Balda Pontina and the HaPo 10

Here is a fun little write up that I recently did on a pair of late 1930's vintage 6x9 folders that are essentially the same camera under different branding. Both proved to be fun to shoot with but only one of the two won me over with its surprisingly good results with color film, despite having an uncoated lens.

http://quirkyguywithacamera.blogspot.com/2014/12/deja-vu-prewar-photographic-pair-of.html

Has anyone else found some under-appreciated folding cameras from prior to World War II from which they got great results?

I haver two Nettars from the mid 1930s that I regularly use - one full frame (6x9) and one half frame (6x4.5). Both are excellent with colour film - the lenses are corrected for panchromatic film so are good for colour film.

Only difference having uncoated lenses makes for me is that I cannot shoot contra jour with them, which is my favoured style.

I have a non-super Ikonta from 1937 that has an excellent lens. It was among the first Zeiss Ikons that I bought around 2000. It has a very clean Tessar that always impresses me with its resolving power.

I think that I paid $75 for it. It's never let me down, although I occasionally forget what kind of film I've loaded into it.

have a look at my comparison page http://www.120folder.com/compa.htm . there is a nice certo super sport dolly from the 30s and the makinas as well. and plenty of good stuff from the 40s and 50s.

thanks for sharing your deep enquiry about the Balda Pontina and the HaPo 10.

I love to see others who enjoy shooting these vintage folding cameras as well! When I show most people (including people who even shoot film) these cameras, they look at me as if I have sprung some bizarre contraption upon them. And I never cease to be amazed that I can get some really great photos from a 75 year old machine that lacks any batteries!

Thanks for the link and chart xya! I almost felt compelled to do something similar with the ones I've picked up. I've only gotten one Rangefinder style (a Super Ikonta) thus far, and am awaiting the initial results from it. I still need to get the time to fully put it through its paces.