(PLEASE READ ENTIRELY Before asking me questions, the following may provide you with everything you may need to know about this camera)
…This is a Certo Dollina II rangefinder camera made in Dresden, Germany by Certo Camera Werk from 1937 to 1938. Equipped w/a Compur-Rapid 500, T, B, 1 – 1/500 seconds and a 5cm f/2.9 uncoated Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar. Coupled Split Window Rangefinder. It takes 135 (35mm film). Includes original “Sport” strap.
Manual: https://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/dollian03.pdf
Condition… What we had performed on this unit and our observations: Shutter mechanism has been cla’d however the lever that controls the B and T settings is beyond repair due to normal (miss?) – use, age, etc. Therefore bulb and time modes are the same and it takes a few tries for the shutter to engage in Bulb. This affects only to the B and T settings as all speeds are working as they should. All lens elements and rangefinder windows had been cleaned inside and out and are cristal clear, the only thing we visualize across the lens elements are the tiny bubbles suspended in the glass. Rangefinder works perfect but as with any device of this age care should be taken not to force the focus knob. The scale on top of the focus knob has been worn out and the reading will be approximated. The lens compartment door opens and closes smoothly, care should be taken when closing as it needs to be centered correctly due to the age of the unit. Film compartment door opens and closes freely. Bottom kickstand snaps firmly into position when flipped open or closed.
Bellows is intact and camera interior and exterior presents signs of normal use for its age, it shows some of the brass on certain external body parts. It seems like the black metal finishing specially on the lens base-plate was attempted to be re-painted once, but that paint is mostly gone and since most of the original paint is still present we decided not to remove anything or repaint and leave as is. Leather is about 95% good. Exposure guide chart in the back is still legible and in excellent condition.
We used a roll of dummy film for testing this camera, it advances and rewinds correctly however at some points it feels like it skips but we tested several cameras with the same film therefore that could be due to the film getting worn or damaged. If camera is intended for actually taking pictures care must be take as if from time to time you experience the same issue even with new film an additional frame must be jumped. This should be a well known “repairable” issue with this type of camera.
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Additional references:
There is this rumor that during the war period the factory of these cameras went into hiding and the latest production lots were given away for military and strategic use, in their hands they had trouble with the position of shutter releases as they were prone to constantly being tapped and accidentally fired therefore they trimmed the levers in favor of using cable releases. Notice that a cable release is not included with this sale but they are extremely easy to find, it will work best with a short type. Shutter lever in this camera can still be triggered since the base of the release is still present.
An additional note to the reference above is that there is no name of the plant where it was manufactured in the name plate, these cameras commonly have the plant name under the Certo Dollina logo.
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If you are a collector or just starting a collection, you want to add this camera to it! If intending it just for display this will make a rare centerpiece as it is also regarded as a little piece of history.
What you see is what you’ll get; please take a look at the pictures as they are also part of the description. Let me know if you have any questions as the item is being sold “As Is”. Sale will be final. Thanks for looking.
