New site - Wholegrain White

 

I created a new portfolio oriented webpage called "Polnozrnato bela" or in English: Wholegrain White. I would like to explore if there is any interest in analogue portraiture. Since it's local oriented, it's in Slovene language, but there are some photos in the galleries made with KMZ Horizont you may find interesting.

Ghetaldus Zagreb King Regulette

For introduction to Ghetaldus Zagreb cameras, see Ghetaldus Zagreb King Cameras page.
For information on specific camera models, click on these links: Regula IIb, Regula IIIa, Cita III, Regula L, Regulette.

Ghetaldus Regulette is by specification practically identical to Ghetaldus Regula L with Pronto shutter. Main body parts look very similar to Regula L GRL200 and may in some cases be the same, but cosmetic details and weight difference indicates the Regulette uses less metal and was probably targeted to be manufactured for even lover final price. On the bottom there is no leatherette patches and the film speed reminder is omitted. However, Regulette has a film rewind crank which simplifies and speeds up the film changing process. In later variant auto reset frame counter was added.
The Pronto shutter is mounted in a simple and visually non appealing lens barrel with a cheap look and feel aperture adjustment lever. The same Ghetaldus Ghenar 1:2.8/45 lens elements seems to be used as for the Regula L.

From the front the Regulette looks practically the same as Regula L.

• Viewfinder camera
• Bright fixed frame in the viewfinder
• Ghetaldus Zagreb Ghenar lens F/2.8 45 mm
• 3 elements 3 group
• Minimum aperture: F/16
• Pronto shutter
• 1/250 to 1/30 s + B
• Self timer
• Flash synchronization
• Dimensions
• Weight: 360 g
• 125 × 65 × 85 mm 

Based on the serial numbers I collected Regulette was indeed a successor of the Regula L since there is only a short overlap among lens serial numbers between the two models. Cronologically this was the last produced camera by Ghetaldus. All Regulettes I found came with an ever ready case marked "Regula L". The production numbers exceeded the ones of Regula L - 3500 units in comparison to 2500.
   

GRLT100

Silver shutter cocking lever and manual exposure counter reset - or better said exposure counter setting - on the bottom plate. Looks very similar to a late Regula L, but is significantly lighter since even main body frame is built out of plastic. Screws are of a different type (have bigger pitch) to better hold in plastic.

The Regulette has simple lens barrel with a cheap looking aperture setting knob

GRLT200

Black shutter cocking lever that fits the design better than the silver one since the housing rim is black and seamlessly continues. Note that this difference exists also among West Germany made (non Ghetaldus) Regulettes. 

Both showed specimen below with 10 years work at Ghetaldus anniversary engraving. Such gifts were common in the former Yugoslavia. The engraving says: "To <name> <surname> for 10 years at Ghetaldus".

Regulette GRLT200 and GRLT100, both anniversary gifts. The only difference is the film advance knob finish.

GRLT300

Silver shutter cocking lever again, no setting knob and bigger cut-out for the exposure counter. Counter auto resets when back door opens.

GRLT200 (left) and GRLT300 (right) bottom plate with exposure counter comparison.

Regulette Serial Numbers

In the table below there are all serial numbers known to me. In case there is a "*" symbol besides the Variant, the variant is an educated guess due to a lack of data.

Ghetaldus Zagreb King Regula L

For introduction to Ghetaldus Zagreb cameras, see Ghetaldus Zagreb King Cameras page.
For information on specific camera models, click on these links: Regula IIb, Regula IIIa, Cita III, Regula L, Regulette.

Based on specifications and considering only Ghetaldus King cameras, the Regula L seems to be an updated and upgraded Regula IIIa. The lens is still a triplet Ghenar, however, it's 2/3 of the F stop faster with a maximum aperture of F/2.8. The viewfinder has bright frame with a parallax correction mark and is bigger, which looks nice but has a downside in form of a significantly darker view. The shutter moved from the top plate to the lens barrel. The film reminder is still located on the film rewind knob while an exposure counter was moved to the bottom plate of the camera. Film advance and shutter cocking is performed by a lever hidden in the camera body.

