Balda Baldessa Standard |
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Manufactured or assembled in Germany from (Circa) 1972 to (After) 1972.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 3300
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Balda
The Baldessa cameras appear to be the successors to the Baldina, with the introduction of the former coinciding with the disappearance of the latter in catalogs.
The Baldessa models have a simple top cover because the film rewind crank is located under the base. There is also a key that replaces the film advance lever.
The standard lens is a 2.8/45 mm. The initial models have a rounded shape.
Non-exhaustive list | Years | Lens | Shutter | ||
Baldessa I | ![]() |
1957- | Baldanar |
Prontor | Single viewfinder |
Baldessa I | ![]() |
1957- | Color-Westanar |
Prontor-SVS 1 to 1/300 |
|
Baldessa I | ![]() |
1957- | Color-Baldanar |
Vario 1/25 to 1/200 |
Collimated viewfinder |
Baldessa I | ![]() |
Prontor-SVS 1 to 1/300 |
|||
Baldessa Ia | ![]() |
1958- | Color-Baldanar |
Prontor-SVS 1 to 1/300 |
Coupled rangefinder Automatic parallax compensation |
Baldessa Ib | ![]() |
1958- | Color-Westanar |
Prontor-SVS 1 to 1/300 |
Rangefinder Light meter |
Baldessa Ib | ![]() |
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Baldessa RF | ![]() |
>1961- | Color-Isconar | Prontor-SVS 1 to 1/500 |
Built-in flash Coupled rangefinder |
Baldessa RF/LK | ![]() |
>1961- | Color-Isconar | Prontor 500 LK 1 to 1/500 |
Built-in flash Coupled rangefinder Posemètre |
Baldessamat F | ![]() |
>1961- | Color-Isconar | Prontor 500 LK 1 to 1/500 |
Built-in flash Lightmeter Collimated viewfinder |
Baldamatic | ![]() |
1960- | Color-Baldanar | Prontormat | Coupled light meter |
Super Baldamatic | ![]() |
1960 | Color-Baldanar | Compur 1/30 to 1/500 |
Coupled light meter |
Baldamatic I | ![]() |
1958- | Color-Westanar | Prontor-SLK | Coupled light meter Coupled rangefinder |
Baldamatic I | 1958- | Enna-Color-Haponit | Synchro-Compur | ||
Baldamatic I | 1958- | Baldanar | Prontormat | ||
Super Baldamatic I | ![]() |
1960- | Color-Baldanar | Compur 1/30 to 1/500 |
Coupled rangefinder light meter |
Super Baldamatic I | 1960- | Xenar | |||
Baldamatic II | ![]() |
1960- | Xenar | Pronto-LK | Coupled light meter Coupled rangefinder |
Baldamatic II | ![]() |
1960- | Color-Baldanar | Prontormat | |
Baldamatic II | ![]() |
Pronto-LK | |||
Baldamatic III | ![]() |
1960- | - | Synchro-Compur 1 to 1/500 | Coupled light meter Coupled rangefinder Interchangeable lens |
From the mid-1960s onward, the shape of the cameras changed, becoming more angular. The cameras became lighter due to the use of aluminum and plastic. Some models even appear to stem from outsourced manufacturing.
Non-exhaustive list | Years | Lens | Shutter | ||
Baldessa Standard | ![]() |
c. 1972 | Color-Isconar | Prontor 125 | Collimated viewfinder |
Baldessa F | ![]() |
c. 1966 | Color-Isconar | Prontor 125 | Built-in flash Collimated viewfinder |
Baldessa LF | ![]() |
c.1966-72 | Color-Isconar | Prontor 125 | Built-in flash Posemètre Collimated viewfinder |
Baldessa LF | ![]() |
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Baldessa F-LK | ![]() |
c. 1968 | Color-Isconar | Prontor 300 LK | Built-in flash Coupled light meter |
In the coding used by Balda, the letters have a meaning.
R | Presence of a rangefinder |
F | Presence of a flash for AG-1 bulb |
L | Presence of a light meter (Lichtmeter) |
K | Specifies that the light meter is coupled |
A patent filed in 1958 fairly illustrates the internal complexity of a camera resembling the Baldamatic Ib.
![](../../balda/images/ecorche_baldamatic_Ib.png)
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In the early 1970s, Balda revises its range of cameras. The overall shape changes, the quality of materials decreases, and the features become more commonplace. The film advance is operated by a standard lever.
The Baldessa Standard looks like and has the characteristics of cameras made by Regula. The lens is a Color-Isconar and the shutter is a Prontor 125, a basic combination.
It's possible that the term 'Standard' is not part of the model name at Balda. It might simply be called Baldessa.
The catalogs often use an image of the Baldessa F instead of that of a Baldessa Standard.
![Balda Baldessa Standard](../../balda/images/Baldessa_standard.jpg)
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