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Baliphoto Bali
France Version française
Photos by Jean-François Weber text by Jean-François Weber. From the collection of Jean-François Weber. Last update 2023-12-11 par Michel Rochevalier.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1960 to (After) 1960.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 14445

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Baliphoto 

Bali has nothing to do with the enchanting island; it's actually a contraction of Bad Liebenzell, the town where the company Regula was situated.
The connection between Regula and Baliphoto GmbH is unclear. McKeown presents Baliphoto as a subsidiary of Regula responsible for distributing devices manufactured by Regula under different brands. One might question the need for such a setup, but unfortunately, there is no further accessible information available.

This model is very similar to Regula's Regulette.

Baliphoto Bali



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The Regula brand was present on the market from the beginning of the 1950s to the very beginning of the 1980s. The company was called King AG (Regula-Werk King AG), owned by the eponymous family. The K-shaped logo surmounted by a crown is that of the company.
The models were numerous and often made in large numbers. There are also many models under distributor brands. Most of the models are quite simple, this trend becoming more and more assertive as the chronology of the cameras goes. This explains that if it is easy to find a Regula, it is difficult to find them all.

The first models are entirely metallic. No frills, they are very well made. Their name is a simple "I", followed by one or two letters. It is difficult to rigorously classify these models. The exact model name is sometimes hidden on the back of the camera.
They may or may not have a built-in (extinguishing) light meter. The lenses are Steinheil Cassar 40 or 45 mm, opening at f/2.8 or f/3.5. The shutter can be a Pronto, a Prontor-S or a Prontor-SVS.

Alongside these simple cameras, King made a range of more elaborate cameras, having a screw-on lens, an built in lightmeter and on some models, a rangefinder. These are the Regula III, Regula Cita and Regula Citalux.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Regula cameras are sold in large numbers thanks to their price. It is the success of the series whose name begins with Sprint. The quality is clearly down, the materials are mediocre. King followed the technical evolution by releasing models for the 126 and 110 cartridges. King even made a brief foray into the single-lens reflex camera market, without success.

The last Regula models are on sale around 1982, probably from a manufacturing subcontracted abroad. The company is declared bankrupt shortly thereafter.





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