Regula L (GRL100 variant) looks somehow more modern with it's clean top and shaped lens plate.

Some Regulas L are equipped with a Prontor-SVS shutter adding the slow speeds up to 1 s, which is significant improvement that would normally cause a model name change - but evidently not in Regula L's case. I have no clue about pricing difference, however, from a small serial numbers sample I gathered Prontor-SVS doesn't seem like an evolutionary change but rather coexistence of higher and lower spec models. Or even an exemption in a small production batch.

• Viewfinder camera
• Bright fixed frame in the viewfinder
• Ghetaldus Zagreb Ghenar lens F/2.8 45 mm
• 3 elements 3 group
• Minimum aperture: F/16
• Pronto shutter (or Prontor-SVS)
• 1/250 to 1/30 s + B (or 1/300 to 1 s + B for Prontor-SVS)
• Self timer
• Flash synchronization (X and M option for Prontor-SVS)
• Dimensions
• Weight: 478 g
• 125 × 65 × 85 mm  

 Regula L with warranty card and receipt. Based on quality control date and receipt date camera sat on the store shelf for half a year prior being sold on April 1962.

Evolution of Ghetaldus Regula L Production

I found Regulas L in a Ghetaldus leather case, but with a Cassar 1:2.8/45mm Steinheil München lens. At first I thought it is a coincidence and someone just replaced the ever ready case, however, I spotted several such specimens on the local internet selling sites. The L series cases are also different compared to the III series, since a hole for the exposure counter is made on the bottom side and "Regula L" is embossed on the upper part. The ones that had lens caps, had Ghetaldus ones. These Regulas L have the older style of the Regula's L body (GRL100) which was made mostly out of metal. One distinguishable feature is less leatherette like surface and more shiny metal on the front side.

It turns out there are also Ghetaldus assembled Rodenstock Trinar Regulas L.

All these Regula L cameras came in Ghetaldus cases with Ghetaldus lens caps, however, only two of them have Ghetaldus lens.

I still couldn't resist to acquire each of these "Ghetaldus Munchen" and "Ghetaldus Rodenstock" Regulas just for sake of comparing them to the Zagreb Regula L.
What I figured out is that front body metal plate design can vary in height. "Ghetaldus Munchen" and "Rodenstock" have red 10 and 3 meters engraving on the distance scale while GRL 100 and GRL 200 have all white. Presence of 20 m engraving also varies. "Munchen" and "Rodenstock" Regula uses decimal point while GRL100 and 200 use decimal comma. Distance style is different among them in decimal number size. "Munchen" and "Rodenstock" have smallest decimal numbers, GRL100 a bit bigger while there is no difference among whole and decimal number on GRL200.

Front body metal plate design: left "Ghetaldus Munchen", middle GRL100 and right GRL200. Note the High vs Low profile of the "Ghetaldus Munchen" and GRL100 lens plate and also metal band on the front that is substituted with leatherette on GRL200.

My theory is that there was a lack of three element 2.8 Ghetaldus lenses when transitioning to or in the middle of Regula L production in Zagreb. Thus imported lenses were used. All in all Regula L with Ghetaldus lens seems to be produced in the lowest number among all Ghetaldus cameras - only approximately 2500 pieces.

Distance engraving styles: left "Ghetaldus Munchen", middle GRL100 and right GRL200.

However, since Ghetaldus isn't mentioned on the "Ghetaldus Munchen" and "Ghetaldus Rodenstock"cameras itself, I don't track these cameras' serial numbers. Still, I noted down variants I spotted during my search for Yugoslav optics equipped King cameras. As seen in the table below, there is no logical connection between properties of non Ghetaldus lens equipped variants besides the fact that all have front metal band.

Bright Frame Finder

Regula L has a variant of the reverse Galilean viewfinder called bright frame finder. Framing assist lines, shaped by the metal mask, are projected to the viewfinder with a help of an ordinary and a semi transparent mirror.

