2026-09-09 Balda Juwella Camera

The Balda Juwella 6x9 cm folding roll film camera was available with either f/6.3 or f/4.5 Juwella Anastigmat lenses. This camera was only made for one year (1933)—perhaps because the Balda-Werk turned 25-years old that year. There is a later 35 mm folder named the “Jubilette” sold in 1938 to celebrate the Balda-Werk’s 30^th anniversary.

The Juwella has two methods of framing the subject…

There is a pivoting reflex frame finder on the front standard

…as well as a pop-up metal frame on the case.

The shutter speeds are rim set along the top, between the self cocking shutter arm (left) and the reflex finder. Along the bottom there are f/stops from f/4.5 to f/32. In between the lens can be twist focused from infinity to 2 meters.

Both infinity and the 2 meter setting have post stops. You can see the red arrow for distance setting, the chrome arrow for shutter speeds and the black indicator with a white line for setting the f/stop.

There is a small chrome catch just above the catch for the fold down front.

This fitting takes the head of a cable release. Once set up this way the camera has a body release for the shutter!

To open the fold down bed there is a release next to the advance key for the film on the camera body.

The tripod bushing on the body is located slightly off center further down from the advance key.

There is a second off center tripod bushing on the fold-down door of the camera.

The camera’s name “Juwella” is embossed into the leather of one end.

And the manufacturer’s name “Balda” is on the other end.

The back release is a very small chrome tab that has a arrow indicating the direction to move the tab to open the back.

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