Dacora Super Dignette

Photos by AV text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of AV. Last update 2023-03-24 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1958 to (Circa) 1960.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 5028

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 Dignette and Super Dignette are cameras that use 35mm film in the 135 cartridge format. The Super Dignette versions are equipped with a built-in coupled light meter, while among the Dignette models, there is at least one model with a light meter, although it may not be coupled.

The overall design of these cameras underwent a significant change in the late 1960s, adopting a more angular design.

Model	Years (c.)	Lens	Shutter

Dignette
Dignette	1955-58	(1)	(2)	Lever on top which has a specific shape
Dignette	1958-60	(1)	(2) to 1/250	Upper top
Dignette	c. 1960	(1)	(2) to 1/250	New top. Picture counter in a fake button.
Dignette	1960-62	(1)	(2) to 1/300	Top Front face with hubcap
Dignette	1962-64	(1)	(2)	Same shape of top, without fake button. , mais plus de faux bouton pour le compteur. Rewinding by crank
Dignette I	1964	Color-Subitar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 125	Simple camera
Dignette IF	1964	Color-Subitar	Prontor 125	like Dignette I, with bulb flash
Dignette IF	1964	Color-Subitar	Prontor 125	like Dignette I, with bulb flash
Dignette F	c.1966	Color-Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 125	Bulb Flash
Dignette L	1964-?	Color-Subitar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 250	non coupled lightmeter
Dignette E-M	c. 1962-64	(1)	Pronto	Coupled rangefinder
Dignette S-L	1964-?	(1)		non coupled lightmeter and timer
Dignette 125	c. 1968	Color-Isconar 2.8/40 mm	Prontor 125
Dignette S	1964-?	Cassar 2.8/45 mm	(2) Jusqu'au 1/250	Like Dignette, but with timer
Dignette 300	c. 1970	Color-Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 300 X
Dignette 300 L	c. 1970	Color-Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 300 X	non coupled lightmeter

Super Dignette (coupled lightmeter)
Super Dignette	1958-60	Dignar 3,5/45 mm	Vario-LK
Super Dignette	1958-60	Dignar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor-SLK
Super Dignette	1966-64	Cassar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 250 LK
Super Dignette E-B	1962-64	Cassar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor-LK	Coupled rangefinder
Super Dignette Electric-L	c. 1967	Color Trinon-Lanthan 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 300-E
Super Dignette Electric S	c. 1967		Prontor 500 S-E	Timer
Super Dignette Electric-CR	c. 1967	Color Isconar 2.8/45 mm	1/300	Coupled rangefinder
Super Dignette Electric-SR	c. 1967	Color Isconar 2.8/45 mm	Prontor 500 S-E	Timer and coupled rangefinder

1. Multiple lens options.
2. Multiple shutter options.

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Not yet translated into English

Les Super Dignette se distinguent des Dignette par un couplage complet du posemètre avec la vitesse d'obturation et l'ouverture de l'objectif. Une aiguille, visible dans le viseur, doit être amenée à coïncidence avec un repère en jouant sur les deux paramètres.

Les Super Dignette suivaient les évolutions des Dignettes. Ainsi, ce premier modèle présente le décrochement du capot à l'extrémité gauche, comme sur le Dignette de 1958.
Comme les Dignette, les Super Dignette présentent également plusieurs combinaisons objectif/obturateur.

Cet exemplaire a un objectif à trois lentilles, Dignar 3,5/45 mm et un obturateur Prontor-SLK. Son gainage, en synthétique, est de couleur gris foncé. Il lui manque l'étiquette donnant le nom du modèle et qui devrait se trouver sur le gainage, à main droite.

Ce modèle est très peu présent en France, car il date d'une époque où les importations étaient très contrôlées. A partir de 1960, les Dacora seront plus faciles à trouver en France.

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