Regula L (GRL100) viewfinder construction.

Underutilized Pronto Shutter

While fixing a Regula L, I discovered that the built in Pronto shutter has a delay mechanism that is in fact never used. Video below clearly demonstrates that slowest speed 1/30 s and B setting don't utilize the delay mechanism. However, when machined metal plate that engages shafts in the shutter when setting different shutter speeds is removed, delay mechanism is engaged and result is cca. 1/2 s exposure. However, due to removed part camera acts as it was set to B, but if shutter button isn't held down, timed exposure of 1/2 s is achieved.
Why didn't they machine the adjustment dial differently? Was camera "crippled" intentionally to not cannibalize sales of higher spec cameras? But which models were such competition? Was Cita III still being sold at the same time? Or was there more expensive GRL300 variant with Prontor-SVS shutter offering shutter speeds from 1 s to 1/500? Based on warranty cards dating I recently learned that Cita III was indeed still sold at the time Regula L was in production. However, it's not necessarily Ghetaldus tactic to hide the spec of the shutter - could be also the shutter manufacturer Gauthier. 

GRL100

Older style of Regula L body - less leatherette, more metal. Body with serial number at the film pressure plate. Bold font on the film memo dial with straight top on the number "3". Bright colored exposure counter set knob. Probably constructed mainly from metal parts. Pronto shutter. 

GRL100 on the left and GRL200 on the right.

 

GRL200

Regula L GRL200 variant

Pronto shutter, metal aperture knob. Body no longer has serial number. Dark colored exposure counter set knob. Sightly different design of the film chamber than GRL 100 and simplified viewfinder assembly. Viewfinder assembly is not screwed to the body but kept in place by plastic pin and the spring pressure when the top cover is mounted on the camera. Note on the image below that with Regulette viewfinder assembly is screwed in place again which suggests that GRL200 simplification wasn't proven successful.

Viewfinder assembly. Left GRL100, middle GRL200 and on the right Ghetaldus Regulette.

GRL300

Prontor-SVS shutter with shutter speeds from 1 s to 1/300 s, plastic aperture knob. Sample needed.

 

Regula L Serial Numbers

In the table below there are all serial numbers known to me. In case there is a "*" symbol besides the Variant, the variant is an educated guess due to a lack of data.

Ghetaldus Zagreb King Cita III

For introduction to Ghetaldus Zagreb cameras, see Ghetaldus Zagreb King Cameras page.
For information on specific camera models, click on these links: Regula IIb, Regula IIIa, Cita III, Regula L, Regulette.

The most advanced and feature cramped Ghetaldus camera is the Cita III. The common Regula III family body is fitted with a four element F/2.8 Ghettar lens, a Prontor-SVS shutter with slow speeds down to 1 second, a coupled rangefinder and an uncoupled Gossen light meter. The shutter and aperture settings are coupled to somehow behave like aperture priority mode, keeping the light value setting fixed while changing aperture and shutter speed. I found photos of Ghetaldus Cita III warranty card dated 1962, At that time Regula L, which succeeded Regula IIb and IIIa, was already produced, but spec-wise inferior to Cita III.

• Rangefinder camera
• Ghetaldus Zagreb Ghettar lens F/2.8 45 mm
• 4 elements 3 groups
• Minimum aperture: F/16
• Prontor_SVS shutter
• 1/300 to 1 s + B
• Self timer
• X and M flash synchronization
• Gossen light meter (uncoupled)
• Dimensions
• Weight: 630 g
• 130 ×70 × 85 mm

Cita III, variant GCIII100

On the focusing rim there are plastic ears that seems to aid grip while focusing. These ears have tendency to fall off, thus it's common to find Citas without them.
Known serial number range suggests there were a bit more than 2000 cameras produced. Variants are hard to define due to Ghetaldus Cita's scarcity and what seem to be a totally random pattern in differences. I came across 3 examples and all are different. Additionally from what is described below, distance scale engraving thickness varies among them.

