Kinax Baby Folding camera

Kinax Baby - Good Condition | Rare French Art Deco 620 Folding Camera

The Kinax Baby is a beautifully compact and stylish folding camera produced in France by Kinax (formerly IPOCA) during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Designed for maximum portability, this "Baby" variant is a smaller version of the standard Kinax models, featuring a striking Art Deco aesthetic with its chrome-trimmed body and elegant bellows. It was engineered to use 620 roll film, producing large 6x6 cm or 4.5x6 cm negatives (depending on the internal mask) that offer significantly more detail than standard 35mm film. With its simple yet reliable folding mechanism and high-quality French optics, the Kinax Baby is a wonderful piece of European photographic history, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage folding cameras.

Key Features

• Ultra-compact folding design for easy transport and protection of the lens and bellows

• High-quality French-made lens for classic vintage rendering and soft tonal transitions

• Large medium format negatives providing exceptional detail and enlargement potential

• Robust all-metal body with elegant Art Deco styling and chrome accents

• Fully mechanical operation requiring no batteries for any function

• Integrated waist-level or eye-level viewfinder (variant dependent) for versatile composing

Technical Specifications

• Camera Type: Folding Camera

• Film Format: 620 Roll Film (6x6 cm or 4.5x6 cm)

• Lens: Kina or Berthiot (Model dependent)

• Shutter: Manual speeds plus Bulb

• Category: Cameras ▸ Medium Format Camera

• Battery Type: No Battery Required (Fully Mechanical)

Specialist Note "The Kinax Baby is a testament to the flair of post-war French camera design. While many folding cameras from this era can feel a bit industrial, the Kinax has a certain 'chic' quality to its construction. What makes the Baby model so appealing today is its pocketable size; it’s one of the smallest cameras capable of producing such large negatives. Please note that it uses 620 film spools, which are slightly thinner than modern 120 spools. Many enthusiasts today simply respool 120 film onto 620 spools to keep these mechanical beauties clicking. It’s a tactile, rewarding experience that connects you directly to the golden age of European travel photography."

Condition Report Good condition. The camera body shows normal signs of light use and minor cosmetic surface wear on the metal edges and leatherette consistent with its vintage age. The bellows have been inspected and appear light-tight. The lens is clear, free from fungus or significant haze. The shutter mechanism has been tested and fires across the available speed settings. The folding struts operate smoothly and lock securely.

What's Included

• Kinax Baby Folding Camera

• Case