Certo Certina (1964/1966)

At 920 grams, it's a slab of East German engineering - simple, solid, and ready to surprise.

Overview

The Certo Certina is a no-frills, fixed-lens medium format viewfinder camera built in 1966 by Certo-Kamera-Werk, a Dresden-based maker with roots going back to 1902. It was designed as a user-friendly beginner's camera. It is not a rangefinder or a precision instrument. It takes pictures on 120 film, in either 6x6 or 16-frame 4x4 format when using the internal mask. The steel body and simple mechanics suggest it will last, even if the optics lean more toward nostalgic charm than clinical sharpness.

This camera is built around the lens barrel. Nearly all the controls - focus, aperture, shutter - are mounted there. Focusing is manual, with distance markings in meters and pictograms for common subjects like portraits or groups. The lens is described as a "very simple meniskus type" achromat, which keeps costs down. It's not fast. Aperture options are limited to f/8 and f/11, and the single-speed shutter is approximately 1/60 sec on "Moment," plus Bulb for long exposures. Natural light photographers will need patience.

The removable back is secured with a rotating latch, and it also houses a switch to toggle between the two red windows - one for 6x6, one for 4x4 framing. That let users stretch a roll of 120 film further when needed. A frame advance lever replaces the knob found on its predecessor, the Certo-Phot of 1958. Flash sync is supported via a dedicated socket. The accessory shoe is cold, with no electrical connection, just a perch for mounting.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Certo-Kamera-Werk / Certo
Product type	Simple, fixed-lens medium format viewfinder camera
Production years	Introduced in 1964/1966
Film format	Uses 120 film
Picture formats	Can be used for 6x6 frames. With a 4x4 mask, can take 16 smaller pictures on 120 film
Lens type	Very simple meniskus type, achromat lens
Focusing	Adjustable focusing. Distance setting eased by symbols (icons) and distance markings in meters
Aperture settings	f/8 or f/11
Shutter	Single-speed shutter. Shutter has two settings: "M" for "Moment" (approximately 1/60) and "B" for Bulb
Flash	Flash-synchronized. Has a flash sync socket. Has an accessory shoe without any connection to flash (a cold shoe)
Film advance	Frame advance lever
Viewfinder	Big optical viewfinder
Body material	Made of steel
Back	Removable back held on via a rotating latch
Red windows	Two red windows for 4x4 and 6x6 frames. Inside the removable back there is a switch to select one of the two red windows
Weight	920 grams (about 2 pounds)

Key Features

Frame Advance Lever Instead of Knob

The Certina replaced the winding knob of the earlier Certo-Phot with a frame advance lever. The lever streamlines winding, cuts the number of turns needed and feels more modern.

Steel Body with Rotating Latch Back

The all-steel construction gives the Certina a heft that belies its beginner status. At 920 grams, it feels more like a tool than a toy. The removable back is secured by a rotating latch, which allows quick access to the film chamber. Inside, a switch selects between the two red windows - 6x6 or 4x4 - for accurate frame spacing in either format. That dual-format capability gave budget-conscious shooters some flexibility without complexity.

Manual Focus with Symbolic Distance Aids

Focusing is entirely manual, adjusted via a ring on the lens barrel. Alongside the meter markings are symbolic icons - figures representing people at various distances. These pictograms let novice photographers estimate focus without interpreting numbers. The meniskus lens won't deliver edge-to-edge sharpness, but the focusing system keeps the camera easy to pick up as an introduction to medium format.

Single-Speed Shutter with Bulb Option

The shutter offers two settings: "M" for Moment (reportedly around 1/60 sec) and "B" for Bulb. There's no range of speeds, no self-timer, no automation - just a mechanical release. That forces users to think about light and exposure, often relying on sunny-16 or similar rules. The Bulb setting allows long exposures, especially when paired with the flash sync socket,

Dual Red Windows for Format Selection

One of the Certina's more distinctive features is the dual red window system. By flipping a switch inside the back, users can align the red window with either the 6x6 or 4x4 frame counter. A single roll of 120 film yields either 12 square images or 16 smaller ones, depending on the mask used. The red windows are viewed externally, so careful winding is needed to avoid overlap or light leaks.

Historical Context

Introduced in 1964/1966, the Certo Certina came out while East German optics were balancing innovation with state-driven production constraints. Certo, by then part of the VEB Pentacon combine, had a history in folding and medium format cameras, but the Certina was a shift toward simplified, mass-market designs. It was marketed as a solid, user-friendly option for beginners. It was also sold under the name Revue Junior by Foto-Quelle, a major German retail chain, which suggests private-label distribution to reach wider audiences. The design borrows heavily from the 1958 Certo-Phot, though the frame advance lever marks a clear update.

In its time, the Certina competed not with high-end German precision but with the growing wave of plastic, lo-fi cameras that would later gain cult status. According to available documentation, it was considered a good competitor to cameras like the Holga and Lomo, which are known more for unpredictable results than technical fidelity.

Collectibility & Value

Current market listings show the Certo Certina trading between $24.67 and €75.00. Prices vary significantly based on condition and included accessories, and no original retail price has been documented. A recurring issue noted among owners is cloudiness in the viewfinder's beam-splitter. It's a common flaw in older Certo models, though not universally present. Some users report difficulty with operation, particularly in understanding the film advance and red window system without a manual. One photographer noted acquiring a second copy after the first had "major issues," which suggests unit-to-unit variability.