a folding camera produced in West Germany starting around 1950. It was offered in two film formats: 6 x 9 and 4.5 x 6. The camera was made in multiple variants, differing in lens, shutter, and viewfinder design. Two patents from 1952 cover its film transport system and optical viewfinder for dual-format use. After WWII, Max Baldeweg resumed camera production under the Balda brand in the Federal Republic of Germany, continuing a design lineage similar to pre-war models.
Specifications
| Film format | 6 x 9 and 4.5 x 6 |
| Lens (variant 1) | Ennar f/4.5 |
| Shutter (variant 1) | Prontor-S |
| Shutter speeds (variant 1, Prontor-S) | 1 to 1/250 sec |
| Lens (variant 2) | Cassar f/6.3 |
| Shutter (variant 2) | Vario |
| Shutter speeds (variant 2, Vario) | 1/25 to 1/200 sec |
Design
The Baldafix comes in two formats: 6 x 9 and 4.5 x 6. The first generation features a foldable viewfinder made of two non-optical frames. Second generation models have a streamlined viewfinder adjustable to the negative format via a lever, which also displays the number of possible exposures in a window. On these models, the streamlined cover houses only the viewfinder and accessory shoe. The film transport system is protected by German patent DE1633996 (1952), and the optical viewfinder for dual-format use is covered by patent DE1641387 (1952).
Context
After WWII, Max Baldeweg relocated to the Federal Republic of Germany and restarted camera production under the Balda name, closely following pre-war designs. The Baldafix was succeeded by the more advanced Baldalux, which offered three formats—6 x 9, 4.5 x 6, and 6 x 6—using reducer masks and featured superior lenses and shutters. The Baldafix and Baldalux belong to the same product family. In 1953, patents were filed by Balda Kamera Werk Rudolf Grüter KG, after which the "Rudolf Grüter KG" name disappeared from subsequent patents.
Collectibility
The Balda Baldafix is considered rare in France, particularly among non-specialized garage sales.
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