Bilora Radix 56

Photos by PS text by PS. From the collection of PS. Last update 2024-01-02 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1949 to (After) 1949.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 10145

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Bilora

What a peculiar little camera! It's nothing extraordinary, and yet it's far from ordinary.

Its format, 24 x 24, is uncommon. The Karat cartridge is an Agfa invention. Its shape seems to be inspired by American "minicams" in the 127 format.

The decoration of its lens tube appears to date back more to the 1930s than the 1950s, with its tiny round window above the lens displaying the aperture settings. The shutter release doesn't depress; instead, it needs to be pulled to the right. The socket for a cable release is located at the top of the right side of the device!

The back-opening system consists of a massive circular latch, seemingly borrowed from a Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic.

Its Biloxar Anastigmat with an aperture of 5.6 doesn't seem very performant. The sector shutter has only one speed, but a small lever under the lens allows it to be locked in the open position for long exposures.

This all-metal and somewhat heavy camera has a frame counter positioned above the winding lever. This model features an accessory shoe located above the viewfinder, which can also be found beside it.

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Some of Bilora's older models feature an unusual back locking system. It involves a rotary lock. To unlock it, you need to press a tiny button. The system is effective but quickly disappears to be replaced by a simple slider, less secure but likely less complex and costly to manufacture.

The April 1951 patent FR977862 protects this closing system.

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