Can anyone help identify the Camera?

[xbow]

This is a picture of my Sis and I in 1969. Can anyone help me identify the

camera I am holding? I loved that camera, but I am not sure if I ever knew the

make!

 

 

Thanks in advance!<div></div>

[charles_stobbs3]

An Agfa of some kind?

[franklin_h1]

Agfa Silette?

[steven_p]

Perhaps a Kodak, Pony?

[kevin h. y. lui.]

From the leather case of that camera, I guess, it might not be either Agfa or Kodak. Will it possible to be Braun's camera?

[patrick j dempsey]

Maybe it will get you closer to identify specific qualities of the photo. For instance, the size indicates its either a 127 or 135 camera. 127 cameras were typically square format, and only sometimes rectangular, so based on the viewfinder winder, more than likely its a 135 camera. Secondly it DOES have a protruding square section around the shutter like the Kodak Pony and Agfa Silette, however unlike those cameras it appears to be matte black instead of shiney alumninum. On most cameras in this style that I have seen, this section is "chrome" (usually aluminum)... also notice that unlike the Kodak Pony, that section appears to be very square more like the Silette... on the Pony that section was tapered and curved. So that section is black as opposed to chrome and square as opposed to tapered. It might be possible that on some cameras this section was made it both chrome and black. A third clue is the placement of the shutter release. Both the Silette and the Pony have a shutter release on the top-plate, whereas this one appears to be coming out of the shutter itself. We can also assume that this camera does not have a rangefinder.

<br><br>

Other details are harder to make out in the photo... for instance it is hard to tell the exact shape of th viewfinder housing... is it rectangular, or does it have angled sides? Also, is there an accessory shoe on top? (It looks like there might be) Another thing that sticks out in my mind is the smoothness of the top-plate. There doesnt seem to be any sign of an advance knob... so this camera probably had an advance lever.

<br><br>

The case might provide some clues as well. The white or very light tan or light colored case might be a little rare... you certainly dont see many from that period surviving today. In the center of the case there looks like the impression of a company logo. The shape of the impression is curved top and bottom and flat sides... similar to the Zeiss Ikon logo, (which is based on the design of the cemented element in the Zeiss Tessar lens):

<br><br>

<img src="http://www.camera-werks.com/ZeissIkon-Logo.jpg">

<br><br>

Olympus also used a similar logo on their earliest cameras, called the OIO logo:

<br><br>

<img src="http://www.rolandandcaroline.co.uk/assets/images/olympus35case.jpg">

<br><br>

This impression may or may not be a place for a logo and may just be a false lead. If it IS, it probably excludes Agfa (and Ansco) cameras because the Agfa logo was a diamond. Similarily Kodak cameras were either marked with a circle containing the word "Kodak" or a circle containing the letters "EKC" for Eastman Kodak Company.

<br><br>

Sorry I dont have any suggestions for which model this might be, but I hope these observations help narrow down the options!

[rustys pics]

Yes! That is a 127 Bilora Bella from about 1957. It was a really cool looking blue-grey color. Someone gave me one back in 1985 and I ran a couple of rolls of Kodacolor through it. You could probably find one on FlEaBay for little money. Check out this weblink for more info:

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/bella/

[roseberry guitars]

That must be it for sure Russ. My parents have one like that. Here's a French site with a little info as well.

 

http://photo.even.free.fr/Photos/_ColApp/APP0357.php

[john_shaeffer2]

Here it is with its case.

[kevin h. y. lui.]

Hey, the case has 4 pins, but the Bella only have 3!

The size, I guess, it should be a 135 format. The view finder is in rectangular format.

[Matthew Currie]

Scott's picture of the Bella 46 shows a rectangular format, so it must have come in more than one flavor.

[rustys pics]

Nifty little camera. This post inspired me to dig mine out of the basement. Lost the case a while back. It was unassuming brown leatherette. The light gray looks better. Now that I've got some Efke 127 black and white film I'll give it a roll.<div></div>

[rustys pics]

Forgot to mention, mine is rectangular format too. I think Roger Hicks did an article on these cameras in Shutterbug within the last 4 years.

[ralf_j.]

Russ, what a beauty.

[john_shaeffer2]

http://www.chromeagecamera.com/Bella.htm

 

A good page on the different variations of Biloras.

[h._p.]

I'd go for a Bilora too. As far as I recall, Biloras were sold exclusively through the Boots Chemist chain in the UK and I distinctly remember that the ERCs were grey, which would fit with the tone of the one in the picture. Later Bilora 35s, as sold by Boots, had a front mounted shutter release, which resembled the angled style found on the Pentacon/Praktica ranges but actually was pressed directly downwards like a body top release. Odd but surprisingly effective.

[dominique_foucault]

Probably a BILORA Bella D (around 1956 )127 film size.

[bill_delehanty1]

The Bilora Bella was also sold in the USA as the Ansco Lancer. There is a picture of it at:

 

http://www.merrillphoto.com/AnscoLancer.htm

[mark_medin]

A Bilora Bella just showed up on that unnameable auction site. It does look to be an excellent match to the above. As soon as I saw it, it hit me that it was exactly the camera I saw here in the photo.

[xbow]

Thanks to all for your help!