CERTO DOLLINA
The Certo Dollina is a compact 35mm folding camera made by the German company Certo between 1935 and 1940. It was built for amateur photographers who wanted a portable camera with a Tessar-type lens in a streamlined folding body.
Overview
The Dollina came out while 35mm camera design was changing fast. Certo-Cameras GmbH of Dresden made it. The company had built plate and roll-film cameras since the early 20th century, and the Dollina was its move into the growing 35mm market. It was sold as a premium compact folder for amateur enthusiasts who wanted portability without giving up optical performance. The design stressed mechanical reliability and ease of use. A rigid folding strut system protected the lens and shutter assembly when closed and let the camera open up quickly.
The camera was part of a 1930s trend toward smaller, more convenient cameras, and it competed with the Kodak Retina and the Wirgin Edinex. Unlike many of its peers, the Dollina kept a traditional cloth focal-plane shutter, a hallmark of Certo's engineering heritage. It was typically fitted with a 45mm f/3.5 Certo Doppelinar (a Tessar-type lens). Some models had a Trioplan, but never a Zeiss Tessar. , a significant advantage over scale-focus competitors. The top plate held both a viewfinder and a rangefinder window, with a combined eyepiece for alignment. The camera used standard 135 cassettes and advanced the film with a manual lever, typical of the era.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Type | Folding viewfinder/rangefinder camera |
| Film Format | 35mm (135 cartridge) |
| Years Produced | 1935–1940 |
| Lens Mount | Fixed lens (non-interchangeable), shutter-mounted |
| Shutter | Leaf shutter only (typically Derval or Compur-Rapid); speeds from 1 sec to 1/300 sec, B |
| Aperture Range | f/3.5 to f/16 (Doppelinar 45mm) |
| Metering | None (uncoupled; exposure determined manually) |
| Exposure Modes | Manual only |
| Viewfinder | Optical viewfinder with scale focusing; no rangefinder |
| Focusing | Manual via scale focusing only |
| Dimensions | Approx. 105 x 60 x 35 mm (closed); weight ~450 g (depending on lens/shutter combination) |
| Flash Sync | Cold shoe and PC terminal (on Compur-shutter models) |
Key Features
- High-quality 45mm Tessar lens: Delivers sharp, contrast-rich images with minimal aberration, a benchmark of 1930s optical design.
- Dual shutter options: Available with either a durable cloth focal-plane shutter or the more advanced Compur-Rapid leaf shutter, offering speeds up to 1/300 sec.
- Compact folding design: Collapsible strut frame allows for portability while maintaining rigidity during use.
- Integrated rangefinder (later models): Coupled focusing system enables precise manual focusing, a rarity in compact folders of this class.
- Standard 135 film compatibility: Uses readily available 35mm cassettes, aligning with the emerging consumer film standard.
Historical Context
The Certo Dollina was launched in the mid-1930s, when 35mm film was moving from a novelty to a dominant format. The success of the Leica and the introduction of the Kodak Retina in 1934 created a growing market in Europe for compact, high-quality 35mm cameras. Certo was known for large-format and roll-film cameras like the Certo Reflex, and it wanted a share of this segment. The Dollina was developed as a positioned as a mid-tier compact 35mm camera. It was more affordable than Leica or Contax but well built for its class, with better optics and build quality than budget models.
The Dollina competed directly with cameras such as the Wirgin Edinex, the Adox Adrette, and early Zeiss Ikon models. Its Tessar lens, often sourced directly from Zeiss, gave it strong optical credibility. But Certo had limited international distribution, and the onset of World War II in 1939 curtailed production and export. By 1940, manufacturing had ceased because of wartime material restrictions and the bombing of Dresden-based facilities. The Dollina was therefore made in relatively small numbers, and it is more obscure than its more widely marketed contemporaries.
Collectibility & Value
The Certo Dollina is a rare and increasingly sought-after camera among collectors of pre-war German photography equipment. The production run was limited and manufacturing infrastructure was destroyed during WWII, so surviving examples in working condition are uncommon. A Compur shutter adds slightly to the value. All lenses were Certo-made, with . Cameras with the coupled rangefinder are particularly prized, as they are the final and most advanced version of the Dollina line.
Before buying a Dollina, check the bellows for pinholes or deterioration, a common problem in folding cameras of this era. Test the shutter at all speeds. The strut hinges should be tight, with no lateral play, and the rangefinder alignment must be accurate if present. Original leather and chrome plating significantly affect condition grading. Shutter curtain decay is a frequent problem in focal-plane models, and it is hard to repair because the mechanism is complex. Dried lubricant and sticking aperture blades are also typical after long storage. Parts are scarce and the cameras are old, so professional servicing by a specialist in vintage German cameras is recommended before regular use.
Similar Cameras
- Kodak Retina I (Type 117) – A direct competitor with similar form factor and 35mm folding design, introduced in 1934.
- Wirgin Edinex 35 – German-made 35mm folder with interchangeable lenses and high build quality.
- Adox Adrette II – Compact 35mm folder featuring a Derval shutter and 45mm lens, produced in the same era.
- ZiM 35 – East German postwar folder with similar layout, though technically simpler.
- Nikon I – Early Nikon rangefinder, though more advanced and larger, shared the 35mm format and precision engineering ethos.
Repair & Maintenance
The Certo Dollina needs no batteries, since it is fully mechanical. Shutter maintenance is critical. The cloth focal-plane shutter (on non-Compur models) is sensitive to moisture and age, and replacing the curtain is a complex job that takes specialized skills. The Compur-Rapid shutter is more durable, but it often has sticky blades or inconsistent speeds from dried lubricants, and a technician experienced with vintage leaf shutters should service it. The rangefinder mechanism, if present, may need realignment ("collimation") if images are consistently out of focus despite correct distance setting. Regular use, gentle cleaning of lens elements with appropriate solutions, and storage in a dry, temperature-stable place are essential for long-term preservation. Spare parts are extremely limited, which makes non-functional Dollinas difficult to restore.
Market Value
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ CERTO DOLLINA Nov 2026 │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ High $211 Latest $101 │ │ Median $71 Trend — │ │ Low $22 Volume ~6/mo │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ $300 ┤ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ $171 ┤ . . . . │ │ │ . . │ │ │. . . . .│ │ │ . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .│ │ $0 ┤ . . . . . │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ vol │▂ ▂▆ ▄ ▂ ▂ ▄ █ ▂ ▂ ▂ ▂ ▄ ▂ ▂▂▂ ▂ ▂▆ ▂ ▂ ▂ ▂ ▆│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ 2026-02 2026-05 2026-07│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
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eBay Listings
Recently sold on eBay: $41–$177 (median $71, based on 37 completed sales, past 12 months)
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