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German Strut-folder TLRs (1930s)

The three Welta/Zeh cameras on this page represent the flowering of a unique style of TLR pioneered by two German firms in Dresden in the 1930s. The concept was to combine the perceived control/focusing benefits of the TLR with the pocket size of a folder. It doesn't quite work, because of the bulk of the top viewfinder. This, and the cost of engineering them (all three have excellent quality lenses and shutters for their time), made these models a development blind alley, but they are beautiful to look at and play with!

The French Cornu Ontoflex - see my French TLRs page - has a similar rotating back to the Superfekta providing 6x9 frame alternatives.

If you find any errors on this page or have any camera I might be interested in, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. Click on the small "thumbnail" pictures below to go to larger ones.

Welta Perfekta


Folding TLR, Freital (Dresden suburb), c1934. 6x6 on 120 film. Strut-folding for compactness. A lovely piece of Teutonic engineering in fine condition.
Taking Lens Meyer 75mm f3.5 Trioplan.
Compur shutter: speeds 1 to 1/300.

Welta Superfekta


Large folding TLR, from Welta at Freital, c1932. 6x9 on 120 film. Strut-folding, back rotates to orient film. A beautiful beast in lovely condition!
Taking Lens Zeiss Tessar 105mm f3.5.
Compur Rapid shutter: speeds 1 to 1/400.

Zeh Zecaflex


Folding TLR, Dresden, c1937. 6x6 / 120 film. Like the Weltas, a technological dead end. Expensive to make and it generated only moderate sales.
Taking Lens Schneider Xenar 75mm f3.5.
Compur Rapid shutter: speeds 1 to 1/400.