Certo Dollina I (1935–1939)

It weighs 560 grams and folds down small enough for a pocket.

Overview

The Certo Dollina I isn't flashy. Certo Camera Werk built it in Dresden, Germany, as a 35mm folding viewfinder camera. It was introduced in early 1936 as the mid-range model of the first-generation Dollina series, at a time of heavy competition among German optical firms. Leica and Contax got the headlines. Certo went after the market with solid execution instead of radical innovation. The Dollina I was never meant to be a rangefinder camera, though it has a cold shoe ostensibly for one. It was a well-built, mechanically reliable tool for serious amateurs who wanted quality optics and sturdy construction without the premium price tag.

The Dollina I has a self-erecting strut-folding chassis made of sturdy metal. The mechanism snaps open with a firm press and locks securely into place. The bed is molded bakelite covered in leatherette, which dampens vibration and protects the internal frame. Some folding cameras need careful alignment before shooting. The Dollina I lets you focus in any state, open or closed. The unit focusing system is operated by a knob on the top plate and can be adjusted even when the camera is collapsed, and

Film transport moves left-to-right, with a frame counter visible on the top plate. The sprocket wheel has only three teeth, which is unusual, and a button on the front of the body engages it. That quirk demands attention during loading. To rewind, pull out the advance knob and turn it back clockwise a partial turn. It feels deliberate rather than intuitive. The shutter release sits directly on the shutter body, with no mechanical linkage to the camera body. You have to actuate it by finger on the shutter itself, which limits cable release or remote use unless adapted.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Certo Camera Werk, Dresden, Germany
Product type	35mm folding viewfinder camera
Production years	1935–1939
Lens options	Meyer Trioplan 5cm f/2.9 (3 element); Schneider Radionar 5cm f/2.9 (3 element); Schneider Xenar 5cm f/2.8 (4 element); Schneider Xenar 5cm f/2.9 (5 element); Steinheil Cassar 5cm f/2.9 (3 element); Carl Zeiss Tessar 5cm f/2.8 (4 element)
Shutter	Compur 300; reportedly speeds 1 – 1/300, B, T; some units may have Compur-Rapid 500
Focusing	Unit focusing operated by a knob on the top of the body
Viewfinder	A simple reverse-telescope, built unobtrusively into the top plate at the left side
Film transport	Left-to-right
Frame counter	On the top plate
Sprocket wheel	Has only three teeth, operated by a button on the front of the camera
Rewind release	Operated by pulling out the advance knob and turning it back clockwise a partial turn
Shutter release	On the shutter body; no mechanical linkage between the shutter and the rest of the camera
Accessory shoe	Cold shoe, ostensibly for an accessory rangefinder
Tripod bushing	On the bottom left; not the modern standard size
Weight	560gm
Chassis	Compact strut-folding, self-erecting chassis made of sturdy metal
Bed	Molded bakelite covered in leatherette

Key Features

Unit Focusing with Pre-Opening Adjustment

The Dollina I can focus while collapsed. The unit focusing system moves the entire lens assembly via a knob on the top plate, and the gearing allows adjustment regardless of the camera's folded state. A photographer can set focus to, say, 10 feet before opening the camera, then unfold and shoot. There is no interlock between the focus and folding mechanisms, which was a deliberate choice: flexibility over enforced sequence.

Self-Erecting Strut-Folding Chassis

The chassis is functional and minimal. When the release catch is pressed, the front standard rises and locks automatically, guided by twin struts that unfold in a single motion. The metal construction feels substantial, and the bakelite bed provides a rigid base that resists warping over time. Cloth-bellows models degrade with light and humidity, but the Dollina I's structure remains stable if stored properly. The self-erecting feature ensures consistent lens alignment shot after shot, which matters for image quality with lenses like the Tessar or Xenar.

Three-Tooth Sprocket Wheel with Front Button Engagement

The film advance centers on a sprocket wheel with only three teeth. The design was intended to reduce weight and complexity, but it demands precise engagement. A button on the front of the camera must be pressed to engage the sprocket with the film perforations. If it is missed, the film won't advance correctly, risking overlapping frames or jams. The system reportedly works reliably when clean and lubricated, but sources suggest it's a common point of failure if neglected. The left-to-right transport direction and the top-mounted frame counter make tracking exposures straightforward, though the counter must be reset manually after loading.

Compur 300 Shutter with Direct Release

A Compur 300 shutter is mounted on the lens panel, offering speeds from 1 second to 1/300, plus Bulb and Time settings. Some units may instead carry the Compur-Rapid 500, though documentation does not clarify whether this was a factory option or later replacement. The shutter release is on the shutter body itself and requires direct finger pressure. There is no mechanical linkage to a body-mounted release, so remote operation is limited unless an adapter is used. The speeds are accurate when serviced, but the lack of a synchronized release point can make handheld long exposures tricky. The shutter is user-serviceable but delicate, and owners are advised against disassembly without proper tools and experience.

Reverse-Telescope Viewfinder

The viewfinder is a simple reverse-telescope design, integrated into the top plate on the left side. It gives a clear, albeit small, frame for composition. It does not couple to the focusing mechanism, so what you see is not what is focused. It was rudimentary by modern standards, but typical for mid-tier 35mm cameras of the 1930s. Its placement stays clear of the accessory shoe and top plate controls.

Historical Context

The Dollina I appeared in early 1936 as part of Certo's push into the 35mm market. The base model was first simply called "Dollina." Later that year came the budget-oriented Dollina 0 and the rangefinder-equipped Dollina II, and the original model was rebranded the Dollina I to mark its place as the mid-range offering. The Dollina II is described as identical to the Dollina I except for the added rangefinder, so the two share a mechanical core. Monthly production of the Dollina I was reportedly around 30 units, which suggests limited but steady output. The series as a whole showed that Certo could compete with established names from Dresden and Wetzlar.

Collectibility & Value

Market data for the Dollina I is sparse, but available records suggest modest value. A price guide from 1990 listed it at $47.00, rising to $70.00 by 2005. One unit sold at auction for £38, including buyer's premium, which indicates continued interest at entry-level collector tiers. No specific failure modes are documented for the Dollina I, but the closely related Dollina II is known to suffer from film winding problems, particularly with the three-tooth sprocket engagement, so similar problems may affect the I. Repair is not recommended for beginners. Service notes from similar models warn that internal mechanisms are delicate and require professional handling. Given its shared construction with the II, the Dollina I likely has the same solid, precise feel noted by owners, provided it has been stored and used with care.