DACORA DACORA I

The Dacora I is a 6×6 medium format folding camera reportedly produced by Wirgin under the Dacora brand in West Germany, introduced around 1956. It was an affordable folder for amateur photographers, compact and able to use 120 roll film.

Overview

Reportedly introduced between 1952 and 1956, the Dacora I belongs to a generation of postwar German folding cameras built to balance quality optics, mechanical reliability and low production cost. Wirgin marketed it to amateurs and enthusiasts who wanted medium format in a portable package. As a 6×6 folder, it makes 12 square exposures on standard 120 film. Those negatives enlarge well, which was a real advantage over 35mm cameras of the era.

The Dacora I was reportedly a mid-tier model in Dacora's lineup, with possible variants such as the Dacora II, III, and IV, each differing mainly in lens and shutter specifications. It was not as sophisticated as high-end contemporaries like the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta, but it offered solid build, decent optics and ease of use. It was manufactured in Wiesbaden, West Germany, while German camera engineering was regaining international standing after World War II.

The camera has a leather-clad cardboard body with a collapsible metal front standard, so the lens assembly folds into the body for transport. That made it much more compact than rigid-body medium format cameras. Despite its modest price, the Dacora I reportedly includes a coupled viewfinder and rangefinder (on some variants), a rotating back for portrait and landscape orientation, and a simple focusing mechanism via a front-panel knob.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Folding viewfinder/rangefinder camera
Film Format	120 film (6×6 format, typically 12 exposures)
Years Produced	Approximately 1956–1959
Lens Mount	Fixed lens (non-interchangeable)
Shutter	Prontor SV shutter, reportedly with speeds B, 1–1/300 sec
Aperture Range	f/4.5 to f/22 (reported)
Lens	75mm f/4.5 Steinheil Culminar (4-element Tessar-type)
Metering	None (reportedly no built-in meter)
Exposure Modes	Manual only (shutter speed and aperture set manually)
Viewfinder	Optical frame lines with parallax correction;
Focusing	Manual via helical focus knob (linked to lens standard)
Flash Sync	PC sync socket and X/M flash contacts on shutter
Dimensions	Approx. 150 × 90 × 55 mm (folded); weight approximately 550 g
Back Type	Fixed rotating back with red window for frame counting

Key Features

75mm f/4.5 Tessar-type lens (reportedly Steinheil Culminar or Schneider Xenar) providing sharp, high-contrast images with minimal aberrations.
Compur or Prontor shutter with reportedly speeds from 1 second to 1/300 second and B setting, offering flexibility in exposure control.
Folding design with rotating back allows for both portrait and landscape orientations without repositioning the camera.
Parallax-corrected viewfinder with brightline frame markings for accurate composition.
Robust German engineering with metal lens standard, leather bellows, and precision focusing mechanism.

Historical Context

The Dacora I came out as the West German camera industry was recovering, following the economic upturn of the early 1950s. Wirgin, which marketed cameras under the Dacora brand, wanted a share of the growing consumer photography market and offered well-built medium format cameras at competitive prices. The Dacora I reportedly competed with other folding 6×6 cameras such as the Kodak Retina I (Type 117), Wirgin Edinex, and Agfa Isolette. All of them targeted amateurs who wanted better image quality than 35mm could give without the bulk of larger format systems.

Despite its solid construction and reputable lens options, the Dacora I never got the international fame of cameras from Zeiss Ikon or Rollei. Part of the reason may be that Wirgin focused more on its Edixa line of 35mm SLRs, which got more marketing attention. Still, the Dacora I was technically sound, with optics and mechanics derived from proven designs. It used high-quality lenses like the Schneider Xenar, a design known for sharpness and color correction, which gave it an edge over budget models with simpler triplet lenses.

Collectibility & Value

Today, the Dacora I is a fairly obscure camera, increasingly appreciated by medium format film enthusiasts and collectors of postwar German cameras. Its value remains moderate, with reported prices ranging from $80 to $150 USD in functional condition. Models with the Schneider Xenar lens generally cost more than those with the Steinheil Culminar, though both are optically excellent.

When buying a Dacora I, check the bellows for pinholes or brittleness, make sure the shutter speeds are accurate (especially at slower settings), and verify that the focusing mechanism runs smoothly. The leather covering may be worn or detached on older examples, and the red window (if present) can become fogged or scratched. The camera has no built-in metering, so it pairs well with a modern handheld light meter.

Because of its limited production numbers and the shadow cast by more famous contemporaries, the Dacora I is considered a niche collectible.

Similar Cameras

Kodak Retina I (Type 117) – German-made 6×6 folding camera with high-quality lenses and excellent build.
Agfa Isolette I – Compact folding 6×6 camera with coupled rangefinder and sharp Solinar lens.
Wirgin Edinex – Sister model to the Dacora I, often sharing components and design.
Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta C – Premium folding camera with advanced features and legendary optics.
Rollei 4×4 – Though using 127 film, shares the compact folding ethos and German engineering.

Repair & Maintenance

The Dacora I needs no batteries and is fully mechanical, so it suits long-term use with proper maintenance. The most common problems are stiff or inaccurate shutters, particularly in cameras stored for decades. A full CLA (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust) by a technician experienced with vintage leaf shutters (Compur or Prontor) is recommended for reliable operation. Bellows replacement is possible but needs careful fitting because of the folding standard's design. The focusing mechanism may need cleaning or lubrication if it becomes gritty. As with all folding cameras, store it in a dry, temperate place to prevent mold and deterioration of leather and rubber components.