Balda Super Baldax - An early '50s rangefinder 6x6 folder camera, the top-of-the-line camera of the German Balda factory at the time.
I had to give up on repairing the Balda properly - slow speeds and self-timer are still broken. But it is still usable: speeds 1/300 to 1/25, rangefinder and the peculiar ratchet film advance/counter mechanism works perfectly.
I need another Prontor-SVS shutter for spares...
#believeinfilm #balda
A medium format black and white film photograph of "The Face Of Wigan", a 20 foot tall sculpture in stainless steel by Rick Kirby and lovingly called "Owd Big Yed" by Wigan folk.
Owd Big Yed
📷 Balda Baldax 4.5x6
🎞️ Kodak Tri-X 400
#balda #Baldax #trix400 #kodak #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography #mediumformat
A medium format black and white film photograph of the left side of the Civic Building in Wigan
Civic
📷 Balda Baldax 4.5x6
🎞️ Kodak Tri-X 400
#balda #Baldax #trix400 #kodak #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography #mediumformat
A medium format black and white film photograph showing the demolition works from Believe Square Gardens in Wigan.
The final days of Pennington's pt 2
📷 Balda Baldax 4.5x6
🎞️ Kodak Tri-X 400
#balda #Baldax #trix400 #kodak #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography #mediumformat
A medium format black and white film photograph of the former Pennington's building in Wigan being demolished.
The final days of Pennington's
📷 Balda Baldax 4.5x6
🎞️ Kodak Tri-X 400
#balda #Baldax #trix400 #kodak #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography #mediumformat
A medium format black and white film photograph of a Tower Crane aboveand behind Queens Hall Cupola, behind Wigan Bus Station. The Cupola was having scaffolding fitted ready for conservation and repair work, The Tower Crane is doing the heavy lifting at the former Galleries site building a 6 story Hotel and Apartment block.
Crane and Cupola
Balda Baldax 4.5x6
Kodak Tri-X 400
#balda #Baldax #trix400 #kodak #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography #mediumformat
A medium format black and white film photo of The Anvil Pub near Wigan Bus Station
The Anvil Pub
📷 Balda Baldax 4.5x6
🎞️ Kodak Tri-X 400
#balda #Baldax #trix400 #kodak #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography #mediumformat
A 35mm black and white film photograph of Wigan Parish Church clock tower with Lamp Post in the foreground and branches above
New Blog Post
This week I talk about taking Baldy the Baldax out for a walk.
📷 Balda baldax 4.5x6
🎞️ Tri-X 400
jimgravesphoto.blogspot.com/2026/02/koda...
#balda #Baldax #trix400 #kodak #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography #mediumformat
Photos taken with my new-to-me 1950's Balda 120 format folder at St Pancras Station and my hotel room in Kensington. Despite the shitty lens with balsam separation, this thing takes decent photos. Does anyone have any experience with swapping out lens elements?
#Balda #mediumformat #photography
This tree dies years ago and yet refuses to succumb to gravity
I'm Still Standing!
Balda Baldax
Kentmere 400
#balda #Baldax #kentmere400 #kentmerefilm #folderweek #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography
Horse sheltering from the rain under a tree. I stopped by, took a photo and had a chat with her whilst gently rubbing her nose. She seemed to appreciate the attention and soon the rain abated and she got back to some serious grazing.
Poor old gal was wet and miserable and didn't really want a photo, but appreciated a chat and a rub of her nose.
Balda Baldax
Kentmere 400
#balda #Baldax #kentmere400 #kentmerefilm #folderweek #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography
This stile is very deceptive. It looks fine on the other side, but on this side it drops an extra 2 feet.
This stile is still a struggle.
Balda Baldax
Kentmere 400
#balda #Baldax #kentmere400 #kentmerefilm #folderweek #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography
Stile leading to the footpath across the field. Recently lowered, it's easier to navigate now, but still a pain. Jim Rubbish at climbing.
Lowered Stile.
I am so grateful a rail was removed off the stile. it's still a bugger to navigate, but not as bad now.
