Superb! 1936 Voigtlander “Baby Bessa“ 66, 6x6 camera, Skopar lens, CLA'd, Freshly Serviced!

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use!

This is an exceptionally fine Voigtlander 6x6 medium format camera which was produced in Braunschweig Germany circa 1936. The camera was called the “Klein-Bessa” and was designed as a companion for the larger 6x9 Bessa. “Klein” means small in German and with small in mind, Voigtlander designed the smallest 6x6 in mind. It’s so small that a roll of 120 film just barely fits into this camera. In fact you have to swing the film clips up and out of the camera, to insert a roll of film between them and then fold it back in. This isn’t difficult but it does illustrate to what extent the designers went to make sure everything was as compact as possible.

This version is popular with owners and photographers and it’s easy to see why. It is certainly one of the nicest, smallest and best handling 6x6 cameras ever built. I especially love the sculpted lines of the lens door, the smooth ergonomics and the quirky styling.

Folded up it slides easily into a pocket. Unfolded it takes 12 beautiful 6x6 exposures on a 120 roll film. Bright exposures alive with all the vivid details and rich saturated colors that only medium format can provide. When it comes to photography, bigger is better and this camera will produce a negative that’s more than four times larger than the average 35mm snapshot. It’s a negative that will provide fine grain, great tonal values and lovely colors.

If all this sounds good… it gets even better. This camera has auto-stop winding! Which was always a rare and expensive feature. This means you don’t have to look at the red counter window. Simply wind film until the knob locks and you’re ready for another exposure!

This Bessa 66 is in superb condition. It’s been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted.

Everything works well and should continue to do so for many years to come. The leather bellows are completely light tight. The quality Compur shutter works well and all speeds (B, 1 Sec – 1/300th) speeds are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along nicely and the fast speeds are clean and snappy.

The lens is a sharp f3.5/75mm Voigtlander Skopar (a wonderful four element lens very similar to the Zeiss Tessar) capable of excellent performance). It’s exceptionally clean and looks like new. There are no scratches or cleaning marks and it’s capable of producing lovely images with modern color and black & white film.

It also comes with its original hinged yellow filter. (Great for B&W and easily flips out of the way when shooting color.)

All in all, it’s a wonderful little camera. Load it with your favorite film and you’ll have the perfect companion for that perfect shot. You know the one… the one with the Ansel Adams light breaking through the dark storm clouds that leaves you wishing had a medium format camera with you.