Balda Baldarette (1938)
Overview
The Balda Baldarette, produced in 1938 by BALDA WERK of Dresden under Max Baldeweg, is a compact folding bed camera designed for rollfilm photography in the 5x8cm format. Marketed during a period of growing demand for portable yet capable medium format systems, the Baldarette represents a modest but thoughtful entry in Balda’s lineup of folding cameras.
One of its defining mechanical traits is the fixed-focus design, meaning users must rely on depth of field and estimation rather than manual focusing adjustments. This limitation suggests it was aimed at casual photographers who prioritized simplicity over precision. The film spool holder incorporates a distinctive sheet metal construction with perforated holes—an unusual detail that may have served both weight reduction and manufacturing efficiency. While this feature appears intentional, its long-term reliability under repeated use remains undocumented.
The Baldarette shipped with at least one of several lenses depending on configuration. The primary lens listed in manufacturer documentation is the Prima Anastigmat 1:4.5 F=105mm, a standard for the format at the time. However, alternate versions have surfaced with an 85mm Anastigmat Photar f/6.3 and even an Aplanet 85mm f/8, suggesting Balda may have used available optics across production runs or offered multiple variants. These differences imply potential inconsistencies for collectors attempting to verify originality, as no official records outline configuration options.
Despite its compactness and clever folding mechanism, the camera lacks details on key operational components: shutter speeds, aperture range, and viewfinder type are absent from all surviving documentation. This absence makes it difficult to assess exposure flexibility or usability in varied lighting conditions. There is also no mention of how film advance was implemented—whether via knob, lever, or red window—nor any known issues related to film transport or light leaks over time.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | BALDA WERK, Max Baldeweg, Dresden |
| Product type | Laufbodenkameras (folding bed camera) |
| Production years | 1938 |
| Film format | Rollfilm 5x8 cm |
| Lens | Prima Anastigmat 1:4,5 F=105mm |
| Lens | 6.3/85mm Anastigmat Photar |
| Lens (alternate model) | Aplanet 85 mm f/8 |
| Fokussierung | Fest (fixed focus) |
| Design detail | Film spool holder features a specific design with holes in the sheet metal |
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