DACORA DACORA II
The Dacora Dacora II is a 6×6 medium format folding camera produced by the German manufacturer Dacora, with production likely beginning in the late 1940s and continuing into the early 1950s. As a compact and well-engineered folder, it was designed to offer amateur photographers a portable yet capable system for producing high-quality square-format negatives on 120 film.
Overview
The Dacora II emerged during a period of resurgence in German optical manufacturing following World War II, when numerous small workshops and brands sought to reestablish themselves in the competitive European camera market. Dacora, based in Braunschweig (Brunswick), positioned the Dacora II as a mid-tier folding camera aimed at serious amateur photographers who desired the image quality of 6×6 negatives without the bulk of a rigid-body medium format camera. It was part of a broader family of Dacora folding cameras, including the earlier Dacora I and later Dacora III, but distinguished itself with a more refined lens assembly and improved focusing mechanism.
Unlike many of its contemporaries that used coupled rangefinders, the Dacora II relied on a scale-focusing system with a ground-glass focusing screen accessed via a flip-up hood on the folding waist-level finder. The camera’s leather-clad body folds neatly into a compact rectangle measuring approximately 13 × 9 × 5 cm when closed, making it highly portable for its era. It features a rigid struts system to stabilize the front standard when extended, ensuring consistent lens alignment and focus accuracy. The Dacora II was marketed as a precision instrument, emphasizing its German engineering and compatibility with high-grade optics.
The camera was available with two primary lens configurations: the standard model equipped with a 75mm f/4.5 Rodenstock Ysar or Schneider Kreuznach Xenar lens, both renowned for their sharpness and color correction. , offering improved low-light performance. All versions used a Compur-Rapid shutter, a hallmark of quality in postwar German cameras, providing reliable mechanical timing across a wide speed range.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Type | Folding viewfinder camera with front standard lens and separate viewing hood |
| Film Format | 120 film (producing twelve 6×6 cm exposures) |
| Years Produced | c. 1948–1953 |
| Lens Mount | Fixed shutter-lens assembly (no interchangeable lenses) |
| Shutter | Compur-Rapid leaf shutter, speeds from 1 sec to 1/400 sec, plus B |
| Aperture Range | f/4.5 to f/22 (f/3.5 to f/16 on Tessar-equipped models) |
| Metering | None (uncoupled; exposure determined externally or via handheld meter) |
| Exposure Modes | Manual only (shutter speed and aperture set manually) |
| Viewfinder | Folding waist-level optical viewfinder with pop-up magnifier and ground-glass screen |
| Focusing | Scale focusing via helical focus mount (distance set manually using engraved scale) |
| Film Advance | Red window on back for frame numbering |
| Dimensions | Approx. 13 × 9 × 5.5 cm (folded), ~17 cm extended; weight ~650–700 g |
| Construction | Metal body with leather covering, folding struts, ground-glass focusing screen |
Key Features
- High-quality 75mm lens options, including Rodenstock Ysar, Schneider Xenar, or Zeiss Tessar variants, delivering excellent resolution and contrast.
- Compur-Rapid shutter with speeds up to 1/400 sec, enabling flash synchronization available at 1/30 sec and slower via PC terminal.
- Compact folding design with rigid strut support, balancing portability with structural stability.
- Ground-glass waist-level finder with magnifier for precise manual focusing.
- 120 film compatibility producing twelve 6×6 cm negatives per roll, ideal for contact printing and enlarging.
Historical Context
The Dacora II was introduced at a time when medium format folding cameras were transitioning from professional tools to accessible instruments for advanced amateurs. In the early 1950s, German brands like ICA, Wirgin, and Balda dominated the folding camera segment, often rebadging designs or sharing chassis through OEM agreements. Dacora was a brand name used by the company Optische Anstalt G. Möller, which likely produced or assembled the cameras in Braunschweig, possibly using shared designs or components with other German firms. The Dacora II competed directly with models such as the ICA Karat, Wirgin Edinex, and Balda Baldessa series—all similarly sized 6×6 folders with high-grade optics.
Despite lacking a coupled rangefinder, the Dacora II appealed to photographers who valued simplicity, portability, and optical quality. Its release coincided with the growing popularity of 120 film in postwar Europe, where 35mm cameras were still relatively expensive and less accessible. The Dacora II offered a middle ground: larger negatives than 35mm, superior image quality, and a form factor that could fit in a coat pocket. However, by the late 1950s, the rise of the 35mm SLR and more automated medium format systems began to eclipse folding cameras, leading to the Dacora II’s discontinuation around 1956.
Collectibility & Value
Today, the Dacora II is a niche collectible, appreciated by folding camera enthusiasts and users of vintage medium format gear. Complete examples in working condition occasionally sell for $100–$250 USD, depending on lens and condition, with higher prices commanded by models equipped with the Zeiss Tessar lens or those in exceptional cosmetic condition. Rarity is moderate—while not excessively scarce, many units suffered from deteriorated leather, damaged focusing screens, or shutter issues due to age and lack of use.
When acquiring a Dacora II, collectors should inspect the shutter operation across all speeds, check for lens fungus or separation (particularly in the Tessar variants), and verify that the focusing helicoid moves smoothly without play. The red window should be intact and free of clouding, and the viewfinder hood and magnifier should deploy correctly. Because the camera lacks a light meter and uses a red window for frame counting, it is essential that the back seals are light-tight to prevent fogging.
Similar Cameras
- ICA Karat 66 – Similar 6×6 folder with interchangeable lenses and Compur shutter.
- Wirgin Edinex 66 – German-made folder with Tessar lens and high build quality.
- Balda Baldessa Super 66 – Rugged folding design with interchangeable lens options.
- Kodak Retina II (Type 015) – 35mm folding camera, but comparable in portability and German engineering.
- Foca II B – French 6×6 folder with similar form factor and lens quality.
Repair & Maintenance
The Dacora II requires no batteries, as all functions are fully mechanical. The Compur-Rapid shutter is serviceable but sensitive to improper lubrication; professional CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) is recommended if speeds are inconsistent. Common issues include stiff or seized aperture blades, sticky shutter curtains, and degraded light seals around the film chamber. Replacement parts are scarce, so preservation of original components is crucial. The focusing screen may be replaced with modern ground glass if damaged, though originality affects collector value. Regular use and gentle handling help maintain the folding struts and leather bellows integrity.
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