Voigtlander Bessa
In keeping with my fascination for shiny objects, here's today's.
This is a Voigtlander Bessa, possibly a pre-war model. Here's a link to Photo Utopia for more information, and some much better photos. This one came from a garage sale. It takes 120 roll film. Apparently it had a filter or lens cover on a hinge in front of the lens at one time, but it's long gone.
Yep, great big negatives! Unfortunately, the shutter quit on this one. I managed a few shots with it before that happened and was impressed with the quality. Sure, you have to guess at the range, but in sunlight it's possible to stop down and use the hyperfocal distance scale atop the camera.
This could probably use new seals, and I'll eventually get the shutter fixed. It's nice to have a medium format camera that folds up to fit in a pocket! This one is simple and rugged.
Labels: camera
posted by Ed W at 5:44 PM
4 Comments:
You're making me all nostalgic about using my Praktica. Much more of this and I may run out to buy a roll of 35mm.
For the benefit of your readers, the Praktica was made in the DDR, as in "East Germany." It did have a very good lens.
There's more on the way, Steve!
Hello Sir
Your camera ia a Bessa 66 sometimes called a Baby Bessa. They made them both before the war and again just after the war.
If the shutter is sticky try putting it in a warm place like an airing cupboard for a day or so.
What shutter/lens does it have? Post war ones are coated and have Prontor shutter.
Have Fun
(Photo Utopia)
Thanks, Photo-Smith. It is indeed a Bessa 66 as I can make out the very faint letters on the rear. The shutter is a Prontor II, but there's no obvious marking on the lens and I can't tell if it's coated. No obvious bluish cast, anyway. The bellows doesn't appear to have any light leaks, and the tech at Tulsa Camera Repair said the shutter is likely repairable.
I'll pick up the Canonet this weekend. Now which one to fix next?
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