Bilora Bella 66 Standard

Photos by JCB text by JCB. From the collection of JCB. Last update 2024-01-02 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from (Circa) 1962 to (After) 1962.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 2757

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
1954
1955		Bella 55	Bella 56
1956		Bella 46		Bella 66
1957		Bella D		Bella 66
1958	Bella 44
1959		Bella 46		Bella 66	Bella DC4
1960	Bella 44					Bella 35
1961				Bella 66
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.

The version with a flash bulb is called Bellaluxa. It is the subject of the patent DE1846892 from February 1962.

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The Bella 66 Standard is a simplified version of the Bella 66. It features two apertures, a single shutter speed, and fixed focus. The only luxury on this camera is an accessory shoe. However, this accessory shoe can only be used to attach a flash since the absence of settings eliminates the need for a light meter or rangefinder.
In essence, it delivers the performance of a basic box camera but with the appearance of a compact camera and the square format of 6x6.

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