=anyone know what this is?=

[jgredline]

Hi Folks, While picking up a new bag at my local camera shop, some fellow came in with this camera. He let me take a pic of it. He was asking at the counter if anyone new what it was and nobody new. He said it was his fathers who passed away 15 years ago and was just now cleaning up his stuff.... Anyway, it was a really cool camera and it did use 35mm film. Looked to be in great shape....I offered him a hundred bucks for it, but he said it was not for sale.

[Xia_Ke]

Be thankful he turned you down. They can be had for a lot less on Ebay. The camera is a Balda Baldinette. Here's a link with some more info on it

http://www.thecamerasite.net/03_Fold...baldinette.htm

[jgredline]

Thanks Aaron,
I have since found that out. Still, I would not have used it, but kept it on my desk at work. I love old things like that, that where made using peoples hands.

[drg]

There were several varieties of these 'folders' made including some pretty good 120/620 cameras. The MF versions usually had the Compur shutters which were believed by many to be more durable that Prontor of similar vintage. The MF (often a 635 or even a true half frame) were had built in RF linkage. I've got a couple of variants of these lying around myself. I'll find a moment later and post a photo or so.

If the bellows hasn't gone on them and the patience exists these shutters are pretty simple to work on, but be warned they have springs that want to fly in random directions.

Those lenses by the way take great pictures if they aren't damaged and are aligned properly with the plane of the film.

Many of the Compur Rapid shutters were removed from this style of camera and mounted on larger bellows or even different sized film cameras including 4x5. Depend entirely on the lens.

They are as Aaron mentioned available for considerably less as you never know if the shutter works of the lens was a 'good' one or not.

[Xia_Ke]

Thanks Aaron,
I have since found that out. Still, I would not have used it, but kept it on my desk at work. I love old things like that, that where made using peoples hands.

Blasphemous! A camera like that needs to be used. Old cameras need love too ...LOL