Balda Juwella

[David]

In September 2011 I won two 6X9 folders on eBay. The first, the 515-2 I posted photos of earlier today, and this Balda Juwella.

This is a curious camera with a keyhole-type accessory clip. I've never seen a single accessory for it (and honestly wouldn't know what to look for if I did see one.)

Camerapedia refers to this camera as a monkey box, and I think that's about right. Countless Juwella variations exist with differences as minor as the detail on the shutter face or as major as lens and shutter make. It's got a good lens and stops down from 1:6.3 to 1:32. THe DoF at 1:32 is pretty spectacular. And the Rodenstock lens does just fine in terms of image quality.

Here are some photos of it:

1


2

Strut detail

3

Shutter detail. The diamonds are very art deco. Very.

4

The Juwella is coming to trample your neighborhood!

5

It's been pretty well used, but still delivers pleasing results.

6


And what about image quality? Here are some samples.

8 (Fuji Velvia 50)


9 (Fuji Velvia 50, 1:32)


10 (Fuji Velvia 50)


For color, it desaturates the images a LOT. I mean, heck, this was VELVIA and the images look that desaturated with no post-processing to that effect. Blak and white it treats pretty nicely, though.

11


12


And I have a roll of Kodak 350D (35mm) that I ran through the camera still to develop. It's a nice camera and I really enjoy using it. If you have the opportunity to get one for a reasonable price (mine was $11 or so, but I see them for up to $150 in good physical condition), then it's a worthy folder.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I have a Franka Rolfix with the same Trinar and I like it, contrast is lower but stopped down to a sensible aperture it's a good, sharp lens.

I agree, these older folders are so cheap and so capable, they make great photographic tools.