Zeiss-Ikon
1955 Medium Format rangefinder 6x6 Hapo 66E / Balda Mess-Baldix. CLA'd, Freshley Serviced!
Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use
Did I hear you say you were looking for a classic medium format camera with a built in rangefinder? One that you can easily slip into an unused corner of your camera bag or backpack? A camera that will increase in value as the years go by? And most important of all, a lovely camera that will deliver lovely photo’s....?
Well, this is a freshly serviced Hapo 66E (which was rebranded 6x6 Balda camera). It was produced in Germany in circa 1955 and was designed to compete with the Zeiss-Ikon Mess Ikonta and the Agfa III Isolette. Like it’s competitors, it’s a medium format camera which uses 120 roll film and features a built in uncoupled rangefinder that indicates distance to your subject, which you then set the focus to.
It folds out to take 12 beautiful 6x6 cm exposures on normal 120 roll film. Bright exposures alive with all the vivid details, lovely colors and rich tonal range that only medium format can provide. When it comes to photography, bigger is better and this camera can produce a large negative that’s more than four times larger than the average 35mm snap-shot. The real appeal is that all of this is produced by a camera that folds up into a small package. So whether you're interesting in very fine grain, rich tonal values, saturated colors or big enlargements, this camera can do it all and its compact size will never give you a reason to leave it at home.
It’s a quality German model in near mint condition. The camera has been carefully Cleaned, Lubricated and Adjusted. The leatherette, the black lacquer and chrome trim is in great shape. The real leather bellows are supple and light tight. The view finder is very clean and clear. The built in rangefinder works smoothly, accurately and it’s easy to use.
The shutter has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted. The shutter works smoothly and all the speeds (B, 1/30th - 1/250th) are appropriate. It has flash connector and it’s been readjusted and tested and works with a normal electronic flash. The flash will fire correctly at any desired shutter speed. (This is of course very convenient for flash fill.)
The fine quality 3.5/75mm coated Haponar lens is a classic three element design based on the Cooke triplet. It has a lovely balance of sharpness, rendering and bokeh. The glass looks virtually like new. There are no scratches or cleaning marks and it’s capable of producing very lovely images with modern color and B&W films.
It comes complete with a brown leather case.
All in all a fine collectable classic camera that not only looks great, it deserves to be used regularly. Load it with your favorite film and keep it handy 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 medium format camera with you...
