Dacora Daci

Photos by Sylvain Halgand text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of Sylvain Halgand. Last update 2022-12-21 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1950 to 1952.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 2660

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 Dacora brand's box cameras can be divided into two families: the Daco and the Daci. The Daco cameras were made of bakelite and had a relatively short production run. Their fragility and brief career make them rarer than the Daci models.

The first Daco had a lens with an aperture of f/11. The Daco II had a brighter lens (f/8). The bakelite material used was very attractive, and the camera design was reminiscent of the Agfa Trolix.
The Daci models, made of metal, replaced the Daco cameras starting from 1950. The shapes of these cameras were very similar to the Daco series.
They came in several variations:

1. Daci, fixed focus, introduced in 1950 with some aesthetic changes in 1952.
2. Daci Royal, featuring manual focus, introduced in 1950.
3. Daci Royal Flash, featuring manual focus and flash synchronization, introduced in 1951.

All three models were available in black, red, green, and gray.

__________

The Daci keeps the general shape of the Daco. The transition from bakelite to metal makes it losing a bit of charm, however, the persistence of rounded shapes makes itattractive.
During its existence, the Daci was submitted to aesthetic and technical transformations. This model is part of the first generation, however, it is not really one of the first models because the trigger is above the device, not on the side, as it was for the early series.

Interesting links or bibliography :

Sur Camera-wiki.org, suggested by Sylvain Halgand

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