Ghetaldus Cita III box with partially peeled off top layer showing another similar layer. Maybe repurposed IIb or IIIa box?

GCIII050

Two concentric lens nameplates: the outer ring with “Optička industrija "GHETALDUS" –Zagreb-” and the inner ring with “-Ghetaldus- GHETTAR 1:2,8 / 45” engraving.  A plastic aperture couple knob. The Gossen light meter with low profile cover hinges. Uneven spaced stripes on the rewind knob (the same style rewind knob as on the Regula IIb). Name engraving with roman number III that are done with single stroke. Came with interesting snap-on light meter diffuser.

GCIII050 with light meter diffuser and original box in the background.

GCIII100

Same as GCIII50 but with metal aperture couple knob. The Gossen light meter with rectangular hole on the bottom side of the cover - probably wrong setting of the tooling resulted in a hole instead of embossing. Even spaced stripes on the rewind knob (the same style rewind knob as on the Regula IIb). Roman number III with little separations between I (not a single stroke).

GCIII200

Same as GCIII100, but again with plastic aperture couple knob. Higher profile Gossen light meter cover hinges, uneven spacing on the film rewind knob. Finer teeth on the film counter dial, slightly different film advance lever handle knob (different inner circle diameter).

Comparison between GCIII100 and GCIII200 variants.

Cita III Ghetaldus Serial Numbers

In the table below there are all serial numbers known to me. In case there is a "*" symbol besides the Variant, the variant is an educated guess due to a lack of data.

Ghetaldus Zagreb King Regula IIIa

For introduction to Ghetaldus Zagreb cameras, see Ghetaldus Zagreb King Cameras page.
For information on specific camera models, click on these links: Regula IIb, Regula IIIa, Cita III, Regula L, Regulette.

The only functional difference compared to Regula IIb is the film speed memo on the rewind knob. Thus it is even more interesting that both models were produced simultaneously and I would really like to know what the original price difference of the mentioned models was. Other than that, the Regula IIIa looks a bit neater due to the black King logo and black paint filled stripes on the front plate.

• Simple viewfinder camera
• Ghetaldus Zagreb Ghenar F/3.5 45 mm lens
• 3 elements in 3 groups
• Minimum aperture: F/16
• Pronto shutter
• 1/200, 1/100, 1/50, 1/25 + B
• Self timer
• Flash synchronization 
• Dimensions
• Weight: 490 g
• 130 ×70 × 85 mm

Regula IIIa, variant RIIIa150.

GRIIIa050

“Ghetaldus-Zagreb GHENAR 1:3,5 f=4,5cm AR“ engraving on the lens name plate, conical shape of the lens focusing part. A diamond shaped indicator of selected distance and shutter speed, the “20” m distance engraved on the lens. The film speed reminder on the rewind knob. Strap lugs. With body serial number and an engraved exposure counter. Sample needed.

GRIIIa100

Same as GRIIIa050, but with printed exposure counter and without body serial number. Sample needed.

GRIIIa150

Same as GRIIIa100, but without strap lugs.

GRIIIa200

“Ghetaldus-Zagreb GHENAR 1:3,5/45“ engraving on the conical lens name plate. The focusing part is barrel shaped, still with the “20” m distance engraving. Two triangles indicating selected shutter speed and distance respectively. The red dot on the shutter speed rim located on a flattened surface (previous version has recession between two teeth painted red). Slightly different button on the film advance handle. No strap lugs.

GRIIIa225

“Ghetaldus-Zagreb GHENAR 1:3,5/45“ engraving on the straight flat lens name plate. Otherwise same as GRIIIa200.

 

GRIIIa250

Same as GRIIIa200, but without the “20” m distance engraving.

GRIIIa300

Same as GRIIIa250, but Roman characters on the camera name plate further apart.

Comparison between GRIIIa150 and GRIIIa300 variant.

