Balda Frontbox

Specification

Art Deco Credentials

Noteworthy: Worth giving special attention

• Produced during the main Art Deco period;
• Each face embossed with rectangular pattern;
• Left and right sides embossed with 'Balda' in Art Deco font;
• Chrome name plate on front;
• Winged pattern on front name plate;
• Chrome border around the front panel;
• Chrome circles around lens and viewfinders.
• Grooved leather strap;
• Bright metal winder.

Description

The Balda Frontbox was one of a series of 'Frontbox' cameras manufactured from about 1932. They are fairly plain cameras with very little adornment. Each face of the box has a rectangular pattern embossed into the leatherette. The left and right sides of the camera have the name 'Balda' embossed in the leatherette. The box is made of pressed metal which is lined and lacquered in black. Two tripod sockets are provided for landscape and portrait views. It has a real leather handle with parallel grooves on it. The chrome finishing touches to the front of the camera make this a very attractive piece.

The lens is a simple meniscus with an aperture having two stops of f/13 and f/18, operated by a pull-out tab. The shutter is a double acting rotary, so the shutter button returns to its resting position (upwards) once released, without causing double exposure. A pull-out tab above the shutter release enables you to select Instantaneous or Timed(bulb) mode. The speed of the shutter on this camera was measured as 1/30 sec. It has a connection socket for cable release. It has an s-shaped knob to wind the film and the film is advanced from frame to frame using the red window.

A fairly unique feature of this camera is the provision of a special key to aid the loading of the film. The key is held in a slot to avoid losing it. It is used to advance and secure the film onto the spool before inserting the film carrier into the camera. Rather neat I think.

How to Use

This camera takes 120 film which is easily available.