Balda Baldax
Kentmere 400
#balda #Baldax #kentmere400 #kentmerefilm #folderweek #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm #photography
A black-and-white film photo. A giant inflatable baby with devil horns is stationed in front of a house in East Austin, Texas. Monday, October 20, 2025.
Devil Baby • Austin, Texas, USA
Balda Baldix • Kodak Tri-X 400 • 2025
#FilmPhotography #Kodak #TriX #Camera #Film120 #MediumFormat #Balda #BWfilm #Monochrome #Photography #AUS #TX #Austin #Texas #Outdoors #Street #Halloween #Spooky #Devil #Baby #Inflatable #October_20_2025
Speckled Holly Cottage photographed on Kentmere 400 using my Balda Baldax 4.5x6 folding camera for #FolderWeek
New Blog Post
This week I talk about getting out on a dark wet cold dull and gloomy day to shoot a roll of Kentmere 400 with Baldy the Baldax for #folderweek
jimgravesphoto.blogspot.com/2025/10/fold...
#Balda #Baldax #kentmere400 #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
A black-and-white film photo. A skeleton photographer poses their ghoulish subjects in this wonderful tableau in Austin, Texas. Monday, October 20, 2025.
Spooky Tableau • Austin, Texas, USA
Balda Baldix • Kodak Tri-X 400 • 2025
#FilmPhotography #Kodak #TriX #Camera #Film120 #MediumFormat #Balda #BWfilm #Monochrome #Photography #AUS #TX #Austin #Texas #Outdoors #Street #Halloween #Spooky #Tableau #October_20_2025
Plenty of tables and seats for folk to enjoy a picnic by the Spitfire.
The Lytham Spitfire
Rollei RPX 25
Balda Baldax
#rolleirpx25 #rollei #Balda #Baldax #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
Lytham Spitfire
Lytham Spitfire
The irony of photographing a Spitfire with a camera and film made in Germany is not lost on me. The film is a recent product, the camera is vintage 1933.
Rollei RPX 25
Balda Baldax
#rolleirpx25 #rollei #Balda #Baldax #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
The gaggle chasing after a chap with food.
They gaggled someone else for a bit
Rollei RPX 25
Balda Baldax
#rolleirpx25 #rollei #Balda #Baldax #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
Canada Geese at Fairhaven Lake, Lytham St Annes
A Gaggle of Hissing Cobra Chickens
Rollei RPX 25
Balda Baldax
#rolleirpx25 #rollei #Balda #Baldax #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
The tenacious Swan, attempting to charm food from me. It failed.
New Blog Post
This week I talk about shooting my first ever roll of Rollei RPX 25 black and white medium format film on a sunny afternoon at the seaside.
jimgravesphoto.blogspot.com/2025/07/roll...
#rolleirpx25 #rollei #Balda #Baldax #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
Steps
Steps
Balda Baldax
Ilford FP4
#Balda #Baldax #ilfordfp4 #ilfordphoto #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
Ornate Door in Ribchester
Ornate Door
Balda Baldax
Ilford FP4
#Balda #Baldax #ilfordfp4 #ilfordphoto #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
Luxury home on the edge of Ribchester
Luxury....
Ilford FP4
Balda Baldax
#Balda #Baldax #ilfordfp4 #ilfordphoto #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
A home in Ribchester, UK built from local sandstone.
Ribchester is full of homes like this
Balda Baldax
Ilford FP4
#Balda #Baldax #ilfordfp4 #ilfordphoto #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
My mate Keith, hunting for compositions in Ribchester.
Keith hunting for compositions.
Ilford FP4
Balda Baldax
#ilfordfp4 #ilfordphoto #Balda #Baldax #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
The Black Bull pub in Ribchester.
The Black Bull
Ilford FP4
Balda Baldax
#ilfordfp4 #ilfordphoto #Balda #Baldax #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
The White Bull Pub in Ribchester. an ancient town in Lancashire, UK.
New Blog Post
This week I talk about shooting a roll of Ilford FP4 in Baldy the Baldax during my recent visit to Ribchester with my friend Keith.
jimgravesphoto.blogspot.com/2025/06/bald...
#Balda #Baldax #ilfordfp4 #ilfordphoto #filmphotography #filmisnotdead #shootfilmbenice #believeinfilm
