Dacora Super Dignette Electric-L

Photos by Jean-François Weber text by Jean-François Weber. From the collection of Jean-François Weber. Last update 2023-03-24 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1967 to (After) 1967.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 6143

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Dacora

The brand Dacora was a presence in the photography market from 1946 to the early 1970s. The company's name changed several times, but it is simpler to focus on the brand name. Its founder, Bernhard Dangelmaier, initially named the company DAngelmaier & Co.

The first products manufactured were bakelite box cameras simply named Daco. These were soon replaced by models that were almost identical but made of metal.

Subsequently, Dacora produced a small series of horizontal folding cameras in the 6x6 format, which had moderate success, and another series of rigid cameras with retractable lenses, also in the 6x6 format, called Digna.

It was in 1960 that the first 35mm models appeared in France. McKeown mentions 1958, but the delay in their arrival in France may be attributed to import restrictions. The Dignette and Super Dignette models achieved success and were sold in large quantities.

Throughout the 1960s, the catalog expanded further with new models using Rapid film or the 126 cartridge format introduced by Kodak.
In 1972, the company changed ownership one last time before disappearing.

Dacora produced numerous camera models under both the Dacora brand and other brands such as Hanimex, CIL, Ilford, and more.

The Dignette and Super Dignette are cameras that use 35mm film in the 135 cartridge format. The Super Dignette versions are equipped with a built-in coupled light meter, while among the Dignette models, there is at least one model with a light meter, although it may not be coupled.

The overall design of these cameras underwent a significant change in the late 1960s, adopting a more angular design.

Model	Years (c.)	Lens	Shutter

Dignette
Dignette	1955-58	(1)	(2)	Lever on top which has a specific shape
Dignette	1958-60	(1)	(2) to 1/250	Upper top
Dignette	c. 1960	(1)	(2) to 1/250	New top. Picture counter in a fake button.
Dignette	1960-62	(1)	(2) to 1/300	Top Front face with hubcap
Dignette	1962-64	(1)	(2)	Same shape of top, without fake button. , mais plus de faux bouton pour le compteur. Rewinding by crank
Dignette I	1964	Color-Subitar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 125	Simple camera
Dignette IF	1964	Color-Subitar	Prontor 125	like Dignette I, with bulb flash
Dignette IF	1964	Color-Subitar	Prontor 125	like Dignette I, with bulb flash
Dignette F	c.1966	Color-Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 125	Bulb Flash
Dignette L	1964-?	Color-Subitar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 250	non coupled lightmeter
Dignette E-M	c. 1962-64	(1)	Pronto	Coupled rangefinder
Dignette S-L	1964-?	(1)		non coupled lightmeter and timer
Dignette 125	c. 1968	Color-Isconar 2.8/40 mm	Prontor 125
Dignette S	1964-?	Cassar 2.8/45 mm	(2) Jusqu'au 1/250	Like Dignette, but with timer
Dignette 300	c. 1970	Color-Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 300 X
Dignette 300 L	c. 1970	Color-Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 300 X	non coupled lightmeter

Super Dignette (coupled lightmeter)
Super Dignette	1958-60	Dignar 3,5/45 mm	Vario-LK
Super Dignette	1958-60	Dignar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor-SLK
Super Dignette	1966-64	Cassar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 250 LK
Super Dignette E-B	1962-64	Cassar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor-LK	Coupled rangefinder
Super Dignette Electric-L	c. 1967	Color Trinon-Lanthan 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 300-E
Super Dignette Electric S	c. 1967		Prontor 500 S-E	Timer
Super Dignette Electric-CR	c. 1967	Color Isconar 2.8/45 mm	1/300	Coupled rangefinder
Super Dignette Electric-SR	c. 1967	Color Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 500 S-E	Timer and coupled rangefinder

1. Multiple lens options.
2. Multiple shutter options.

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Not yet translated into English

La forme des Super Dignette Electric est beaucoup plus anguleuse que celle des versions antérieures. Le grand changement est celui d'un posemètre au CdS à la place des posemètres au sélenium. Cela change l'aspect général des appareils, puisque la fenêtre des nouveaux posemètres est très petite, alors que celle des cellules au sélenium occupait le tiers de la largeur du capot.

Il y a plusieurs modèles dans cette nouvelle série de Super Dignette.

L'Electric L est équipé d'un obturateur Prontor 300-E et d'un objectif Rodenstock Color Trinon-Lanthan.

Cet appareil a la particularité d'avoir deux trappes pour pile. L'une à l'arrière de l'appareil alimente la cellule. Elle est munie d'un bouchon de trappe assurant la fonction "on-off " suivant sa position. La deuxième située sous l'appareil alimente le flashcube.

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Flashcube

The Flashcube is covered by the patent 3,327,105, published on June 20, 1967. It was filed by Sylvania, an American company from Massachusetts. The inventors are Franklin D. Kottler, Clifford G. Vroom, and Dean M. Peterson.
The Flashcube is a set of four bulbs protected by a transparent plastic cap, designed in the shape of a cube. Under the base of the cube, two metal wires establish contact with the electrical circuit of the camera for each of the bulbs.

The patent 3,327,106 filed by Sylvania on June 20, 1967, and with Franklin D. Kottler as the inventor, defines the connection method for cameras. Patent number 3,335,651, filed by Kodak and with Franklin D. Kottler and Francis A. Williams as inventors, explains the rotational system of the Flashcube for cameras utilizing it.
Several other patents from the same era indicate that Franklin D. Kottler worked for both Sylvania and Kodak.

Kodak

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