Superb! 1937 Welta Trio 6x9 / 6x4.5 Medium Format Folder, original (and rare) reduction mask, Freshly Serviced, CLA'd!

Cleaned, Lubricated & Adjusted. Ready for immediate use

If you’ve seen our auctions before you’ll know that we service and sell prewar Contax rangefinders, Ikonta, Super Ikonta, Bessa and other classic cameras. I love using these cameras but as a collector I’m also interested other collectable brands and models as well. Frankly, classic cameras don’t always need to cost a small fortune to be enjoyable. The important thing is that you find a good example that’s in good shape and working correctly. There are many reasonably priced collectables that will deliver lovely results and a lot of fun.

With this in mind let me introduce you to a perfect example of what I’m talking about. In this listing we have a lovely Welta Trio built in Germany in the mid 1930’s, which uses normal 120 roll-film Like many of the more expensive cameras of this period, it features black lacquer finished trim, embossed real leather covering and crisp chrome edges. Chrome was considered a luxury item in the 1930’s and it’s use clearly signified that this was a high-end camera.  

This one has been carefully cleaned, lubricated and adjusted and everything works as it should. The lens on this camera is particularly nice, it’s a 3.8/105mm Rodenstock Trinar.  It’s a lens based on the classic Cooke triplet. Stopped down it is very sharp. Wide open, it has a rendition and a very lovely rounded look (good bokeh) making it especially effective for portraits. The lens is exceptionally clean and clear and looks like new. There are no scratches, no cleaning marks and it’s capable of producing lovely photos with modern color and B&W films.

This lens is set into a quality Compur shutter. The shutter works well and all speeds (T, B & 1 sec – 1/250^th) are appropriate. The slow speeds buzz along smoothly and the fast speeds are clean and snappy.  The real leather bellows are in great shape and completely light tight.

When it comes to photography, bigger is better and with this camera you can create a 6x9 negative that is about 6 times larger than the average 35mm snapshot. So, whether you’re interested in very large prints, very fine grain, rich tonal gradations or lovely colors this camera will do all of that and may just become your favorite classic photographic companion.

It comes complete with its original (and rare) reduction mask which enables this camera to produce 6x9 and 6x4.5 negatives.

All in all, a very beautiful vintage camera. 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 clouds that leaves you wishing you had a classic medium format camera with you.