Welta Weltini II

Photos by BL text by BL. From the collection of BL. Last update 2020-12-21 par Michel Rochevalier.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1938 to (After) 1938.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 2072

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Welta

Traduction de Manuel M

The Welta brand is rather little known in France in spite of a very varied production of view cameras of voyage and folding cameras. Founded in 1914, it integrated in 1959 the group which took the name of VEB Pentacon, put in East Germany.

With the first glance, because of his size, I thought that this camera was intended for images of 4.5 x 6 cm, it of it is wrong, since it is about a format 24 x 36.

The Weltini was produced of 1937 to 1938 with a flap cut out in several levels. It was modified as from 1938 to be presented with a design of round forms much more harmonious. Although not having changed of name, it is of use to name Wetini II this production which will be finish in 1941.

Whereas Welti’s, produced since 1935, have a flap opening on the right and a release with right hand, Weltini opens him on the left with a release with left hand and advance and of rewinding knobs of film placed on the sole; in fact, all seems reversed on this camera. That comes from the choice of the engineers who, seeking to simplify and make profitable the production, decided to put the telemetric unit what was the shoe of the preceding models.

Perhaps to be forgiven a disconcert catch in hand and a not very easy viewfinder for the glass holders of glasses, the designers had the idea of this astute system of cam ended by a pin which makes it possible to bring back the lens on the infinite during the closing of the flap.

Always assembled with a Compur Rapid shutter allowing the choice of the second to the 1/500 s, this camera of beautiful manufacture was proposed with a choice of various lenses:

Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 5 centimetres F: 2.8
Schneider Kreuznach Xenon 5 centimetres F: 2 (this model)
Carl Zeiss Tessar 5 centimetres F: 2.8
Leitz Elmar 5 F 3.5

Serial number of the lens 1730363

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Popular Photography de 1939

Popular Photography de 1940

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