WERRA 2

Name: Werra 2
Brand: Werra

The Werra 2 is a compact, fixed-lens 35mm viewfinder camera made by Werra Werk, a German optical manufacturer in Bad Rodach, Bavaria. It came out in 1957 as an update of the Werra 1, part of the company's line of affordable, entry-level 35mm cameras for amateur photographers.

Overview

The Werra 2 arrived while the postwar European camera market was growing fast. Numerous small manufacturers were chasing middle-class buyers who were taking up 35mm photography. Werra Werk was not as prominent as Zeiss Ikon or Wirgin, and it positioned itself as a maker of simple, reliable, cost-effective cameras. The Werra 2 was designed for snapshots. It put mechanical reliability and clean optical performance ahead of advanced features.

From the outside, the Werra 2 looks a lot like the Werra 1, but it has several internal refinements that improve usability and build quality. The big one is a redesigned shutter mechanism with a slightly expanded speed range and a more durable film transport system. It keeps the same top-mounted film advance lever and integrated rewind knob, with improved gearing for smoother operation. The body is pressed steel with leatherette covering, typical of budget cameras of the era, and there is a folding film reminder dial on the baseplate.

Within the Werra Werk lineup, the Werra 2 is a mid-tier compact. It sits above the basic Werra 1 and below the more advanced Werra 3 and Werra 4, which offered features such as rangefinder focusing and interchangeable lenses. It was sold mainly in West Germany and exported in limited numbers to neighboring European countries. It never got widespread international distribution. Specifications were modest, but it is notable for solid German engineering and high-quality coated optics for the price.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Fixed-lens compact viewfinder
Film Format	35mm (135 cartridge)
Years Produced	1957–1960
Lens Mount	Fixed Zeiss Tessar-type lens
Lens	45mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar (4 elements in 3 groups), coated
Aperture Range	f/2.8 to f/16 (6 settings)
Shutter	Compur-Matic leaf shutter
Shutter Speeds	B, 1–1/300 second (1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/300)
Metering	None (uncoupled light meter required)
Exposure Modes	Manual only (shutter- and aperture-priority not available)
Focus	Scale focusing (1m to ∞) via front lens ring
Viewfinder	Combined optical viewfinder and frame lines (parallax-corrected)
Flash Sync	PC terminal with X-sync only (1/30 sec or slower)
Film Speed Range	Manually set ASA 6–400 via calculator dial
Film Advance	Single-stroke lever (top plate)
Rewind	Knob with folding crank (top plate)
Dimensions	130 × 75 × 55 mm (W×H×D)
Weight	Approx. 480 g (with lens cap, no battery)

Key Features

Carl Zeiss Jena 45mm f/2.8 Tessar lens: A high-quality, coated lens known for sharpness and excellent contrast, rare in cameras at this price point.
Compur-Matic leaf shutter: Offers a wide range of speeds up to 1/300 sec, with precise mechanical timing and low vibration.
Scale focusing with depth-of-field scale: Enables zone focusing and hyperfocal distance use for greater depth of field in street and travel photography.
Parallax-corrected viewfinder: Includes automatic frame adjustment for close focusing distances.
Integrated film reminder dial: Located on the baseplate, useful for tracking multiple film loads.

Historical Context

The Werra 2 was introduced in 1957, when the 35mm camera market in West Germany was highly competitive and dozens of manufacturers were offering compact viewfinder cameras. Wirgin (Edixa), Braun, and Voigtländer were making similar models, often with comparable specifications but higher prices. Werra Werk set itself apart by offering Zeiss-branded optics in an affordable body, using the prestige of Carl Zeiss Jena glass to attract budget-conscious enthusiasts.

The Werra 2 was solidly built and had good optics, but it faced stiff competition from more advanced cameras like the Kodak Retina IIa and the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex Super B, which offered rangefinder or SLR systems. It still found a niche among amateurs who valued simplicity and reliability. It was not widely advertised or exported. Production ceased around 1960 as Werra Werk shifted focus toward more advanced models, and the company eventually left the camera market in the mid-1960s. Fewer than 25,000 units are estimated to have been produced, which makes it a relatively rare model today.

Collectibility & Value

The Werra 2 is a niche collectible, mostly for people interested in postwar German engineering and Zeiss optics. The coated Tessar lens and Compur shutter put it above many contemporary budget models, and well-preserved examples are sought after for both use and display. In the current collector market (2024), a fully functional Werra 2 in good cosmetic condition typically sells for $250 - $400 USD. Mint examples reach up to $550 if they come with the original case, manual, and lens cap.

When buying a Werra 2, check the shutter for consistency at all speeds. The Compur-Matic mechanism can suffer from hardened lubricant or inaccurate speeds if it hasn't been serviced. The lens should be free of haze, fungus, and separation, though coated Tessar units are generally sturdy. The leatherette tends to peel, and the viewfinder glass may have minor scratches. Check the film advance and rewind carefully, since worn gears can cause frame spacing problems. There is no light meter, so pair the camera with a handheld meter or smartphone app for accurate exposure.

Similar Cameras

Kodak Retina II (Type 015) – 35mm viewfinder with Schneider Xenar lens, similar era and quality.
Wirgin Edinex 35 – German-made compact with coated lens and leaf shutter, slightly more advanced.
Braun Colorette II – Stylish design, 45mm f/2.8 lens, and similar feature set.
Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 – Another compact Zeiss-branded camera with Tessar lens and high build quality.
Rollei 35 (later) – Though introduced in 1966, it shares the philosophy of compact size and premium optics.

Repair & Maintenance

The Werra 2 needs no batteries, since every function is fully mechanical. That makes it very reliable, but it also needs regular servicing to perform its best. The Compur-Matic shutter should be cleaned and re-lubricated every 10-15 years, especially if the camera has been in storage. Common issues are a stiff shutter release, inaccurate slow speeds, and film counter misalignment. Replacement parts are scarce, so repairs should go to specialists in vintage German cameras. The lens is sealed and not user-serviceable, and disassembly risks damaging the coating or alignment. For regular use, store the camera with the shutter cocked and the lens cap on to prevent light leaks and dust accumulation.