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.