The above timetable for Welta is also an example of the changes that many companies went through in Germany in the past 100 years or so. Welta was founded by Walther Waurich und Theodor Weber and in those early years they manufactured app. 8 different plate cameras which in turn was modified and adapted according to customer specifications. In 1937 they introduced the Weltini I which was followed only one year later by the Weltini II. After the II world war the production facilities were dismantled and shipped off to Russia, however they were able to go back in business in 1947. In 1950 C. Richter in Tharandt were expropriated and merged with VEB Welta and thus including the Reflekta I (1949) and Reflekta II (1950) in the Welta range of cameras which also included the Weltax and the Welti. In 1954 came the Weltaflex. Finally in 1959 they became part of the VEB conglomerate.

Weltaflex (1950 - 1955) TLR
Serial no.: 12/0661
Format:  6 x 6 on 120 rollfilm
Optics: Meyer-Optik Trioplan 1:3,5  75mm
Shutter:  Vebur B + 1 sec. => 1/250 sec.

Actually I had 2 Weltaflex'es until just recently. The one shown above, which are missing the top lens marking ring, I had kept for spares as my other Weltaflex was in mint condition. Then I agreed to sell the spare Reflekta to a 18 year old kid, but somehow I got the 2 cameras mixed up, and shipped him the mint camera in stead. Now i'm stuck with this one, but allthough all functions are 100% OK I am looking for another one at the moment. The Weltaflex are a well build TLR with double exposure prevention and flash sync socket.. The view in the folding viewfinder are not that bright but acceptable and apart from folding down to a rapid shot viewfinder it is also fitted with a magnifying glass, just like on the Rolleiflex'es. A small sliding knob on the back of the viewfinder makes parallax correction possible when using the rapid shot viewfinder. The Weltaflex are a nice TLR, and just the kind of TLR I would recommend a newcomer to medium format photography. It's cheap, reliable and quite pretty. The mirror on the Weltaflex have a tendency to deteriorate, but it is very easy to fit a new mirror in just a couple of minutes.

Weltax (1946 - 1950) VF
Serial no.: n/a
Format:  6 x 6 or 4,5 x 6 on 120 rollfilm (mask)
Optics: Meyer-Optik Trioplan 1:3,5  75mm
Shutter:  Junior B + 1/25 + 1/50 + 1/100 sec.

The Weltax are are very well built medium format viewfinder camera, which were produced both before and after the war, and for years they were actually assembled at the Rheinmetall-Werk in Sömmerda. My Weltax is post-war, and unfortunately only with the very self-cocking simple Junior shutter. If you should want a Weltax, go for one with a Tempor or Pronto shutter in stead. I don't think that my Weltax has ever been used, but the pictures above does not show this properly..  As shown on the bottom photo there are 2 options for settings on the viewfinder; a mask for the chosen format, and a simple 2 position parallax correction. If you are looking for a very solid medium format folder the Weltax should be on your list.

Welti Ic (1956 - 1968) VF
Serial no.: n/a
Format:  24 x 36 on 35 mm film
Optics: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1:2,8  50 mm
Shutter:  Vebur  B + 1 sec. => 1/250

Both the Welti I and the Welti Ic are clearly inspired by the Kodak Retinas and allthough they are not of Kodak quality they are nice little folders.The Welti I was produced until 1950 followed by the Welti Ic. As often found on Welta cameras the is a simple parallax correction and a depth-of-field scale on the back. It even has an exposure lock placed next to the release button. There isn't really that much to say about the Welti Ic other than the Tessar gives you razor sharp negatives. When finding a secondhand Welti Ic, please be sure to check the shutter linkage from the top cover to the release tab on the shutter housing.

The Welta Weltini

I feel compelled to write a short introduction about the 2 versions of the Welta Weltini. Allthough the two versions were only manufactured for app. 4 years they are among the most perfect examples of exquisit German craftmanship and quality. No other later Welta cameras came even close to the quality of the pre- and wartime Weltinis. The build-quality, the design, the finish and the choice of lenses are truly outstanding. I have seen Weltinis fitted with the Zeiss Tessar, the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar and the magnificent Xenon, the Leitz Elmar and even with the Steinheil Triplar. If You wan't a 35mm folder that in my honest opinion are among the top 5 (maybe even Top 3 !) folders ever made, You should go for a mint example, and pay the price. It's worth evry Cent.

Neither the Model I or model II had accessoryshoe fitted from the factory. However it seems like some were fitted with the sync-socket for flash, but I have no detailed informations as to which models or when. The sync-sockets could have been retrofitted or been depending on the choice of shutters. If anyone could give additional informations about this I would be happy to hear about it. 

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Weltini I (1937 - 1938) RF
Serial no.: n/a
Format:  24 x 36 on 35 mm film
Optics: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessa 1:2,8  50mm
Shutter:  Compur Rapid T + B + 1 sec. => 1/500 sec.
Misc.: Coupled rangefinder

The Weltini I is a truly great folding rangefinder from Welta, who only made 1 camera that was nicer, the Weltini II. The build quality is superb, and both the design and materials are made to last forever. Is has a bright viewfinder, a clear rangefinder view and a comfortable focussing knob on the lens. Wind- and rewind knobs are underneath the camera body just like the frame counter. The Weltini has another unique feature: Unlike the Kodak Retinas, on which you have to set the lens to infinity before folding and closing the cover, the Welta Weltini returns and resets the lens to infinity automatically. Unfortunately the previous owner, a complete idiot, have fitted an accessory shoe on top, and thus covering the beautiful depth-of-field scale. However I love this high quality folder just as much anyway !

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Weltini II (1937 - 1941) RF
Serial no.: n/a
Format:  24 x 36 on 35 mm film
Optics: Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 1: 2,0  50 mm
Shutter:  Compur Rapid T + B + 1 sec. => 1/500 sec.
Misc.: Coupled rangefinder

It just doesn't get much better than this you know. The camerabody on the Weltini II is identical with the model I except for the top- and bottom covers. The rounded top cover are made in polished steel on the front and back, and anodized on top. View- and rangefinder views are just as good and bright as on the model I. The wind- and rewind knobs have been made thinner, and the frame counter have been moved to the top just next to the depth-of-field table. It offers the same feature as the Model I, resetting the lens to infinity automatically. The choice of lenses on the Weltini included Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar and Xenon, Tessars and amazingly enough a Leitz Elmar 1:3,5 50mm !!. This just goes to prove, that even Leitz gave this magnificent camera their almost un-obtainable sign of approval. Today the Weltini with the Elmar are extremely rare and sought after by collectors. I can highly recommend the Weltini II and if you adore folders just as much as I do, the Weltini is simply a must to own, and you don't have to be the least bit embarrased to let it accompany your Leica anywhere. This camera can be highly recommended !!