Balda Baldafix

Photos by DC text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of DC. Last update 2023-11-16 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from (Circa) 1950 to (After) 1950.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 979

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Balda

Before World War II, Balda was based in Dresden. After the war, Dresden fell under Soviet occupation, becoming part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1949. Max Baldeweg then fled to the new Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), where he resumed manufacturing cameras under the same brand. The factory in the East was renamed Belca. The new West German production closely resembled that of the pre-war period. Numerous folding camera models using 120 film were produced. It is quite challenging to understand the rules under which sometimes similar models were given different names.

The Baldafix and Baldalux are part of the same family, with the Baldalux succeeding the more advanced Baldafix models. The Baldafix comes in two formats: 6 x 9 and 4.5 x 6, while the Baldalux offers three formats: 6 x 9, 4.5 x 6, and 6 x 6, thanks to reducer masks that can be inserted into the darkroom.

The Baldafix has several variations. In the first generation, the viewfinder, simply consisting of two non-optical frames, is foldable. The second-generation models are recognizable by their streamlined viewfinder. It can be adjusted to match the negative format using a small lever that simultaneously displays the number of possible exposures in a window.

There are also multiple variations of the Baldalux, but they feature superior lenses and shutters compared to contemporary Baldafix models. The streamlined cover completely encases one side of the body, whereas on the Baldafix, it only included the viewfinder and accessory shoe.

Non-exhaustive list	Years	Lens	Shutter

Baldafix				Two frames finder
Baldafix	1950-	Ennar 4.5	Prontor-S 1 to 1/250	Hooded viewfinder
Baldafix	1950-	Cassar 6,3	Vario 1/25 to 1/200	Hooded viewfinder
Baldalux	1953-1954	Radionar 4.5	Prontor-SV 1 to 1/250, B	Fully streamlined side
Baldalux	1955-1956	Radionar 4.5	Prontor-SVS 1 to 1/300, B
Baldalux	1953-56	Trinar 3,5	Synchro-Compur 1 to 1/500, B
Baldalux	1953-54	Radionar 4.5	Synchro-Compur 1 to 1/500, B

Several patents protect elements found in these models. In 1953, the patents are filed by Balda Kamera Werk Rudolf Grüter KG. Subsequently, "Rudolf Grüter KG" disappears from the patents.


The film transport system (patent No. DE1633996 from 1952)	Optical viewfinder for dual-format camera (patent No. DE1641387 from 1952)

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This variant has an Ennar 4.5 lens and a Prontor-S shutter.

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