Bilora Bella 66

Photos by Jacques Bratières text by Jacques Bratières. From the collection of Jacques Bratières. Last update 2024-01-28 par Jacques Bratieres.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from (Circa) 1956 to (After) 1956.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 3062

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Bilora

During the second half of the 1950s, Bilora (the company's name is Kürbi & Niggeloh) managed to develop a complete range of similar-looking cameras that turned out to be quite different. The first model is manufactured under Ferrania license. They are all made of cast alloy. The early models use 127 film, but depending on the model, they produce negatives of different dimensions. The number in the model name often indicates these dimensions... but not always. The hood of the early versions has a bulge integrating the viewfinder and supporting an accessory shoe. As the successive versions were introduced, the hood became flatter, somewhat standardizing the overall shape of the camera. Models for 120 film are later; their shape is different, more angular. As 127 and 120 films gradually fell out of favor among enthusiasts, the camera was adapted for 135 film. There are numerous technical modifications to the Bella 35; however, the elegant overall shape has been maintained.

	Film 127			120		135
From (c.)	4 x 4 cm	4 x 6 cm	4 x 6,5 cm	6 x 6 cm	4 x 4 cm	24 x 36 mm

1953			Bella
1954
1955		Bella 55	Bella 56
1956		Bella 46		Bella 66
1957		Bella D		Bella 66
1958	Bella 44
1959		Bella 46		Bella 66	Bella DC4
1960	Bella 44					Bella 35
1961				Bella 66
1962	Bella 44			Bella 66 Standard

Each of these models could have been produced with variations in lens and shutter.

Several of these models exist under different brands, such as the Ansco Lancer or the Tower 5.

The patent DE1688606 from December 1954 describes a camera equipped with a socket for a large-sized flash bulb. It appears that no manufactured model ultimately utilized this patent.

The version with a flash bulb is called Bellaluxa. It is the subject of the patent DE1846892 from February 1962.

__________

The Bella 66 is a classic model due to its choice of film and the size of the resulting negatives. It underwent several changes in appearance in an attempt to establish itself in the market. Successive versions featured an increasing number of plastic components. A simplified version, presumably less expensive, called Standard, concluded the series.

Like other Bella cameras, the Bella 66 is simple. It has two shutter speeds, two aperture settings through a pivoting palette (sun and gray circle), but it features a distance adjustment from 1.50 meters onwards.

This version shares the same aesthetic as the Bella D, with a two-tone design featuring blue for the metal parts and beige for the synthetic coating. The combination of these two colors is well-chosen to enhance the overall lines and adds a lot of visual interest to this model.

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