Rare! 1936 Balda Baldaxette II, 6x6 Coupled Rangefinder camera, with fast 2.8 / 80mm Tessar lens! Freshly Serviced!, CLA'd

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

This is a rare 6x6 coupled rangefinder folding camera that was produced by the Balda Kamera-Werk in Dresden Germany in 1936. The Baldaxette II was a larger 6x6 version of the original 6x4.5 Baldaxette. The Baldaxette II was introduced in in 1938 and produced in a limited production run that ended abruptly in 1940 when the Balda factory was converted to produce equipment and armaments for the Nazi war effort. The factory was it was destroyed during the fire-bombing of Dresden in February of 1945. Needless to say, the low production numbers and low survival rate of this model makes this a very difficult to find camera, especially in this condition. This is one of the nicest examples I’ve ever seen. (I’ve been collecting cameras for nearly 50 year.)

Despite being unknown to most camera collectors, the Baldaxette had a host of high spec features that allowed it to compete successfully against its competition. So why don’t we hear more about them today? I think it’s a combination of Balda’s small production run and very faithful owners that more often than not, simply used these cameras over many years until they eventually wore out.

The Baldaxette features a coupled rangefinder and a parallax compensating viewfinder. Simply stated this improves viewfinder accuracy and insures you don’t cut off heads when working in close. How? Well the viewfinder is linked to the rangefinder via a surprisingly effective mechanism. When the camera is focused to infinity the viewfinder is aimed normally but as focus is set closer the viewfinder progressively and automatically swings downwards and to the right. This provides a much more accurate image of what the lens will record. This is a very rare feature in prewar camera design, and I can’t think of another 6x6 rangefinder camera that has it.   

Another nice feature is that the lens and shutter move together as a unit when focusing. This provides better lens performance (especially up close) than the more common “front cell focus” in which only the front element is turned in or out. In addition to that the rangefinder makes focusing quick and easy with its colored guides built into it that helps the user line things up quickly and accurately. 

Want more? How about a unique ratcheting winder? It also has a very strong die cast door to protect the lens and shutter. And the body mounted shutter release automatically retracts when the lens door is closed… this creates a smooth top deck and a camera that’s easy to slide into a pocket. Because of these features and the low production numbers the prewar Balda Baldaxette will always be very desirable and hard to find cameras.

The camera in this listing was the top-of-the-line model and it featured the finest Zeiss lens and shutter available. Additionally, it’s been cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. It’s in clean, collectable and usable condition, about a 9 ½ nine on a scale of one to ten. The leather is all original and intact. The chrome trim is lovely and considering it survived WWII here in Europe, I doubt you’ll ever a finer example.

The Compur-Rapid shutter was the best of its era and it works very well and all 10 speeds (B & 1 sec to 1/400^th are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along nicely and the fast speeds are clean and snappy. The rangefinder image is easy to see and use and never leave you guessing about distance or focus. The bellows are supple and light tight.

The lens is a top-quality Carl Zeiss Tessar f2.8/80mm. It’s in exceptionally fine condition and looks like new. It’s clean and clear. There are no scratches or polishing marks and it’s capable of producing beautiful photos with modern 120 color and B&W films.

All in all a very lovely collectable classic camera. Better hurry though, because to be honest I’m extremely very tempted to add it to my own collection! But if you do buy it, be sure to load it with your favorite film and keep it with you for that perfect shot you’ve been looking for. You know the one... the one with the perfect Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing that you had a classic camera with you.