Help me please!

[ben_phoenix]

<p>We were tidying up and came across one of these<br /> <br /> <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OecuVMiYiEQ/SK6kVUSkU8I/AAAAAAAAAas/IEgkVl0PBVU/s1600/Bessa-1smal.jpg" alt="" width="404" height="709" /> <br /> <br /> The details i could find (in german) were this<br /> <br /> <br /> Hersteller: Voigtländer - Braunschweig<br /> Baujahr: 1929<br /> Film: Rollfilm 120, Format 6x9 cm<br /> Objektiv: Voigtar, F = 10,5, 7,7 - 11 - 22<br /> Verschluss: Gauthier , 1/25 -1/ 50 - 1/100 sek, B u, T<br /> Beschreibung: kein Klappsucher, schwenkbarer Briliantsucher</p>

<p>Just wondering if someone could give me a brief background on what this is and if its worth anything</p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

[zane1664879013]

<p>Sounds like an old (German) folding camera. Posting a small pic would help. You can still get 120 roll film, so if it's usable or repairable, you can still take it shooting!</p>

[ben_phoenix]

<p>i did post a picture of it that i found on the internet,<br>

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OecuVMiYiEQ/SK6kVUSkU8I/AAAAAAAAAas/IEgkVl0PBVU/s1600/Bessa-1smal.jpg</p>

<p>theres a link to the picture if it didnt show up. it looks exactly like that. im not that much into photography myself so id rather sell it on to someone who'd make a use of it and was just really wondering if its worth any money to auction off or if its just some old junk to throw in the bin.<br>

Someone said to me that it looks like the first version of the Voightlander Bessa from 1929.. but that means nothing to me, im a photography noob lol</p>

[Rob_the_waste]

<p>Well Ben, the link that you posted seems to be dead. With a roll of ASA 100, you can still get something useful out of this camera. The lens will be uncoated. My German isn't very good. For the most part I can make it out. <br /> Manufacturer; Voigtlander of Braunschweig (Brunswick)<br /> Baujahr; Manufactured in 1929<br /> Film; Rollfilm type 120, Format 6x9 means you'll get 8 frames (6x9cm) per roll of film.<br /> Objectiv; Lens is a Voigtar f7.7/10.5cm (base level lens, higher end is Skopar, highest is Heliar)<br /> Verschluss; Gauthier Shutter, speeds are 1/25 sec. 1/50 sec. 1/100 sec. B, T. A base level shutter<br /> The "suchern" refers to the viewfinders. This is where my German lets me down. "kein Klappsucher" means<br /> no flip up viewfinder, the other part I can't quite figure out. For what it's worth, it's a base level camera which won't have much collector value to it. Go to a pro camera store and just pick up a roll of Fuji Reala 100. Set your shutter speed at 1/100, your aperture at f/11, and let her rip. You might be pleasantly surprised. The camera will need a take up spool which is an empty 120 roll. They can be switched from one spindle to the other. The side with the knob or wheel is the take up side. If you've been told it looks like an old Bessa, then it is indeed a folder. You'll get a few bucks for it, but not too much.</p>

[diser]

<p>Looking at the Google's like you gave us. It has Bessa name in it. The only Bessa in 1929 was the original one, 6x9 with brilliant finder. Here are several auction results for this camera:<br>

<a href="http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Voigtlander/Bessa.html">http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Voigtlander/Bessa.html</a></p>

 

[ernest-b]

<p>Rob, "schwenkbarer Briliantsucher" just means "pivot-able" or "rotate-able" brilliant-finder (i.e., the same type of magnified-mirror finder that was used on most folding cameras of that era). Because the finder can be rotated 90 degrees sideways, it can accomodate either a vertical or a horizontal orientation of the camera.</p>

<p>If you're not already aware of this, a really invaluable online resource--maybe the best of its kind--can be found here:</p>

<p>http://dict.leo.org/?lang=en</p>

[ernest-b]

<p>Rob, I just re-read my own post of a little while ago, and feel I should clarify.</p>

<p>When I wrote, "If you're not already aware of this...", I was referring merely to the online availability of LEO (not to the arcana of viewfinders or vintage cameras--of which, obviously, you are well aware). Regards.</p>

<p> </p>

[Rob_the_waste]

<p>Thank you Ernest. I've saved the page.</p>