CERTO SIX

Name: Certo Six
Brand: Certo

The Certo Six is a medium format folding monorail view camera with a twin-lens front standard. It is not a true twin-lens reflex (TLR). Certo-Cameras GmbH of Dresden made it, primarily from the mid-1930s to the late 1940s. Production likely ceased before 1950 due to post-war disruptions. It was designed as a compact, portable alternative to rigid-body TLRs, and it shoots 6x6cm exposures on 120 roll film.

Overview

Certo-Cameras GmbH of Dresden, Germany, introduced the Certo Six in 1932, during a period of rapid innovation in medium format photography. It targeted amateur and semi-professional photographers who wanted high image quality in a more portable form than traditional TLRs like the Rolleiflex. The folding design is its defining feature. It collapses the viewing and taking lenses into a compact leather-covered body, which makes it much easier to carry than competitors with fixed lens standards.

The Certo Six sits between the company's earlier plate cameras and its later 35mm offerings. Certo was best known for its high-quality plate-film reflex cameras such as the Certo Reflex, and the Six was a pivot toward roll film and greater accessibility. It was offered with a range of lenses and shutters over its 26-year production run. Lenses included the Zeiss Tessar, Schneider Xenar and Certo's own Trioplan, typically paired with Compur or Prontor shutters.

The camera has a waist-level viewfinder with a ground-glass screen and a pop-up hood, standard for TLRs of the era. It uses a folding monorail design. The entire front standard, with its dual lenses, extends forward on rails, but focusing is done by moving the rear standard with the ground-glass screen. Folding reduces its size when not in use. The design required precise alignment to keep focus accurate, and a well-maintained example holds that alignment.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Folding View Camera with Twin-Lens Front Standard
Film Format	6x6cm on 120 roll film
Years Produced	c. 1935–1948
Lens Mount	Fixed lens assembly (non-interchangeable)
Taking Lens	Various: Zeiss Tessar 75mm f/3.5, Schneider Xenar 75mm f/3.5, Certo Trioplan 75mm f/3.5
Viewing Lens	Certo Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 or equivalent
Shutter	Compur-Rapid or Prontor SVS leaf shutter
Shutter Speeds	B, 1 – 1/400 second (Compur); B, 1 – 1/300 second (Prontor)
Aperture Range	f/3.5 to f/22
Focusing	Rack-and-pinion focusing via rear standard movement; lenses on fixed front standard.
Viewfinder	Ground-glass focusing screen with folding hood, accessed from the rear standard — not a built-in viewfinder with optical coupling.
Metering	None (later models may have been used with handheld meters)
Exposure Modes	Manual only
Film Advance	Manual knob wind with red window for frame numbering
Frame Count	12 exposures per 120 roll film
Dimensions (Open)	Approx. 18 x 11 x 10 cm (varies by model)
Dimensions (Closed)	Approx. 9 x 10 x 5 cm
Weight	Approx. 950–1,100 g (depending on lens/shutter combination)

Key Features

Folding TLR Design: Unique among TLRs, the collapsible body allows for significantly improved portability without sacrificing 6x6cm image quality.
High-Quality Optics: Offered with premium lenses including the Zeiss Tessar and Schneider Xenar, both renowned for sharpness and contrast.
Precision Shutters: Equipped with either Compur-Rapid or Prontor SVS leaf shutters, providing reliable and accurate exposure control up to 1/400 sec.
Coupled Focus Mechanism: Focus adjustment via front standard moves both lenses in tandem, ensuring accurate image alignment on the viewing screen.
Red Window Frame Counter: Simple yet effective system for monitoring film advance using numbered backing paper visible through a rear window.

Historical Context

The Certo Six was launched when medium format roll film cameras were gaining popularity among serious amateurs. The early 1930s saw a shift from glass plates to roll film, and manufacturers tried to balance image quality with convenience. The Rolleiflex dominated the TLR market, but its rigid body made it bulky. Certo's folding design offered an alternative, particularly for travelers and photographers who valued compactness.

The Certo Six had its troubles. World War II disrupted production and supply chains, and post-war competition from German and Japanese manufacturers intensified. Cameras like the Yashica-Mat and Minolta Autocord offered more modern features such as automatic film spacing and brighter finders. Still, the Six had a relatively long production run for its niche, though it likely ended in the late 1940s. It was particularly popular in Europe, where its German engineering and solid build were highly regarded.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Certo Six is a sought-after collector's item, especially models with Zeiss or Schneider lenses. Functional examples in good working condition typically run from $150 to $300. Higher prices are rare and not well documented. Examples with rare lens combinations, such as the Trioplan, command more. Fully operational shutters and accurate focus alignment are critical to value, as are original leather and a clean, haze-free viewing screen.

Collectors should inspect for these common issues: shutter blades sticking from dried lubricant, light leaks from deteriorated leather bellows, and misalignment of the folding mechanism, which throws off focus accuracy. The red window is prone to clouding or paint loss, and the folding strut system can become loose over time. Spare parts are scarce, so functional condition weighs heavily on desirability. Cameras with original cases, manuals or accessories also fetch premiums.

Similar Cameras

Rolleiflex T Model (1930s) – Rigid-body TLR with similar optics and build quality, but less portable.
Wirgin Edinex 6x6 – Another German folding TLR, though less refined and less commonly exported.
Yashica 44 – Later Japanese folding TLR offering 4.5x4.5cm format; more compact but smaller negative.
Fodor Super Six – Dutch-built folding TLR with similar form factor and 6x6 output.
Koni-Omega Rapid – Professional folding medium format camera, though primarily used as a press camera with interchangeable backs.

Repair & Maintenance

The Certo Six is fully mechanical and requires no batteries. Regular servicing is still recommended. The leaf shutters (Compur or Prontor) often need cleaning and re-lubrication if they fail to fire at all speeds, a common problem in long-stored examples. Check the focus alignment too. The folding linkage can shift over time, which causes focusing discrepancies between the viewing and taking lenses.

The leather bellows are prone to cracking or developing pinholes, which cause light leaks. Replacement leather is available from specialist restorers, though re-covering is labor-intensive. Check the red window for opacity or paint flaking, and inspect the film advance mechanism for smooth operation. Original parts are scarce, so repair should go to technicians experienced with vintage German cameras. The Certo Six is not as common as other TLRs.