Voigtländer Bessa I Analogue camera
Opens tomorrow
Starting bid
€ 1
Add to your favourites to get an alert when the auction starts.
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 129059 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Description from the seller
Step back in time with this authentic Vintage Voigtländer Bessa I folding camera. A true icon of West German post-war engineering, the Bessa I is celebrated for its elegant design and the ability to produce large, high-quality negatives. Produced in the famous Braunschweig factory, this camera represents the pinnacle of the classic folding camera era before the industry shifted toward 35mm SLRs. It is a perfect find for collectors, medium-format enthusiasts, or as a sophisticated mechanical display piece.
Key Benefits
Historical Significance: A legendary model from one of the world's oldest and most prestigious optical manufacturers.
Versatile Format: Designed as a dual-format camera, capable of producing large 6x9 or 6x4.5 negatives on 120 roll film.
German Precision: Features the robust build quality and smooth mechanical operation that Voigtländer is world-renowned for.
Vintage Charm: Boasts a stunning mid-century aesthetic with its satin chrome top plate, black leatherette covering, and iconic folding bellows system.
Features
Camera Type: Medium format folding viewfinder camera.
Lens: High-quality Voigtländer Vaskar 1:4.5/105mm lens, known for its classic vintage rendering.
Shutter: Precision Prontor-S shutter with speeds ranging from 1 second to 1/250 second, plus B (Bulb).
Film Format: Uses 120 roll film (6x9 cm or 6x4.5 cm with mask).
Viewfinder: Integrated eye-level optical viewfinder with parallax correction markings.
Construction: Solid metal body with high-grade black leatherette and a top-mounted accessory shoe.
Condition
Rated 3.5/5. This camera is in good cosmetic condition. The chrome top plate and base show minor surface scratches and light wear consistent with its age. The black leatherette is fully intact and well-preserved. The bellows appear to be in good visual condition, though light-tightness is untested. The lens glass shows some internal dust. Mechanical parts, including the shutter and folding mechanism, appear to operate, but full functionality is untested. It is sold as a collectible or display item.
What's Included
Voigtländer Bessa I folding camera body.
Integrated Voigtländer Vaskar 4.5/105mm lens.
Original integrated Prontor-S shutter.
Bonus: Includes a set of vintage filters and a lens hood in a protective case.
Why This Product?
The Voigtländer Bessa I is a tangible piece of history, offering a window into the golden age of medium-format photography. It is an exceptional acquisition for anyone curating a collection of classic European folders or seeking a distinctive decorative item that exudes vintage professional character and German craftsmanship.
Keywords
Voigtländer Bessa I, folding camera, medium format, 120 film camera, German engineering, vintage photography, Vaskar lens, Prontor shutter, 6x9 camera, collector's camera.
Step back in time with this authentic Vintage Voigtländer Bessa I folding camera. A true icon of West German post-war engineering, the Bessa I is celebrated for its elegant design and the ability to produce large, high-quality negatives. Produced in the famous Braunschweig factory, this camera represents the pinnacle of the classic folding camera era before the industry shifted toward 35mm SLRs. It is a perfect find for collectors, medium-format enthusiasts, or as a sophisticated mechanical display piece.
Key Benefits
Historical Significance: A legendary model from one of the world's oldest and most prestigious optical manufacturers.
Versatile Format: Designed as a dual-format camera, capable of producing large 6x9 or 6x4.5 negatives on 120 roll film.
German Precision: Features the robust build quality and smooth mechanical operation that Voigtländer is world-renowned for.
Vintage Charm: Boasts a stunning mid-century aesthetic with its satin chrome top plate, black leatherette covering, and iconic folding bellows system.
Features
Camera Type: Medium format folding viewfinder camera.
Lens: High-quality Voigtländer Vaskar 1:4.5/105mm lens, known for its classic vintage rendering.
Shutter: Precision Prontor-S shutter with speeds ranging from 1 second to 1/250 second, plus B (Bulb).
Film Format: Uses 120 roll film (6x9 cm or 6x4.5 cm with mask).
Viewfinder: Integrated eye-level optical viewfinder with parallax correction markings.
Construction: Solid metal body with high-grade black leatherette and a top-mounted accessory shoe.
Condition
Rated 3.5/5. This camera is in good cosmetic condition. The chrome top plate and base show minor surface scratches and light wear consistent with its age. The black leatherette is fully intact and well-preserved. The bellows appear to be in good visual condition, though light-tightness is untested. The lens glass shows some internal dust. Mechanical parts, including the shutter and folding mechanism, appear to operate, but full functionality is untested. It is sold as a collectible or display item.
What's Included
Voigtländer Bessa I folding camera body.
Integrated Voigtländer Vaskar 4.5/105mm lens.
Original integrated Prontor-S shutter.
Bonus: Includes a set of vintage filters and a lens hood in a protective case.
Why This Product?
The Voigtländer Bessa I is a tangible piece of history, offering a window into the golden age of medium-format photography. It is an exceptional acquisition for anyone curating a collection of classic European folders or seeking a distinctive decorative item that exudes vintage professional character and German craftsmanship.
Keywords
Voigtländer Bessa I, folding camera, medium format, 120 film camera, German engineering, vintage photography, Vaskar lens, Prontor shutter, 6x9 camera, collector's camera.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Brand
Voigtländer
Model/type nr
Bessa I
Physical condition
Very good
Functional condition
Tested and working
Film type
35mm
Estimated period
1950-1960
Sold by
