Photo thanks to Richard Spitzer
Home page was at http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/3120 (before 2/2003)- [email protected]
This Welta Perle is a nice example of a 6cm x 4.5cm folder camera (other
models did 6cm x 9cm images). Some models used masks to provide 6x9,
6x6 or 6x4.5cm images. The cameras were manufactured during the 1930s,
the hey-day of the folder camera genre. Today, you can often take some
surprisingly sharp photos and make enlargements (e.g., to 16x20) with
these older folder models. Note that you cannot use 220 film, due to
the red window at the rear which lets in light, plus 220 film is too
thick. The red window enables one to use the numbers printed on the
back of 120 film paper backing to align each exposure on the film
properly. On multiple format cameras, you often had multiple windows
to show the different numbering tracks, enabling you to see how far to
advance the film. Features we take for granted today, such as double
exposure prevention, were not part of many of these early designs. So
get into the habit of advancing the film after each exposure - or
else!
See the above links for related medium format cameras and resources.
Welta Perle with 7.5cm/2.9 Steinheil Munchen Cassar lens. Camera is 6x4.5 format. Lens is clear. Camera works on all shutter speeds.
From: "Charles Petzold" [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: 120 Folder
Date: 18 Jun 1998
> I have acquired a 120 Folding Camera, and hope to know more about it, > like year of manufacture etc. > Markings on Front leather says 'Perle' > on back leather says 'Welta' > It's a 6X4.5 camera. > The lens is Carl Zesis Jena Nr 2008032 Tessar 7.5cm 1:4.5 with aper down > to f22 > The shutter is a compur, B,T, 1- 1/250, I don't seem to be able to push > the shutter speeds to B or T. Any idea on how to use B and T ? Also on > the shutter is the word 'Welta' > > Thanks,
According to "McKeown's Price Guide to Antique & Classic Cameras," the
manufacturer is Welta Kamera-Werke of Germany. The Perle 4.5x6cm was
manufactured between 1934 and 1939.
-- Charles
End of Page