Regula IIIa Ghetaldus Serial Numbers

In the table below there are all serial numbers known to me. In case there is a "*" symbol besides the Variant, the variant is an educated guess due to a lack of data.

Ghetaldus Zagreb King Regula IIb

For introduction to Ghetaldus Zagreb cameras, see Ghetaldus Zagreb King Cameras page.
For information on specific camera models, click on these links: Regula IIb, Regula IIIa, Cita III, Regula L, Regulette.

The KING Regula IIb actually doesn’t exist in other variant than with Ghetaldus Ghenar lens. The body design clearly resembles Regula III series, thus the naming is a bit strange. On the other hand the shutter and lens assembly seem to come from the King Regula II series, could be even from Regula IIa, which would explain the logic behind the naming.
Regula IIb is the simplest among Ghetaldus cameras, but still offers a flash synchronization, a self-timer, a double exposure prevention and a shutter cocking with a film advance lever. The film counter is of a deducting type.

Regula IIb, variant GRIIb250.

• Simple viewfinder camera
• Ghetaldus Zagreb Ghenar F/3.5 45 mm lens
• 3 elements in 3 groups
• Minimum aperture: F/16
• Pronto shutter
• 1/200, 1/100, 1/50, 1/25 + B
• Self timer
• Flash synchronization
• Dimensions
• Weight: 490 g
• 130 ×70 × 85 mm

For the very early examples serial number can be found on the body inside the film chamber, later it was omitted and only the lens serial numbers remained. The same form of the Ghenar lens is found on the Regula IIIa. The serial number sequence is shared among these two models indicating IIb and IIIa were manufactured side by side.

GRIIb050

 “Ghetaldus-Zagreb GHENAR 1:3,5 f=4,5cm AR“ engraving on the lens name plate, conical shape of the lens focusing part. A diamond shaped indicator of selected distance and shutter speed, a “20” m distance engraved on the lens. Engraved exposure counter. Body serial number.

GRIIb100

Same as GRIIb050, but printed exposure counter and without body serial number. Sample needed.

GRIIb200

“Ghetaldus-Zagreb GHENAR 1:3,5/45“ engraving on the conical lens name plate. The focusing part is barrel shaped, still with the “20” m distance engraving. Two triangles indicating selected shutter speed and distance respectively. A red dot on the shutter speed rim located on a flattened surface (previous version has recession between two teeth painted red). Sample needed.

GRIIb225

“Ghetaldus-Zagreb GHENAR 1:3,5/45“ engraving on the straight flat lens name plate. Otherwise same as GRIIb200.

GRIIb250

Same as the GRIIb200, but without the “20” m engraving.

GRIIb275

Even width of the bright stripes on the film rewind knob. Strange front plate finish - looks polished while all other cameras has finely textured finish.

GRIIb300

Same as the GRIIb250, but “II” engraving on the camera name plate with Roman number characters further apart.

GRIIb325 

Same as the GRIIb300 but even width of the bright stripes on the film rewind knob.

Potential additional variants

Additional oddity is the 05625 Regula IIb that has film speed memo on the rewind knob. The film speed memo seems to be the only functional difference among IIb and IIIa, thus I strongly doubt the rewind knob is original on the mentioned camera. Or could it be an assembly mistake?
There seem to be slight changes in arrow on the exposure counter knob, distance scale and DOF engraving style. Some cameras have thicker engraving. Not enough cameras were examined to confirm this isn't a production variation. Production variation is also a knurled focusing rim on the lens that varies in ridge depth and density.

Regula IIb Ghetaldus Serial Numbers

In the table below there are all serial numbers known to me. In case there is a "*" symbol besides the Variant, the Variant was assigned based on an educated guess due to a lack of data.

Seems that a small batch of miss-engraved cameras was made since low serial number really doesn't make any sense for GRIIb300 and GRIIb250.

Ghetaldus Zagreb King Cameras

For information on specific camera models, click on these links: Regula IIb, Regula IIIa, Cita III, Regula L, Regulette.

