Bilora Bella |
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Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1953 to 1955.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 6330
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Bilora
During the second half of the 1950s, Bilora (the company's name is Kürbi & Niggeloh) managed to develop a complete range of similar-looking cameras that turned out to be quite different. The first model is manufactured under Ferrania license. They are all made of cast alloy. The early models use 127 film, but depending on the model, they produce negatives of different dimensions. The number in the model name often indicates these dimensions... but not always. The hood of the early versions has a bulge integrating the viewfinder and supporting an accessory shoe. As the successive versions were introduced, the hood became flatter, somewhat standardizing the overall shape of the camera. Models for 120 film are later; their shape is different, more angular. As 127 and 120 films gradually fell out of favor among enthusiasts, the camera was adapted for 135 film. There are numerous technical modifications to the Bella 35; however, the elegant overall shape has been maintained.
Film 127 | 120 | 135 | ||||
From (c.) | 4 x 4 cm | 4 x 6 cm | 4 x 6,5 cm | 6 x 6 cm | 4 x 4 cm | 24 x 36 mm |
1953 | Bella![]() |
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1954 | ||||||
1955 | Bella 55![]() |
Bella 56![]() |
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1956 | Bella 46 | Bella 66![]() |
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1957 | Bella D![]() |
Bella 66 | ||||
1958 | Bella 44 | |||||
1959 | Bella 46 | Bella 66![]() |
Bella DC4![]() |
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1960 | Bella 44![]() |
Bella 35![]() |
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1961 | Bella 66 ![]() |
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1962 | Bella 44![]() |
Bella 66 Standard![]() |
Each of these models could have been produced with variations in lens and shutter.
Several of these models exist under different brands, such as the Ansco Lancer or the Tower 5.
The patent DE1688606 from December 1954 describes a camera equipped with a socket for a large-sized flash bulb. It appears that no manufactured model ultimately utilized this patent.
![](../../bilora/images/Brevet_douille.png)
The version with a flash bulb is called Bellaluxa. It is the subject of the patent DE1846892 from February 1962.
![](../../bilora/images/Brevet_Bellaluxa.png)
This Bella model is the first in the series. It does not have a number, unlike its successors, and therefore, there is no indication of its format. It is a 4.5 x 6 cm on 127 film. It is entirely made of metal, painted entirely in black, except for the lens and the embellishment at its base, as well as the accessory shoe.
The lens is mounted on a retractable tube. An inscription on the front specifies that the manufacturing was done under Ferrania license. Indeed, the flash synchronization socket's position on the lens tube and the arrangement of certain parts (shutter release, knob, viewfinder) resemble the Ibis. Even the model's name suggests Italy.
![Bilora Bella](../../bilora/images/Bilora_Bella.jpg )
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![]() APPAREIL PHOTO ARGENTIQUE BILORA BELLA 44 west germany boitier aluminium 30,00 euros Finira le 22-08-2024 à 23:21:51 | ![]() APPAREIL PHOTO argentique BILORA BELLA 1: 9/70mm FOCUS 1950 ALLEMAGNE 30,00 euros Finira le 23-08-2024 à 00:15:18 |