I admire work that has been done by many camera collectors sharing information about vintage cameras and their variants. Thus I decided it’s time to make a contribution. Luckily there are still an uncovered niches in the camera collecting world and one of them especially interests me – cameras made in (former) Yugoslavia.

Some years ago I stumbled upon a simple camera that didn’t interest me at all until I noticed the engraving on the lens – Ghetaldus Zagreb. Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia, former republic of Yugoslavia and neighbor country of Slovenia, where I come from. 
The company, whose name the lens wears, still exists in Zagreb, Croatia. Unfortunately, It seems that only a prescription glasses selling business survived, but in the golden ages of socialism the company produced optic equipment such as microscopes, prescription lenses and, as it seems, also camera lenses. After the fall of Yugoslavia, Ghetaldus divided into many branches and the production entities slowly went bankrupt.

Ghetaldus produced sports eyewear among other optical products. [1]

Yugoslavia's import duties were very high to encourage domestic production. However, the fact was cleverly turned into profit by some firms with importing partly assembled goods and finishing them inside the country (e.g. some Yugoslav computer manufacturers and TAS Volkswagen factory). Ghetaldus may have establish that kind of business deal with the West German camera manufacturer Regula-Werk King KG that made the camera line named Regula. To which extent the cameras were actually made in Yugoslavia is unfortunately unknown to me. On the bottom of the camera it is actually written "Made in Germany". But the lenses itself are clearly unique, the lens caps and leather ever-ready cases wear Ghetaldus logo, cases even have metal buttons from TKG Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Metal Ghetaldus lens cap with factory logo.

The Model Lineup

So far I have come across the following cameras wearing Ghetaldus lenses (click on a link to open subpage):
•    Regula IIb  
•    Regula IIIa
•    Cita III
•    Regula L
•    Regulette

Regulas IIb and IIIa are kind of easy to find nowadays on a former Yugoslavian territory. They were made in relatively high quantities for such a small market. Serial numbers suggest that altogether cca 13000 of Regula IIb and IIIa cameras were produced.

Advert from 1959 saying: "We are hereby informing all citizens that on June 16th this year the Central national bank released under the number 270/10 an internal guidance to all its subsidiaries saying that Regula cameras belong to a list of products for which buyers may get bank loan. Buy Regula cameras in a stores using bank loans." [2]

It’s much harder to find a Cita III. Probably the camera was far more expensive and thus less popular. Based on serial numbers I recorded it seems not much more than 2000 examples were made. Regula L and Regulette serial numbers shows that there was approximately 2500 and 3500 cameras produced. In my opinion they were introduced too late and never really caught up with East German and Soviet cameras widely available in the sixties across Yugoslavia. However, there were also some Regulas L assembled (or perhaps only imported and equipped with accessories) with german lenses by Ghetaldus factory, as one can find them with Ghetaldus branded lens caps and leather cases.

Regula L given to the Ghetaldus employee at 10 years work anniversary, Ghetaldus pin and keychain.

So far I was able to precisely date three cameras:

• Regula IIb sn 04183 production date March 10th 1959
• Cita III sn 33919 production date February 22nd 1962
• Regula L sn 56454 warranty card date October 16th 1961
  

In the links provided above you can find model descriptions and my own classification of the variants. Any help is highly appreciated – if you own a camera with Ghetaldus lens, please, share the serial number and the variant with me via the email address below.

 

Useful Links and image resources

 

cjs-classic-cameras - website with a lot of King cameras mentioning and showing Ghetaldus IIIa and IIb.

[1] Poster for Ghetaldus, famous Croatian glasses; design by Vladimir Fleck, unknown year. Source: "Good choice", exhibition catalog, examples of commercial advertising from 1950s and 1960s: Marinko Sudac Collection, 2014. Found on Pinterest.
[2] http://jna-sfrj.forum-aktiv.com/t3552p400-slike-iz-ex-yu-drugi-dio-teme